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Ever wanted to spend a night immersed the outdoors, without having to ‘rough it’?
After a stint in Europe, DSTNTN co-founders Dee Gligorevic and Vana Dimu were captivated by some of the architectural mirrored getaways that seemed to offer the best of both worlds. The reflective retreat captured nature at every turn and had all the luxuries of a mini hotel.
‘Back home, we saw an opportunity to create transportable, eco-conscious, mirror-clad homes that could disappear into Australia’s most breathtaking landscapes,’ Vana says.
What they came up with is DSTNTN’s first accommodation: a 19-square-metre mirrored home nestled into the historic Tara Rise gardens in the Yarra Valley, about an hour away from Melbourne.
The striking rectangular structure features insulated tempered glass panels that reflect the beautiful surrounds for the outside world. But inside, there’s an ultra-comfortable bed, kitchen, and shower, all with panoramic views of the ever-changing landscape and towering Californian Redwood trees.
‘We did a letterbox drop to select destinations we felt would be a natural fit for our mirror homes — places with character, beauty, and soul,’ Vana says. Tara Rise’s owner, Siobhan Forbes, instantly saw potential in becoming a host, giving visitors newfound access to stay at the historic property, which is one of the region’s oldest and most beautiful gardens.
Vana says it took several months of research and another six months of work with builders Alphaline Tiny Homes to bring ‘Australia’s first mirror home’ to life.
‘Building a mirrored home on wheels came with its fair share of challenges, and we quickly learned why this much mirrored glass isn’t typically used on mobile structures,’ she adds.
‘Nothing tested us quite like getting a 3-metre-wide mirrored home down a winding driveway that barely cleared 3.4 metres with heritage gardens on both sides and no margin for error.’
The solar-powered retreat was designed to have minimal impact on the landscape by being elevated on a timber deck, where an extra large outdoor bath, a fire pit, and a projector (complete with 20 classic films) awaits.
‘Our vision was for guests to feel a world away in the comfort of the mirror home, while being just minutes from one of Victoria’s most celebrated wine regions — a seven-minute drive to Levantine Hill and neighbouring wineries,’ Vana says.
They’ve thought of everything to help you switch off: from a selection of board games to the Nespresso machine, cosy robes, and even a pair of fluffy DSTNTN slippers that you can take home. Dreamy!
