Introduction

Chatsworth is a compelling place to reflect on design.

Wherever you look, at Chatsworth, the house looks back. At every step, you find yourself reflected. Silver-grey in an ancient mirror. A ghostly shape in polished wood. Distorted in the graceful curves of a silver coffeepot. Wobbling on the surface of a garden pool. 

Over the course of nearly 500 years, the house and its surroundings have been transformed many times over. Each generation of the Devonshire family has put their stamp on the property, in a constant pursuit of expression. You’ll see a tradition of innovation in each room, in displays of Old Master drawings, and in unique pieces of furniture. 

Our 2023 exhibition Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth continued this exploration and featured recent and commissioned works by sixteen international designers. Each responded to one of Chatsworth’s spaces, either indoors or outside in the garden.

They were chosen for the way that they reflected upon some of the key issues of our time: climate, sustainability, equality, and how we connect to each other. The installations responded to Chatsworth's history while adding new insight. 

The participating designers were a diverse group, from all over the world. Their creativity felt right at home at Chatsworth. It is both a historic house and an incomparable setting for the new. 

Below is a room-by-room guide to the pieces that were on display in the house and garden.  

Learn more

All works courtesy Friedman Benda, New York, and the artists; apart from works by Max Lamb and Jay Sae Jung Oh courtesy of the artists and Salon 94 Design, New York; and Ndidi Ekubia courtesy of Adrian Sassoon, London.

Joseph Walsh works, Joris Laarman Maker Bench (Hexagon), and historic works are from the Devonshire Collections.

Mirror Mirror is produced in collaboration with Friedman Benda with support from Salon 94 Design and Adrian Sassoon. The exhibition is co-curated by Glenn Adamson, previously Director of the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, and Head of Research at the V&A, London.

Our official media partner is Dezeen. Our headline arts sponsor is Sotheby’s.

All imagery copyright of Chatsworth House Trust/ Devonshire Collections

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