Golden Reflections: Luminux® Mirror Transforms Bar at Ayah Restaurant, NYC

Where Old-World Warmth Meets Modern Material Innovation

At 77 West Houston Street in SoHo, the newly opened Ayah Restaurant immerses guests in a sensual Moroccan-inspired interior — a sanctuary of arched alcoves, glowing brass tones, and the scent of spiced citrus and mint.

Designed by Delphine Mauroit of DM Design, the space invites diners to linger in a world that feels simultaneously ancient and fresh.

“Luminux helped us at DMDesign to create something special at Ayah, different from anything else. Instead of a typical backsplash mirror, we could do any pattern or scale, and we’re always happy to find different, original materials to add to our projects.” -Delphine Mauroit, Principal at DMDesign & Architecture

One of the most striking focal points is the arched bar installation, where three gleaming mirror panels—crafted from Luminux’s “Gold Origami” pattern—cascade behind the bottles like folded metal leaves in motion.

• Two panels measure 59.25”H x 40.5”W, and the central piece rises to 71.25”H x 40.5”W.

• The pattern scale, carefully tested at 4”, 7”, and 10”, ultimately settled at 7”—a size that balances texture with elegance.

The result is a layered golden wall that bends light, depth, and reflection—echoing the shimmer of Moroccan brass lanterns with the precision and resilience of modern materials.

 “Luminux had a pattern in their library that fit the concept perfectly, helping transport you to Morocco with its reflective touch.” - Delphine Mauroit

Design in Motion: The Advantages of Luminux Bar Mirror

What makes this installation stand out isn’t just its visual drama—it’s the technical intelligence behind it.

Traditional antique mirror glass, while beautiful, would have been heavy, fragile, and difficult to fit into Ayah’s tight arches. Instead, Luminux—a mirror-like aluminum alloy panel—provided a seamless solution that married luxury with practicality:

• Lightweight and easy to handle: Each sheet weighs under 10 lbs., making it ideal for overhead or intricate applications.

• On-site cut and drill: Installers customized each panel directly on location for a perfect arched fit—without risk of cracking.

• Structural adaptability: Because Luminux can be modified for shelving bracket installation, the bar's bottle shelf hardware was secured directly through the Luminux panels for front face mounting, a most difficult and costly on-site glass alteration.

• Durable and safe: Unlike traditional mirrored glass, Luminux resists shattering and is free of VOCs, offering both eco-conscious and safety benefits.

Lighting, Reflection, and Atmosphere

In a dim, moody restaurant like Ayah, light is precious. Luminux panels transform low ambient light into a warm, diffuse glow, amplifying the perception of space and movement. The Gold Origami finish—inspired by folded paper—creates subtle geometric distortions that animate the bar’s backdrop as guests move past, turning reflection into a kinetic experience.

The mirrors also serve a psychological function: in hospitality design, reflective surfaces expand perceived volume, enhance intimacy, and elevate mood through dynamic light behavior.

A Collaboration Between Art, Design, and Engineering

For Delphine Mauroit and her team, working with Luminux offered both artistic freedom and technical reliability. After receiving multiple samples, the team selected the Origami Gold for its balance of luxury and cultural resonance.

The digital printing process used by Luminux allowed them to fine-tune the pattern scale before final production—a workflow more aligned with architectural metals than with fragile decorative glass.

This ability to prototype visually and technically made the design process both efficient and creative—qualities that modern interior designers increasingly prioritize.

Inspiration for Designers

The Ayah installation exemplifies how reflective metals are reshaping contemporary hospitality design: they replace breakable glass, introduce new light dynamics, and allow custom artistry at architectural scale.

For interior designers, Luminux represents a new medium between fine art and fabrication—a way to express mood and identity through printable, customizable metal surfaces that are lightweight, sustainable, and endlessly versatile.

Whether in elevator cabs, feature walls, ceiling sculptures, or bar alcoves, Luminux panels bring reflective life to spaces that demand both beauty and durability.