Interior Design in Seattle

After you arrive, you’ll be right back out the door again to study interior design and architecture and get to know the city with a tour from the Seattle Architectural Foundation. You’ll take a trip back through the Roaring Twenties, first stopping at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and checking out the art deco on the inside and out of that building, and then carrying on to other buildings in the same style.

Today you’ll be stretching your legs after a quick stop at the Ballard Historical Society to pick up a brochure to guide you on a walking tour. Ballard used to be a separate town but is now part of Seattle, but much of what made Ballard unique has been remarkably well preserved. On the walking tour, you’ll get to see architectural styles ranging from Neoclassical to Second Empire Baroque to Renaissance to Romanesque. The walking tour will provide you with a deep dive in the nuanced differences of these architectural styles as well as a look inside to see how the difference outside effect differences outside.

You’ll get to see the latest and greatest in interior design when you take a walk through the Seattle Design Center showrooms. With over twenty different spaces and designers’ works on display, you’ll see something a little different in every room you enter, with a focus on more contemporary works. You might find some inspiration for your own home as you walk through, or if you are a budding designer, you might get the spark of an idea for a creation of your own.

Today you’ll be experiencing minimalism at its finest. The Nordic Museum combines the minimalism of Nordic architecture and interior design with culture and history of the five Nordic countries. Pay close attention to the outside of the building as well as the exhibits inside. No detail is spared in the silvery zinc-plated exterior nor the vastness of the interior. If you’d like to learn a little more about art common in interior design in Nordic cultures and try your hand at it, the museum does offer classes in woodcarving.

Built in 1914, the Smith Tower was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and today offers a glimpse into the past. From the marble walls to the ornate gold elevator doors, it’s a look at old world skyscraper design. You’re allowed to take a self-guided tour, exploring the floors and the nuances of the way buildings like these used to be designed. Keep an eye out for small details, and if you’d like to learn more about the history of the building, there’s a Legends of Smith Tower exhibit that’s just for you. Before you leave, don’t forget to snap a selfie in the Wishing Chair.

What was once an upscale club for veterans of the Klondike Gold Rush became a hotel and now stands as a fantastic example of Beaux Arts architectural style. Before heading inside, take a close look at the terra cotta the building is made of and look up. You’ll see why the Arctic Club is named as it is. Adorning the third-floor exterior are terra cotta walruses with their mouths wide open. Stroll through the public areas of the hotel to see what a stopover looked like for travelers over 100 years ago. And if you’re hungry, grab a bite at one of the bars or restaurants inside, which have been quite well preserved.

No trip to Seattle would be complete without a visit to the Space Needle, and yours won’t be either. Before leaving the city today, you’ll head up to the very top to take a look over the entire metropolitan area. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the futuristic building has the ability to withstand earthquakes and hurricane-force winds. It’s tempting to spend the whole time you’re there looking over the city, but don’t miss the mid-century-style interior of the observation deck.