Wallpaper - Reading List

Our Reading List wallpaper, captured by photographer Deborah Revell, brings the quiet charm of antique literature into the room. The photographic composition showcases a horizontal stack of weathered hardback books, bound in deep navy blue with aged gilt lettering and decorative filigree along their spines. The aged, golden-edged paper pages introduce a warm, amber tone that balances the cooler book cloth. With its close crop and soft depth of field, this mural wallpaper adds authentic heritage character to a study, home library, or living space. Like all our wallpapers, it is made-to-measure on PVC-free paper with a subtle surface structure.

In the room

We find that this design works particularly well in rooms dedicated to reading, quiet study, or gathering. In a home office or private study, placing this wallpaper across a main wall behind a desk instantly sets an intellectual, heritage tone. It also suits a dedicated home library, a den, or an alcove in a living room where you want to anchor a reading corner. Because the photographic detail is focused closely on the spines and bindings, we recommend giving the wallpaper an uninterrupted wall area where the horizontal lines and vintage typography can be appreciated at eye level.

Styling it

To complement the traditional character of this design, we would pair it with classic, heritage-inspired furnishings. A deep leather armchair, a solid dark timber desk, or dark wood shelving naturally echo the vintage library aesthetic.

Keep surrounding decorative elements relatively quiet to let the detailed photography take centre stage. Antique brass or aged bronze accents, such as a traditional desk lamp or metal drawer pulls, tie in seamlessly with the gold foil details stamped onto the book spines. For textiles, heavier woven fabrics like wool or velvet in understated, solid colours bring warmth without competing with the horizontal pattern of the stack.

Colour combinations

The wallpaper is grounded in deep navy blue, dark blue-green hues, and the warm ochre and gold of aged book edges and gilt foil. Around the room, we suggest working with rich, deep hues or muted warm neutrals. A dark navy or deep forest green on adjacent walls or painted woodwork creates a cocooning, traditional atmosphere. If you prefer a lighter look, warm parchment tones, soft creams, or muted stone shades on the trim and surrounding walls will highlight the warm pages while providing gentle contrast against the dark blue bindings.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure to fit your wall dimensions, which helps reduce unnecessary excess paper compared with standard rolls. Every design is printed on PVC-free paper featuring a subtle physical structure. Our wall murals are designed to be straightforward to hang, giving you a smooth way to transform your interior.