Wallpaper - On the Waves I

Created by Sue Schlabach, our On the Waves I wallpaper features a sweeping painted whale rendered in vibrant teal and ocean blue across a layered collage background. Faded script, vintage paper ephemera, and soft wave motifs anchor the lower half, balancing the large horizontal silhouette above. The interplay between rich sea tones and earthy neutral newsprint gives this mural wallpaper an artistic, storybook presence that brings character to any interior. Our custom wall murals are made-to-measure and printed on PVC-free paper with a subtle surface texture.

In the room

Because of the bold scale and horizontal posture of the whale, we see this design working best on an uninterrupted feature wall where the complete artwork can stretch out comfortably. In a living room or primary bedroom, placing it behind a low-profile sofa or headboard lets the upper tail and body command visual attention without competing for space. It also brings a calming, thoughtful atmosphere to a home office, study, or lake house retreat, where the layered script and painterly details invite closer inspection. In a bathroom or powder room, it creates a striking artistic focal point that pairs naturally with fresh, coastal-inspired styling.

Styling it

To let the rich blue silhouette remain the star of the space, we would surround this wallpaper with relatively quiet furnishings and balanced natural elements.

• Pair with lighter wood tones such as white oak or ash, alongside soft linen textiles to enhance the relaxed, coastal-boho aesthetic.
• Choose low-slung, minimalist furniture profiles that leave the central whale motif and vintage script backdrop visible.
• Introduce brushed brass or warm bronze accents in lighting or hardware to reflect the warm golden undertones hidden within the collage.

Colour combinations

The design itself is built on a vibrant foundation of teal, turquoise, and deep ocean blue, balanced by warm parchment, cream, soft beige, and subtle hints of golden ochre in the distressed texture. When painting surrounding walls or woodwork, we recommend echoing the warm off-white and sandy tones found in the paper background. If you prefer a moodier, enveloping palette, pulling a deep teal or muted slate blue onto adjacent walls or cabinetry creates a cohesive, design-led sanctuary.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions. This custom approach ensures the composition scales naturally to your room while helping reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper. Our designs are completely PVC-free and printed on a quality paper with a subtle physical structure, making them straightforward and easy to hang in any home.