Wallpaper - Playing With Poppies

Our Playing With Poppies wallpaper by Shirley Novak captures an expressive floral composition bursting with vivid carmine red, orange, and yellow blooms. Fluid, dripping paint effects and soft watercolour-like gestures give the abstract flowers a sense of spontaneous movement across the surface, accented by gentle swirls of blue and white in the backdrop. What we particularly appreciate about this design is the balance between its bold, energetic colour palette and whimsical, fluid artistry. Printed made-to-measure on our subtle, PVC-free paper, this design brings a vibrant focal point into any home.

In the room

Because of the dynamic movement and rich carmine tones in this design, we see it working exceptionally well as a feature wall in a living room or a dedicated home art studio. In a living room, giving the motif an uninterrupted wall behind a sofa allows the full sweep of dripping colour and loose brushwork to be appreciated without visual competition. In an art studio or creative workspace, the expressive composition sets a vibrant, imaginative atmosphere across the main working area.

When it comes to lighting, generous natural daylight brings out the delicate tonal shifts between the soft pastel washes and the deep, saturated reds. In lower or warmer evening light, the fiery oranges and carmine petals take on a cosy, glowing presence, while the cool blue swirls in the background recede gracefully.

Styling it

To let the expressive energy of the mural wallpapers take centre stage, we suggest pairing this design with furniture that has clean, contemporary silhouettes and quiet visual weight.

• Choose seating and cabinetry in understated neutral tones or painted finishes so the vivid blooms remain the primary focus of the room.
• Bring in warm wood elements, such as a simple timber coffee table or shelving, to ground the energetic colour palette without adding competing pattern.
• Echo the cooler background accents with subtle touches in decorative ceramics or simple textiles in soft off-white or pale slate blue.

Colour combinations

The foundation of our wallpaper rests on bold carmine red, warm orange, and golden yellow, balanced by airy white and soft blue washes. When planning surrounding walls and woodwork, consider pulling out the lighter off-white tones or a very pale grey-blue from the background to keep the room feeling cohesive and open.

If you prefer a richer setting, bringing a deep carmine or warm terracotta into adjacent accents or architectural trim creates an enveloping, cohesive palette. Muted cream or warm stone shades on neighbouring painted walls also provide a gentle transition that allows the vibrant floral artwork to stand out naturally.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are produced made-to-measure to fit your exact wall dimensions, which helps reduce unnecessary excess paper compared to standard rolls. Every design is printed on a PVC-free paper featuring a subtle physical structure that is straightforward to hang. We offer versatile options created to suit different spaces, whether you own your home or live in rented accommodation.