House of Mirrors

House of Mirrors

Whimsical designs made with mirror mosaic tiles adorn the walls & floors of this house museum. Many people even those who reside in Kuwait are not completely aware of ‘The House of Mirrors’ or “Hall of Mirrors”. However this is really an incredible wealth of art, so accessible to the public at large and it is worth the visit. Also called, the Mirror House, it is the only house in the world that is entirely covered with Mirror Mosaic, done by a single artist!

This “House of Mirrors” belongs to the pioneer Kuwaiti Artists Khalifa and Lidia Al-Qattan and it is now considered as a Museum, as the wife of the renowned Kuwaiti artist has turned their house into a work of art using broken pieces of glass to decorate the outside and inside of the house.

Located in Qadsiya, the house is still a private property so appointments have to be made prior for weekday visits. Approximately 100 tonnes of white cement and 75 tonnes of mirror have been used in the making of the mirror mosaics that spangle the outside and inside of this residential house.

The House of Mirrors belongs to Italian born Lidia al-Qattan, sculptor, jeweler and a painter, who is married to Khalifa al-Qattan, a renowned Kuwaiti artist. Their little daughter, Jalila, had broken a mirror and the superstitious belief is that not to keep broken mirrors at home as it supposed to bring misfortune to the family.

But for Lidia these broken glasses inspired her to do something artistic and from the shreds, she made a glass art which was appreciated by Mr. Khalifa after returning from his business trip. Whenever he travels, Mr. Khalifa then started to bring artistic pieces. A heavy termites infestation caused heavy damage to the glass arts which almost made the duo to stop their art and thought of selling the house, but with their resolve and enthusiasm they found a way out for the termites and continued their artistic works.