Wallpaper - Once it Was

Our Once it Was wallpaper captures a solitary rocky outcrop resting in a calm, expansive sea beneath an atmospheric, overcast sky. Created by Nathan Larson, this photographic design balances cold blue and slate tones across a wide horizon, creating a quiet and contemplative mood. The lower half of the composition is grounded by the textured rock formation and water, while soft, cloud-layered skies fill the upper portion. Produced as a made-to-measure, PVC-free wallpaper with a subtle paper structure, it brings an organic, understated presence to living spaces, bedrooms, or dedicated study areas.

In the room

Because of the strong horizontal composition and the lower placement of the rock formation, this design works especially well on wider, uninterrupted walls. In a living room or bedroom, placing the wallpaper behind lower furniture, such as a low sofa or a bed with an understated headboard, keeps the focal island fully visible while allowing the sky to open up the room above.

In a home office, library, or hallway, the restrained visual rhythm offers depth without cluttering the space. The subtle gradations between slate, muted grey, and cool blue tones make it a versatile choice for larger continuous walls as well as compact feature walls in an entryway or dining room.

Styling it

We recommend pairing this wallpaper with clean, contemporary, or organic modern furniture that shares its quiet character. Low-profile silhouettes in mid-toned or pale woods complement the natural horizon line, while darker charcoal or blackened steel accents can echo the deep shadows of the stone.

For surrounding textiles, opt for simple weaves in muted charcoal, cool grey, or unbleached off-white to maintain balance across the room. Keeping nearby decorative objects minimal ensures that the open landscape remains the central visual focus.

Colour combinations

The palette within our wallpaper is defined by slate blue, cool oceanic greys, and soft, clouded pale tones. To build a cohesive room around it, consider the following surrounding colour directions:

• Deep charcoal and slate on adjacent joinery, doors, or metalwork to pick up the rocky textures.
• Cool off-white or soft mist grey on surrounding walls and ceiling to seamlessly extend the open feel of the overcast sky.
• Subtle stone, taupe, or weathered timber tones to add gentle warmth without breaking the cool overall harmony.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure according to your specific wall dimensions, which helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared to standard fixed rolls. We produce our designs on PVC-free paper featuring a subtle physical surface structure.

Designed to be straightforward and easy to hang, our mural wallpapers offer flexible options to suit different interiors, whether you are decorating a family home or personalising a rented apartment.