The Art of Tiles - Azulejos

Another inspiring decor feature found in Portugal are painted tiles, so called Azulejos. 

They can used as an exterior and interior decoration element, for example as artwork or splash back area in a bathroom/kitchen to create a true Portuguese feeling. On the exterior can be used to decorate a house facade or just elements, e.g. as a frame around the main entrance. Traditionally they've been used to cool down houses.

Some examples as seen in Lisbon:

Not only traditional motifs are used today. Contemporary artists also use the traditional tile painting as a canvas for their work (picture above by Julio Pomar)