Wallpaper - Old Map of The Neatherlands, 1570

Our Old Map of The Netherlands, 1570 wallpaper mural brings a piece of classical cartography by Ortelius into the home. What we particularly like about this design is the balance between the broad slate blue sea and the intricate landmass rendered in warm beige and soft green tones. Historical details catch the eye across the entire composition, from sailing vessels and mythical sea creatures navigating the ocean to an ornate compass rose, an elaborate decorative border, and a red lion crest in the corner. Made-to-measure to fit your wall dimensions, this PVC-free wallpaper features a subtle physical structure in the paper that suits the antique etching look.

In the room

Because of the rich geographical detail and the Latin text woven into the cartouche, we see this mural wallpaper working best on an uninterrupted feature wall where the full antique map can be viewed without heavy visual interruption. In a dedicated study, home library, or living room, positioning the wallpaper behind a low desk or along a wall facing comfortable seating allows the intricate linework of the coastal cities and rivers to be appreciated up close. In rooms with generous natural daylight, the subtle contrast between the earthy land tones and the slate blue sea reads clearly across the whole space.

Styling it

To balance the detailed linework of this historic map, we suggest keeping nearby furniture silhouettes clean and grounded. Rich, darker wood tones or warm mid-toned finishes connect naturally with the antique character of the print, while simple upholstered pieces in unpatterned fabrics prevent the room from feeling visually busy. Understated matte accents, such as aged iron or muted brass bookends and lighting, complement the heritage cartography without competing with its decorative borders.

Colour combinations

The palette in our wallpaper centres on slate blue across the ocean, set against earthy beige, pale aged parchment, and muted green on land, with small touches of terracotta red in the heraldic crest. For adjacent walls and trim, softer off-whites, warm stone, or subtle greige echo the background tones of the parchment. If you prefer a richer, more enveloping feel, pulling out a complementary deep slate blue or a warm mossy tone on nearby woodwork or built-in shelving creates an inviting, cohesive backdrop.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are produced made-to-measure according to your specific wall dimensions, helping to reduce unnecessary excess compared with standard rolls. All of our mural wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper with a subtle physical surface structure. Designed to be straightforward to hang, our wallpapers offer flexible options suited to different homes, whether you own your space or live in rented accommodation.