Wallpaper is back in vogue. It’s not your grandmother’s wallpaper: Gone are the cabbage roses and fussy Victoriana of yesteryear. Contemporary wallpaper transforms. It changes the play of light, instantly creating mood and atmosphere, raising or lowering the visual temperature of any room.  

Today’s interior decor space is awash with handcrafted, curated wallpapers, from Liberty of London, Farrow & Ball, and F. Schumacher & Co. to newer brands such as Barneby Gates, Mind the Gap, and House of Hackney, whose playful modern designs lend a touch of nostalgia to any house and home. Velvet wallpaper is also having its moment, thanks to the British heritage brand Morris & Co’s luxurious Wardle Velvets collection, inspired by William Morris’s original archive patterns.  

Wallpaper can be bold or understated, and applied in unexpected places, in an alcove, a stairwell, even a ceiling. And for those who can’t commit to a pattern, there’s even removable wallpaper, with an array of elegant designs from Tempaper & Co.   

Read on to discover unique and beautiful wallpaper designs in four luxury homes.  

1. Casa Perla in Playa Langosta, Guanacaste, Costa Rica 

A luxury turnkey experience awaits at Casa Perla, an exuberant contemporary beach house looking out on Tamarindo Bay and Isla Capitán, on the northwestern Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

The double-height main living space has wide, sliding glass doors onto the pool terrace. Within the space is a luxurious media lounge, a 16-seat dining room, and an efficient galley kitchen with an adjoining island/breakfast bar.  

The home's six bedrooms each have a spa-grade bathroom. There’s also a half-bath off the main living space, and another full bathroom by the infinity pool and beach walkway.  

The four sea-facing en suite bedrooms have private terraces with ocean views, while the two guest suites offer two queen beds. Every bedroom is kitted with a 50-inch TV. 

Casa Perla comes fully furnished, down to the luxury linens, mattresses, and bath sheets. 

2. Carbon Canyon Estate in Malibu, California

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Malibu California's Carbon Canyon Estate sits on a 3.25-acre promontory with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains.  

This distinguished, 11,622-square-foot stucco and terracotta-roofed mansion has been impeccably updated by several celebrity owners. The principal rooms are grandly scaled and beautifully appointed with oak floors and sliding glass doors. 

There are signature fireplaces in the family room and the owner’s suite, with its boutique-worthy closet and sunset-view terrace. Colorful wallpaper in the guest bedrooms add a touch of whimsy.  

The focal point of the kitchen is a glass-doored “frantry” (a pantry-sized fridge for fruits and vegetables). The lavish amenities below grade include a tropical aquarium, 2,000-bottle wine cellar, 15-seat movie theater, bar and billiards room, cold plunge room, massage room, wet and dry saunas, and a mediation room with a terrace.  

The lemon orchard, with its 360-degree ocean and mountain vistas, is among the delightful outdoor features. There’s also an ocean-facing infinity pool and sun terrace, landscaped gardens, and parking for up to 20 vehicles—in addition to the five-bay car collector’s garage with supercar lifts. 

Related: Discover Homes with Dream Closets

3. Villa Huizer-End in Flevolaan, Netherlands 

The slate-roofed, brick Villa Huizer-End is an idyllic country estate bounded by the Gooi Nature Reserve in Flevolaan, Netherlands. 

Designed in 1908 by the influential Gooi architect Theo Rueter, the property underwent extensive restoration in 2020-21, upgrading systems and fixtures to contemporary luxury standards. 

The spacious living room has five bay windows and six sets of French doors to the garden. Farther along are the music room, the library, dining room and the utterly sleek Boffi kitchen with marble counters and up-to-the-minute appliances (including a double induction hob cooktop, integrated exhaust system, steam oven—and a plate warmer). 

Wallpapers by Hermès, Élitis, and Arte set the mood in a color scheme ranging from cool white/gray and cream in common spaces, to the lush chocolate of the primary suite with its designer bathroom, dressing room, and balcony. An elevator links all floors, including the lower-level wine cellar. 

Outside, a dining terrace faces the great lawn. Other structures include a guest house, detached four-car garage and an orangery with a bamboo terrace, lounge, swim spa with jet stream, and Jacuzzi. 

Wrought-iron fencing encloses the glorious gardens (with electric gate entry), landscaped with beech hedges and beautiful old trees. 

4. Cramer Pond Estate in Charlotte, North Carolina 

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This custom-built home is in Cramer Pond, a wooded enclave of the historic Plaza-Midwood neighborhood—home to the prestigious Charlotte Country Club. 

The central living space features a monumental log-burning fireplace, a timber-beamed cathedral ceiling, hardwood floors, and sliding doors to a terrace. The integrated kitchen has shaker-style cabinets, top-of-the-line appliances, a breakfast bar, and a hidden scullery. Pocket doors lead to an elegant formal dining room with nature-inspired wallpaper. 

Another log-burning fireplace graces the primary suite, with its olive and white paint scheme. The space includes a custom-built walk-in wardrobe and spa bathroom with steam shower and freestanding soaking tub. The guest bedrooms are adorned with neutral paint schemes or vibrant wallpaper designs. 

There are resort-like amenities throughout the home. The basement is elegantly styled with hardwood floors and pale gray walls. There’s a pub-style bar with beer taps, a pool table, and a movie theater. Outdoors are the pool and sunken hot tub, a wood-burning fireplace, and a summer kitchen for outdoor gatherings. 

Find a wall worthy of the finest wallpaper, here.