Wallpaper - Once it Was

Captured by Nathan Larson, our Once it Was wallpaper brings a quiet, atmospheric seascape into focus through fine photographic detail. A solitary, weathered rock formation rests in calm water beneath expansive, softly layered cloud bands, creating a minimal horizon that feels spacious and still. Cool slate blues, muted greys, and gentle misty tones define the palette, giving the composition a restrained visual presence. Produced as made-to-measure wall murals, this PVC-free wallpaper introduces an understated architectural focal point to a bedroom, living room, or study.

In the room

Because the composition relies on broad, quiet bands of sky and open water, this design works especially well across larger uninterrupted wall areas. Giving the horizon room to stretch allows the solitary rock formation to anchor the lower portion of the wall without feeling crowded. In a living room or bedroom, placing this wallpaper on a primary feature wall, such as behind a sofa or low headboard, establishes an open, uncluttered atmosphere.

The horizontal balance also suits spaces like a home office, library, or dining room where you want visual depth without dense, high-contrast pattern. Even in compact areas like a powder room or entryway, the gentle gradation from overcast sky to still sea provides an impression of scale and distance. In natural daylight, the subtle tonal shifts between slate blue and grey become particularly clear, while soft evening light enhances the mood of the overcast horizon.

Styling it

We would pair this photographic wallpaper with minimalist or organic modern interiors that appreciate clean lines and natural visual textures. Because the motif carries an open, quiet mood, keeping surrounding furniture relatively simple allows the artwork to hold the focus. Low-profile furniture in pale wood, such as bleached ash or light oak, complements the cool slate tones without competing for visual weight.

For upholstery and curtains, smooth textiles in neutral off-white, light grey, or unbleached canvas maintain the serene visual balance. Matte black metal accents or clean architectural lamps add subtle graphic structure that echoes the darker contours of the rock without overwhelming the misty palette.

Colour combinations

Our wallpaper centers on a cool, balanced palette of slate blue, overcast grey, muted charcoal, and pale misty tones.

To build around this design, we recommend contrasting or continuing these verified tones with surrounding finishes:
Adjacent walls painted in crisp off-white or light ash grey keep the room bright and let the seascape stand out distinctly.
Darker slate, deep charcoal, or charcoal blue on trim, doors, or low cabinetry echo the stone motif and ground the lower section of the wall.
Warm, muted neutrals like pale oatmeal or soft putty on large rugs and upholstery introduce gentle contrast to the cool sea tones.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions. Custom production helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared to buying standard fixed-size rolls.

Every wallpaper we produce is PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical structure that complements photographic and artistic motifs. Designed to be straightforward and easy to hang, our mural wallpapers offer flexible decorating choices for private homes and rented spaces alike.