House of Mirrors

This New York retreat by design firm Axis Mundi, gives new meaning to the concept of a house reflecting its surrounding landscape.

June 3rd, 2008

Axis Mundi is a super-hip, multi-disciplinary design firm based in New York. Its founder John Beckmann is globally recognised for his modernist mind, and thoughtful, unconventional design and architecture. This is surely evident in this featured project.

Romantically labelled ’Weekend Retreat for a Writer’, this fantastical house is fully clad in external mirrors, but fools a viewer into seeing an almost transparent, ghostly woodboard cottage.

Custom designed for a client in the Hudson Valley, the house is situated on 7 acres, and was originally built in 1860. In need of a serious overhaul, Axis Mundi were commissioned to turn the dilapidated saltbox into a luxurious, inspirational hidaway. They succeeded.

Once past the smoke and mirrors, the inside of the abode is even more impressive. Flooded with light, this modern fairytale house would relieve even the worse case of writers block.

http://www.axismundi.com/

INDESIGN is on instagram

Follow @indesignlive

The Indesign Collection

A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers

Emma Hayes

Autex Acoustics

Native Collection

GH Commercial

Mart Armchair Collection

Space

Husk Armchair

Space

Indesign Our Partners

Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!

Making connections

Making connections

JLL continues to shine as the go-to resource for an all-inclusive solution.

We the Makers: Godfrey Hirst is partnering with the National Wool Museum to uncover the next big name in Sustainable Fashion

We the Makers: Godfrey Hirst is partnering with the National Wool Museum to uncover the next big name in Sustainable Fashion

A longstanding partnership turns a historic city into a hub for emerging talent

Raw Edges for Established & Sons reimagine parquetry with Tongue & Groove

Raw Edges for Established & Sons reimagine parquetry with Tongue & Groove

London-based design duo Raw Edges have joined forces with Established & Sons and Tongue & Groove to introduce Wall to Wall – a hand-stained, “living collection” that transforms parquet flooring into a canvas of colour, pattern, and possibility.

Shaping Australian design culture for 25 years with Living Edge CEO Aidan Mawhinney

Shaping Australian design culture for 25 years with Living Edge CEO Aidan Mawhinney

For Aidan Mawhinney, the secret ingredient to Living Edge’s success “comes down to people, product and place.” As the brand celebrates a significant 25-year milestone, it’s that commitment to authentic, sustainable design – and the people behind it all – that continues to anchor its legacy.

Related Stories

Concrete revolution – 5 ground breaking poured concrete structures

Ideas

Concrete revolution – 5 ground breaking poured concrete structures

Gillian Serisier rounds up 5 outstanding examples of poured concrete structures. Prepare to be wowed by seamless stretches of materiality.

Indesign In Focus: Warm Finishes

Indesign In Focus: Warm Finishes

Nothing beats the texture and warmth of natural beautiful timbers. Featuring woods in any interior is equally good for our wellbeing and the environment when sourced sustainably. This week’s Indesign In Focus brings to you an array of warm finishes.

News

JSB Lighting Showroom Launch

The opening of a slick new space for lighting (and party) specialists JSB was the VIP hot-ticket in Melbourne last week

Spring Orchard by Gloss Creative

Spring has sprung early at Melbourne GPO with a refreshing installation by Gloss Creative, writes Linda Cheng.

While you were sleeping

The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed

In the spotlight at the 2025 INDE.Awards

News

In the spotlight at the 2025 INDE.Awards

Projects and people from across our region were certainly prominent at the 2025 INDE.Awards gala and in particular, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand made their presence felt.

Retirement living that feels “grounded, adaptable and unapologetically architectural”

Retirement living that feels “grounded, adaptable and unapologetically architectural”

Designed by DKO, the latest Ingenia Lifestyle Element resident clubhouses at Fullerton Cove and Natura at Port Stephens focus on the lifestyle needs of a changing over-55s demographic.

A winning appointment

A winning appointment

Leading by design, Erik L’Heureux has recently taken the helm of Monash University’s Department of Architecture, and so a new and exciting journey begins for both L’Heureux and the University.

Saturday Indesign 2025: Your guide to what’s on!

Ideas

Saturday Indesign 2025: Your guide to what’s on!

Melbourne is the destination and Saturday 6th September is the date – get ready for this year’s one-day design extravaganza with a full guide to what’s on.