Wallpaper - Penny Farthing

Our Penny Farthing wallpaper presents a crisp photographic study of the iconic 19th-century high-wheel bicycle against a pure, brilliant white backdrop. Captured by Deborah Revell, the design emphasizes the dramatic contrast between the massive front wheel with its radiating spokes and the diminutive rear wheel. The clean white frame blends subtly into the background, allowing the black saddle, handlebars, pedals, and thin tire rims to stand out as sharp graphic elements. Produced as a made-to-measure, PVC-free wall mural with a subtle paper texture, this design brings a distinctive blend of historic engineering and modern minimalism to your interior.

In the room

Because the motif relies on a single, expansive graphic subject with ample negative space, we recommend placing this design on a wide, uninterrupted wall where the full silhouette of the bicycle can be appreciated without visual clipping. It works remarkably well as a focal point in a home study, library, or dedicated art studio. In an open-plan living area, placing our wall mural behind lower furniture, such as a low-profile credenza or sofa, ensures the delicate spoke details and upper handlebar silhouette remain entirely in view. The high-key white background keeps the overall atmosphere feeling open and airy, making it suitable even for compact rooms where you want a striking feature wall without darkening the space.

Styling it

To balance the sharp black-and-white graphic nature of the wallpaper, we suggest pairing it with clean-lined furnishings and understated materials that celebrate form and craftsmanship.

• Choose furniture with slender silhouettes, such as matte black metal framing or streamlined mid-century profiles, to mirror the delicate geometry of the spokes and bicycle frame.
• Introduce natural timber, such as warm oak or ash, through desks, shelving, or exposed flooring to bring warmth into the room alongside the stark white background.
• Keep surrounding wall decorations minimal, allowing the singular graphic subject to command the room without competing artwork.

Colour combinations

The wallpaper itself is defined by an ultra-clean palette of brilliant white, deep black, and subtle silver tones along the spokes and hardware. When selecting colors for surrounding walls, woodwork, and major furnishings, we recommend working with either crisp monochrome tones or soft architectural neutrals.

Surrounding walls painted in pure chalk white create a seamless look where the bicycle appears to float across the architecture. Alternatively, soft light grey or charcoal on adjacent trim and doors can frame the wall mural elegantly. If you prefer to introduce color to the broader space, muted heritage hues such as deep forest green, slate blue, or warm ochre in surrounding textiles provide an inviting contrast against the graphic black-and-white composition.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure according to your specific wall dimensions. This custom production approach helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared to standard fixed-size rolls.

Our wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical surface structure. Designed to be straightforward to hang, our mural wallpapers provide an accessible way to introduce curated art and distinctive character to your home.