Wallpaper - On the Waves I

Our On the Waves I wallpaper by Sue Schlabach brings together a bold, painterly teal sperm whale across an intricate backdrop of vintage handwriting and collage-like textures. What we particularly like about this design is the contrast between the saturated oceanic blues and the warm, weathered parchment tones underneath, accented by delicate golden linework and stylised blue waves. Produced made-to-measure on our PVC-free paper with a subtle physical surface structure, this design brings an artistic focal point to the room while remaining straightforward to hang.

In the room

Because the whale spans horizontally across the composition, we would place this design on a wide, relatively uninterrupted wall where the full form can stretch out. It works naturally as a feature wall behind a bed in a bedroom or anchored behind a low-backed sofa in a living room. In a home office or study, the delicate script details and earthy background create an engaging backdrop behind a desk without feeling overpowering. If you are decorating a bathroom or a coastal holiday home, the nautical subject matter gives the space a distinct character, especially when paired with natural daylight that highlights the brushstroke textures across the whale's body.

Styling it

To let the expressive brushwork and rich teal palette stand out, we would balance this mural wallpaper with relatively calm, understated furnishings.

• Choose warm, natural wood finishes like mid-toned oak or reclaimed pine, which connect with the aged paper tones in the background.
• Keep surrounding upholstery and bed linens in neutral, unpatterned fabrics such as oatmeal, cream, or washed linen to let the blue artwork take centre stage.
• Introduce small accents of brushed brass or warm antique gold to echo the subtle golden flourishes painted across the whale's tail and body.

Colour combinations

The foundation of our wallpaper rests on deep teal, bright cerulean blue, soft sandy beige, and warm parchment white, with fine touches of ochre and gold.

For adjacent walls, we suggest leaning into soft off-white, light warm greige, or pale linen tones to match the paper-textured background. If you want a more cocooning feel in a study or bedroom, painting neighbouring walls in a deep slate blue or rich petrol teal drawn directly from the whale's body creates a cohesive, enveloping atmosphere. For woodwork and skirting, a warm ivory or muted stone provides a gentle transition from the collage backdrop.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions. Custom sizing means your wall mural is printed specifically for your project, which helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared to standard rolls.

All of our mural wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical structure that lends depth to every motif. We offer wallpaper options suited to different homes, needs, and living situations, each designed to be straightforward and easy to hang.