To be honest, I think a better source of inspiration would come from the Nintendo 64.
Think about the levels that the N64 classics had. I'm talking about Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Donkey Kong 64, Diddy Kong Racing... All of them had solid, general levels that I think could make great dreamscapes. Heck, we might even find something usable in Star Fox 64 or Conker's Bad Fur Day.
ETA: Take, for example, the Super Mario 64 world of Tick Tock Clock. Wouldn't it be fun to fly through so many moving gears and pendulums? That's one thing NiD didn't have: Levels that moved. At least, not to that extent.
WOOT FOR BK AND BT. AWESOME GAMES.
How about a level like Hailfire Peaks (fire and ice mixed together)?