Chris Yerolemou’s path from investment banking to artisanal millwork might seem unlikely, but it has shaped the way Axos Design has quietly become one of New York’s most sought-after fabrication firms. Growing up around his father’s small manufacturing shop, Yerolemou witnessed the meticulous craft of skilled woodworkers while also seeing the gaps in structure, marketing and scalable systems. That early exposure, combined with his experience in finance, gave him a unique lens: one that blends analytical rigor with a respect for traditional craftsmanship.
Under Yerolemou’s leadership, Axos has brought museum-quality precision to a range of high-profile projects—from Avra Madison to Le Bar Penelope, Aime Leon Dore, Crane Club, Avra Rockefeller, and private residences by Mojo Stumer. The firm’s signature custom finishes, burnishing, and proprietary wood–metal treatments have helped distinguish these spaces in a competitive landscape, earning trust among New York’s leading architects and designers.
Now, with a new 30,000-square-foot Long Island City factory complementing its existing 10,000-square-foot workshop, Axos is poised to expand both capacity and innovation. The facility combines advanced machinery, dedicated R&D zones, and artificial intelligence–enhanced manufacturing and tracking, offering a space where tradition and technology intersect to elevate the craft, the process, and the final product.
In conversation with DNN, Yerolemou explains how he leverages his banking background to scale artisanal work, and how his new Long Island City facility fuses Artificial intelligence with traditional woodworking to transform New York’s most celebrated interiors.
Data-driven decision-making
DNN: You started out in investment banking before leading Axos Design. What prompted that shift from finance to craftsmanship, and how has your background influenced the way you approach running the company today?
CY: I grew up around my father’s small, old-school manufacturing shop. His craftsmanship was exceptional, but the business lacked structure, marketing, and scalable systems. When I realized how underserved the New York millwork industry was—largely dominated by aging owners and outdated operations—I saw an opportunity to modernize and build something bigger.
I never expected to leave investment banking, but when we were approached for the Avra Beverly Hills project, I recognized a pivotal moment. If we could manufacture in New York and deliver seamlessly in Los Angeles, it would prove our capability and elevate our position in the market.
My finance background shaped how I run Axos today: data-driven decision-making, analytical problem-solving under pressure, strong relationship building, and the discipline to negotiate and close complex projects. Those skills translate across industries, and they’ve been invaluable in scaling the company.
The fabric of the city
DNN: From Avra Madison to Aime Leon Dore and Le Bar Penelope, Axos’ work is quietly shaping many of New York’s most recognizable interiors. How did the company grow into a trusted partner for so many leading architects and designers?
CY: Our early partnerships with Tao Group and Avra gave us the runway to prove ourselves. From the beginning, we treated every project as both a responsibility and an opportunity—delivering exceptional craftsmanship, staying on schedule, and ensuring the client experience was seamless.
In this industry, word of mouth is powerful. When you consistently build beautiful spaces and make clients happy, your reputation grows organically. Each project becomes a stepping stone to the next.
We’ve focused on nurturing long-term relationships while developing new ones, always leveraging our expanding portfolio as proof of what we can deliver. That consistency is what ultimately made Axos a trusted partner for leading architects and designers across New York.
Manufacturing in Long Island City
DNN: The new 30,000-square-foot factory in Long Island City is a major step for Axos. What motivated the expansion, and how does it reflect the company’s next phase of growth?
CY: The expansion was essential for our next stage of growth. We outgrew our original 10,000-square-foot facility far faster than expected, taking on major projects that required us to temporarily rent additional space just to keep up with demand. I knew the sales pipeline and relationships were strong—there were entire lines of business we hadn’t even begun to tap.
The new 30,000-square-foot Long Island City factory brings everything under one roof. It will serve as our central manufacturing hub for both residential and commercial work across New York and Long Island. More importantly, it’s designed as a state-of-the-art, experiential space where architects, designers, and clients can walk the floor, interact with materials, and see their projects come to life.
This expansion isn’t just about capacity—it’s about elevating the creative process and positioning Axos for its next decade of growth. It reflects our vision: scaling intelligently while elevating the craft and making the journey more interactive and intimate for our partners.
Tech and traditional craftsmanship
DNN: You’ve said the new facility will use artificial intelligence to enhance manufacturing and tracking. How do you see technology and traditional craftsmanship working together in your process?
CY: Blending AI with traditional craftsmanship is a thoughtful, step-by-step process. You can’t overhaul an operation overnight—especially one with a skilled workforce that has relied on the same methods for years. Sometimes you need to introduce technology gradually; other times you make decisive changes. It depends on the workflow and the project.
We integrate new systems by testing them on smaller, manageable assignments before rolling them out across the entire operation. This minimizes disruption and protects the speed and quality of our existing processes. Minimizing disruption is critical—especially on commercial projects with firm opening dates. Every week a space isn’t operational represents lost revenue for the client, and that’s something I deeply understand from my banking background.
So while we’re committed to modernizing and integrating new technology, we can’t jeopardize deadlines or interrupt production, particularly when the factory is running at full capacity. It’s a constant balancing act: implementing meaningful improvements while protecting the efficiency and reliability our clients depend on. Especially when the factory is working at overcapacity and each situation is key.
Change can be challenging for any team, particularly in a craft-driven industry, but we’ve strengthened our workforce with younger talent who embrace innovation. Over time, that balance—respecting tradition while leveraging technology—positions us to work smarter, faster, and with even greater precision.
DNN: Millwork has a reputation for being a heritage craft. How do you preserve that artisanal quality while modernizing your methods and scaling production?
CY: Millwork is inherently a heritage craft, and we treat that legacy with respect. The goal isn’t to replace the artisanal quality—it’s to protect it. We modernize the processes around the craft, not the craft itself.
By integrating technology in areas like tracking, planning, and workflow efficiency, we give our craftsmen more time to focus on what truly matters: precision, detail, and the human touch that defines great woodwork.
We invest in advanced machinery, yes, but we also invest heavily in training and mentorship so the next generation understands both the technical and artistic sides of the trade. Scaling doesn’t mean diluting the craftsmanship—it means creating smarter systems that support it.
In the end, our growth is built on that balance: old-world skill supported by new-world tools.
DNN: Axos is known for its custom finishes, wood-metal blends, and proprietary treatments. How will the new factory allow your team to experiment further with materials and design innovation?
CY: Our new facility gives us the space, equipment, and controlled environment needed to push material innovation even further. Custom finishes, wood–metal blends, and proprietary treatments require precision—and that precision is much easier to achieve when you have dedicated zones for spraying, curing, metalwork, and advanced fabrication under one roof.
With 30,000 square feet, we can now create fully equipped R&D areas where our team can test new stains, explore unconventional material pairings, and experiment with techniques without disrupting active production lines. That freedom is essential for true innovation.
The expanded space also allows closer collaboration between our designers, craftsmen, and engineers. When ideas move quickly from sketch to prototype, creativity accelerates. Ultimately, the new factory lets us take more risks, refine more processes, and continue elevating the custom work clients expect from Axos.
Brand collaborations
DNN: You’ve worked on projects like Kith Ivy, Avra Rockefeller, and private residences by Mojo Stumer. What does successful collaboration look like when you’re working with creative partners at that level?
CY: Successful collaboration at that level starts with alignment. Designers and architects come in with a clear vision, and our role is to help translate that vision into something structurally sound, buildable, and beautifully executed.
It’s a constant dialogue—understanding their aesthetic priorities, offering technical guidance, and problem-solving together when challenges arise. Transparency, responsiveness, and trust are essential. When everyone feels heard and respected, the creative process becomes fluid.
Ultimately, the best partnerships happen when we elevate each other’s work. We bring deep material knowledge, production expertise, and logistical discipline; they bring bold concepts and design intent. When those strengths merge, you get remarkable spaces like Kith Ivy and Avra Rockefeller—projects where the craftsmanship and creativity reinforce each other seamlessly.
Made in the USA
DNN: You’ve chosen to keep all production in the United States. Why is that important to you, and what impact does it have on the way clients experience your work?
CY: Keeping all production in the United States is a deliberate decision rooted in quality, control, and accountability. When everything is made under one roof, we can monitor every detail—from material sourcing to finishing to installation. That level of oversight ensures consistency and allows us to solve issues in real time rather than across time zones.
It also creates a more transparent, collaborative experience for clients. They can visit the factory, see their pieces being built, and interact directly with the craftsmen working on their project. That connection builds trust and elevates the entire process.
Beyond that, manufacturing domestically supports local jobs, strengthens regional supply chains, and ensures we meet the high standards New York’s design community expects. The result is a smoother workflow, faster turnaround, and a final product clients feel deeply connected to.
Keeping production in the United States allows us to maintain total control over quality and timelines, but it also positions us strategically as global supply chains become more complicated. Import taxes and rising logistics costs have made overseas production less attractive, especially for clients who need reliability and speed.
By keeping everything local, we can offer faster turnarounds, closer collaboration, and a higher level of accountability. Clients can visit the factory, see progress firsthand, and engage directly with our team. It’s a better experience, a more efficient operation, and increasingly, a competitive advantage.
DNN: As demand for Axos continues to grow, how do you maintain the precision and quality that define your reputation while operating at a larger scale?
CY: Scaling without sacrificing quality comes down to disciplined systems and an unwavering commitment to craft. Growth doesn’t mean cutting corners—it means building smarter infrastructure around the work.
We maintain precision by investing in talent, training, and technology. The right machinery helps us increase capacity, but it’s our craftsmen—their experience, technique, and eye for detail—that ensure every piece meets our standards. We protect that by hiring carefully, mentoring consistently, and keeping our quality controls tight at every stage.
As we grow, we double down on process. Clear documentation, real-time tracking, and efficient communication keep projects running smoothly even at higher volumes. And because everything remains under our direct oversight, we can identify issues early and correct them quickly.
Ultimately, scaling is not about producing more—it’s about producing more without ever compromising what defines us. That discipline is what keeps Axos at the level our clients expect.
Looking forward and reflecting back
DNN: Any closing remarks about how do you see the new Long Island City facility shaping the future of Axos Design and its role in New York’s luxury interiors landscape?
CY: The new Long Island City facility is a turning point for Axos. It gives us the space, technology, and capacity to operate at a truly elevated level—both in scale and in creativity. With 30,000 square feet, we can take on more ambitious projects, prototype faster, and explore new materials and finishes without interrupting day-to-day production.
It also establishes Axos as a central hub for New York’s design community. Designers, architects, and clients can visit, collaborate, and experience the process firsthand. That level of transparency and immersion strengthens relationships and elevates the final product.
Looking ahead, this facility positions us to lead the next chapter of luxury interiors in New York—where craftsmanship, innovation, and efficiency are all equally prioritized. It’s not just an expansion of space; it’s an expansion of possibility.
DNN: Ok, one more question – When you look back on your journey from finance to design and fabrication, what’s been the most unexpected or rewarding part of building a company at the intersection of business and craft?
CY: I never expected to end up in this world—I thought my career would stay in investment banking. The most rewarding part has been watching Axos grow into something larger than I imagined and seeing the people within it grow as well. Creating opportunities for our team, watching them develop professionally and personally, has been incredibly fulfilling.
And then there’s the work itself. Seeing a space evolve from drawings to a fully realized environment is uniquely gratifying. When homeowners thank us for building a place where they’ll make family memories, or when a restaurant comes alive with energy and people enjoying the atmosphere we helped create—it reminds me why this business is so special.
That intersection of craft, creativity, and impact makes every project worth it.It feels like the different parts of my journey—my banking and derivative trading experiences, my work ethic shaped by immigrant parents who selflessly worked to try a give me an opportunity to do better, and the creative world of fabrication—have all aligned. Seeing spaces evolve from drawings to fully realized environments, and watching people enjoy and live in what we’ve built, is deeply rewarding. It’s the intersection of craft, business, and purpose—and that’s what keeps me energized for what’s ahead.
