The Leighton House Museum - a beautiful little gem tucked away just south of Holland Park, Kensington.
Victorian artist Frederic Lord Leighton (1830-1896) commission the architect George Aitchison to build him a combined home and studio in the 1860's. Opened to the public in 1929, this house/museum gives an interesting insight to Leighton, and his passion for art and beauty from all across the globe.
It's a real miss match of beautiful things, and if you're a bit of a magpie like me, you'll fall in love with the space the moment you step through the door. You can find a vast array of works by Leighton and his contemporaries throughout the building, but the most striking and interesting room is definitely the Arab Hall - just on the left as you make your way inside. Said to be inspired from the palace of La Zisa in Palermo, the room is decorated with stunning intricate mosaics, an array of strikingly colourful Islamic tiles and an elaborately painted golden domed ceiling - this is easily the best room in the house.
It's open everyday except Tuesdays and make sure to look out for Friday lates, where you can wander around the museum until 9pm with a glass of wine in hand whilst enjoying live music!
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