A luxury villa is a world unto itself.
Inside those exclusive walls, everything you need is at your fingertips, from gourmet dining to world class entertainment, exercise gear, wellness facilities and beyond. You really won’t need to leave this luxe, self-contained bubble for the duration of your stay… unless you absolutely want to.
Sometimes, when you’re very lucky, checking into a villa will feel like discovering a whole new world. Inspiring art and creative design have a way of transporting you beyond the dreary confines of day-to-day life. In the most creative, design-led villas, you will feel like you’re entering a whole other dimension.
How an Art-Filled Villa Elevates Your Holiday
While exceptional design is a hallmark of any luxury villa, some properties go the extra mile when it comes to art and design. Wandering through these beautifully styled villas is an experience in itself – akin to staying in a private art gallery. Inhabiting rooms adorned with evocative art and cutting-edge design can feel like escaping reality and entering a luxe new dimension.
When we head out into the world and travel to far-flung locales, we’re not looking to repeat the tried, the tested and the familiar – we’re looking for an adventure. A design-led villa will add a whole new dimension to your travels. Staying in these art-filled villas will make you feel like Alice stumbling into Wonderland.
The Seed Bali – Candidasa, Bali
The Seed Bali will send your imagination soaring. The art and the architecture work together beautifully at this one-in-a-million beachfront estate, creating a dreamy wonderland that seems to exist beyond space and time.
The games room (aptly dubbed the Rabbit Hole) features larger than life murals and shimmering chandeliers, while outside, woven sculptures wrap their tentacles around a treetop yoga deck, and pavilions appear to float on ponds fed by a private waterfall. Each of the estate’s four “villas” is completely unique and designed to leave you in awe.
Iniala Beach House – Natai, Phang Nga
Surreal luxury awaits at this villa resort carefully hidden on Natai Beach, one of the best kept secret beaches in Thailand. Iniala Beach House channels the vision of 11 international designers.
In the Collector’s Villa, the Carpenter’s Suite features a bed crafted by iconic Irish designer Joseph Walsh priced at around 200,000 dollars, while the Living Room of the Sea features some 3,000 ceramic plates embedded in its walls.
Villa Bianca fuses Eastern and Western influences to a stunning effect, while Villa Siam features “floating” bamboo beds and a gilded spa inscribed with ancient Buddhist teachings. Besides its design, the estate inspires guests with more than 40 pieces of art that are displayed throughout.
NicoNico Mansion – Seminyak, Bali
NicoNico Mansion is a self-proclaimed “art villa” – and boy does this Seminyak stunner live up to the moniker! A fabulous maximalist vision come to life; this villa is a real box of treasures – a wonderland waiting to be explored. Every room is uniquely designed, and the property is filled with whimsical details designed to amaze and delight.
Who could not be charmed by the vintage-bicycles-as-handrails or the catamaran net lounge that looks down to the living room below? Where the owner’s (noted fashion and interior designer Nico Genze) vision really comes to life is in the six bedrooms. Each room is totally unique, with themes ranging from classic colonial to colourful pop art and moody black interiors.
Doornberg – Galle, Sri Lanka
Historic splendour meets innovative modern art at Doornberg. During its over 300-year history, the property has served as the first school in Ceylon and as the residence of local dignitaries. During the past decades, the estate has been transformed into a magnificent villa housing one of the most impressive private art collections in Sri Lanka.
The owner has curated a stunning collection of contemporary art from Sri Lanka, China and Australia which is displayed beautifully amid these historic structures. An evocative piece by Abdul Halik Azeez graces a luminous lounge room while a large-scale painting by Marisa Purcell is exquisitely positioned in a darker, more intimate space.
From the architecture to the artwork, Doornberg is guaranteed to leave guests feeling inspired.
Villa Sapta Bayu – Canggu, Bali
Villa Sapta Bayu would impress by its sheer size alone. This polished white villa sprawls over 1,200 square metres and features seven bedrooms. But this villa can’t be defined by mere numbers alone.
The villa was designed by Felipe González Jiménez de la Espada, while the interiors were created by his wife, artist Mersuka Dopazo. This joint collaboration is endlessly inspiring. The villa’s sleek white contours are beautifully etched against the lush vegetation that surrounds which is in turn beautifully mirrored in the vibrant art that adorbs the rooms.
Dopazo’s bespoke pieces (including large collages and evocative paintings) draw inspiration from the artist’s travels across the globe. They are beautifully displayed besides ceramics, statues and mementoes from the owners’ collection. If you like the style of this villa, also check out its sister property The V House.
Millesime – Niseko, Japan
Since Niseko began to emerge as the region’s hottest ski destination – the Aspen of Asia if you will – the area has sprouted some truly jaw-dropping villas. But even amidst these million-dollar mansions, there is one that stands out from the pack.
Millesime wows with its exterior: the chalet is made up of three staggered blocks cutting a unique figure amid that famous powder. While the façade is striking, it does little to prepare you for the rock and roll glamour waiting inside.
The top floor living room is decked out with pieces by Timothy Oulton, the visionary furniture designer known for his mix of modern and vintage designs – fittingly, Millesime means “vintage” in French. A shimmering chandelier, plush leather seats and a coffee table inspired by military aircrafts are just some of the highlights. Mount Yotei views framed by union jack curtains add a final flourish.
Permata Ayung – Ubud, Bali
Rather than a villa, Permata Ayung feels like your very own Balinese kingdom. Each structure at this sprawling estate resembles a work of art, from the antique Javanese joglos to the cathedral-like bamboo spa designed by Elora Hardy.
Framed by lush Balinese gardens, every room is unique, and while the estate pays beautiful homage to its Balinese surroundings, this is by no means a museum. Instead, Permata Ayung is very much rooted in the present moment with rooms depicting an opulent sense of whimsy.
Many of the pieces were designed by Egbert Pos, a Dutch designer and a modern master of woodwork known for his unique use of resin. Every room houses something luxe and surprising, from sculpted green cinema seats to bathtubs carved from enormous boulders.
From start to finish, this fairytale kingdom is every maximalist’s dream come true.
Villa Belya – Marrakesh, Morocco
Villa Belya’s sleek, palm-framed façade calls to mind the classic homes of California – squint and you could almost convince yourself you’re in sunny Palm Springs. Once inside, the cultural influences become even more eclectic and all the more inspiring.
The interiors are sleek and subdued, with a whole lot of art and whimsy added to the mix. The light-filled rooms are adorned with inspiring art ranging from black and white photography to punchy pop art. A showpiece by graffiti artist Alec Monopoly graces the dining room wall, while striking pieces by Franco Congolese painter Kouka Ntadi and Iranian artist Arman Stepanian add depth to the living room.
Furniture adds yet another inspiring dimension to this eclectic villa – the bright red bar counter which spells out HAPPY is a whimsical vision of pop art.
Villa Manis Beachfront – Candidasa, Bali
Located beachfront in tranquil Candidasa, Villa Manis Beachfront is blessed with some of the most enchanting views in Bali. But this exceptional villa doesn’t rely on its beguiling locale alone but instead pulls out all the stops when it comes to the décor, too.
Each room in this villa is unique but they are all equally gorgeous. The glass encased living room resembles the most exquisite greenhouse, with aqua blue chesterfield seats echoing the hues of the Indian Ocean. There are unique artworks to inspire you everywhere you turn with shimmering chandeliers adding some glitz and glamour.
The five bedrooms are all unique and it feels near impossible to choose a favourite… though we do feel partial to the sea view room with its gorgeous copper bathtub.
The Oasis – Canggu, Bali
The Oasis is the epitome of Canggu’s cool and glam air. This modern white villa is filled with inspiring design and artful details, surrounded by the vibrant energy of Bali’s most of-the-moment neighbourhood.
The living room boasts a stunning, full wall mural depicting a Balinese dancer created by Australian artist YOKII, while the foyer is dominated by a “floating” frangipani tree. Even the villa’s glass encased gym looks like a work of art.
The swanky rooftop terrace (which is ideal for some stargazing) is framed by an artful white wall which calls to mind the House on the Cliff in Spain, or even the minimalist creations of Álvaro Siza Vieira.
Hidden behind that luminous structure is a raucous mural by Bali based Australian artist Jake Ross.
Naturally, if you feel tempted to stay in one of the art-filled villas listed here, please reach out to our team. We’d be delighted to look after you and your family.
