Wallpaper - Old Map of Belgium, 1570

Our Old Map of Belgium, 1570 wallpaper brings historic cartography by Abraham Ortelius into the home with remarkable clarity. Based on the antique "Flandria" map, the composition combines earthy caramel and warm brown land masses with blue ocean waters, framed by ornate Renaissance-style border illustration. Sailing ships navigate across coastal waters alongside a traditional compass rose, while the land is detailed with fine place names, waterways, and woodland markings. In the lower corner, a reclining classical figure beside a black-and-white animal anchors the composition. Produced as a made-to-measure wallpaper, this PVC-free design retains a subtle paper structure that complements its antique print character.

In the room

Because the map contains a wealth of intricate geographical detail, we see this working best on a wide, relatively uninterrupted wall where the full scope of the historic coastline can be viewed at eye level. In a home office, study, or private library, it creates an engaging focal point behind a desk or reading chair. The design functions particularly well as a single feature wall, allowing the brown and caramel tones to ground the room without overwhelming smaller spaces. When placed where natural light can reach the wall, the finer engraved details and subtle shifts between the blue seas and warm parchment tones become noticeably clearer.

Styling it

To let the historical character of our wall murals lead the room, we would keep the surrounding furnishings classic and uncluttered:

• Pair with warm wood furniture, such as antique mahogany, rich oak, or walnut, which naturally echoes the caramel and brown tones of the aged paper motif.
• Choose leather or structured upholstery in deep chestnut, navy, or muted forest tones to balance the ornate border and maritime elements.
• Keep wall shelving and tall cabinets to adjacent walls so the full cartographic composition remains visible and open to study.

Colour combinations

The palette within our mural wallpapers centers on warm caramel, aged parchment brown, and muted earthy undertones, contrasted with classic maritime blue and subtle gold decorative accents in the border. Around the wallpaper, we suggest painting adjacent walls and trim in soft warm whites, deep navy, or muted olive tones. For larger furniture and curtains, earthy neutrals, rich tan leather, or deep indigo help pull out the distinctive map pigments without competing with the detailed linework.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions, helping to reduce unnecessary excess paper compared with standard rolls. Our designs are completely PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical surface structure. Straightforward and easy to hang, our wallpapers offer dependable decorating options suited to both homeowners and renters looking to transform their spaces.