Wallpaper - Old Map of Southeast Asia, 1570

Our Old Map of Southeast Asia, 1570 wallpaper brings historic 16th-century cartography into the home with remarkable clarity and character. Based on classic cartographic work by Ortelius, the design depicts Southeast Asia, China, and Japan alongside intricate coastlines, ornate measurement scales, and decorative sea illustrations including ships and mythical marine creatures. An elaborate cartouche and crowned crest anchor the composition, framed in muted steel blue, earthy brown, and aged green tones. Produced custom made-to-measure on PVC-free paper with a subtle surface structure, our mural wallpapers offer a captivating, story-led presence on any accent wall.

In the room

We see this historic map working particularly well across a wide, uninterrupted wall where the full expanse of geography and detailed illustrations can be appreciated at eye level. In a dedicated study, home office, or library, it creates an immersive backdrop that naturally invites closer looking. Because the composition functions as a single unified map rather than an endless repeating pattern, it serves especially well behind a sofa in the living room or along the main wall of a dining room, where surrounding furniture remains relatively low. In a hallway or staircase with good sightlines, the sweeping lines of the coastlines and decorative borders bring a sense of discovery to transition spaces.

Styling it

The rich historic print character of this design pairs naturally with traditional, colonial, and heritage-led interior styles. We suggest grounding the space with warm, darker wood furniture, such as antique mahogany, dark oak, or walnut, which echoes the earthy brown linework across the landmasses.

To keep the room feeling balanced rather than visually cluttered, choose upholstery and textiles in solid, unpatterned fabrics. Muted linen or brushed wool in warm neutrals allows the intricate cartographic details to remain the primary visual focus. Brass accents, such as reading lamps, hardware, or understated picture frames elsewhere in the room, complement the aged character of the cartouche and crest.

Colour combinations

The palette of our wallpaper is anchored by steel blue across the oceans, balanced by earthy parchment browns, soft tans, and muted greens within the mapped territories.

When choosing paint for adjacent walls or woodwork, we recommend pulling directly from these subdued tones:

• Soft off-white or warm parchment on surrounding walls maintains an airy, cohesive feel without competing with the map's paper tone.
• Deep slate or steel blue on trim, doors, or built-in bookshelves creates a tailored, enveloping look that echoes the sea detailing.
• Muted olive or moss green accents in cushions or drapery subtly enhance the landmass shading.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure according to your supplied wall dimensions. Custom sizing ensures the design is proportioned to your specific wall area while helping to reduce unnecessary excess paper compared with standard rolls.

Our wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical structure that feels refined on the wall. Designed to be straightforward to hang, our wall murals provide flexible decorating options suited to homeowners and renters alike.