Direktorenzimmer im Bauhausgebäude Dessau - Rekonstruktion des Zustands um 1926 (um 1926) by Walter Gropius (Architektur, Möbeldesign) / Hinnerk Scheper (Farbgestaltung) / Diverse Gestalter aus dem Bauhaus (Objekte im Regal)Conference of National Cultural Institutions
Ever wished you could have a Michelangelo mural in your main hall? Or wanted to bring some Bauhaus brilliance to your curated kitchen? Scroll on to discover decorating tips from museums, churches, houses, and more from around the world.
The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, RomeTouring Club Italiano
1. The Sistine Chapel
Built between 1473 and 1481, The Sistine Chapel is located in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City. The walls of the chapel were decorated by a slew of famous Renaissance painters including Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Rosselli.
Pai Michelangelo. Sistine Chapel.LIFE Photo Collection
However, it’s for the ceiling, painted by Michelangelo at the start of the 16th century, that the building is best known. This incredible work is credited with changing the course of western art and is considered one of greatest artistic achievements of all time. Every day, around 25,000 people visit the chapel, making it one of the most viewed interiors in the world.
Hagia Sophia year 537 XIV (2014/2014) by Ola KolehmainenBorusan Contemporary
2. The Hagia Sofia
If you prefer mosaics to frescos, look no further than the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul for inspiration. The building’s spectacular interior is adorned with a number of intricate and elaborate mosaics, most of which were completed between the 10th and 12th centuries.
Most of the mosaics have iridescent gold backgrounds. This reflects light around the building and helps to create a wonderful atmosphere. When the Ottomans took Istanbul in 1453, they covered many of these mosaics in plaster. However, most have since been restored, allowing visitors to experience the full glory of this incredible interior.
Concert Room of Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam, Germany (1852) by Eduard GaertnerCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
3. Sanssouci Palace
Built by Prussian King Frederick the Great as his summer palace, Sanssouci is an elaborate Rococo style building surrounded by landscaped gardens, temples and follies. Inside, its rooms are opulent and extravagant. The Marmorsaal, or Marble Hall, comes complete with white marble columns and a domed ceiling crowed with a cupola.
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The dining room is decorated with paintings by French masters and almost all rooms enjoy sweeping views of the gardens. If you like rich, sumptuous interiors, Sanssouci Palace is a fantastic place to come for inspiration.
Pope-Leighey House by Lincoln BarbourNational Trust for Historic Preservation
4. Pope-Leighey House
Our next interior is on a slightly different scale. Designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this beautiful home is located in a small wooded grove in Virginia, US. The house was designed to offer affordable, high quality housing for people of ‘moderate means’.
Pope-Leighey House by Lincoln BarbourNational Trust for Historic Preservation
The huge windows and spacious rooms made the property a great space to live in and set the benchmark for modern architecture. A lot of the furniture in the property is built in. This creates even more space and gives the inside of the property a unique mid-century modern appearance.
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5. Sao Bento Station
Located in the heart of Porto, Portugal, Sao Bento Station has to be one of the most beautiful terminals in the world. Built in the early 20th century, the walls of the station are covered in tiled murals depicting important moments from the country’s history.
"Piano Porto 2015" - First 24-hour piano marathon in Portugal (2015) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto
The station is within Porto’s UNESCO World Heritage area and is a fantastic place to visit if you love tiles - and Portuguese azulejos in particular.
Eurailpass In Europe (Train Travel) (1970-07) by Carlo BavagnoliLIFE Photo Collection
Learn more about Porto here.
