Wallpaper - On the Waves I Light Plank

Designed by Sue Schlabach, our On the Waves I Light Plank wallpaper centres on a large sperm whale silhouette floating above softly painted cresting waves. Set against a backdrop with the visual character of whitewashed horizontal wooden boards, the whale itself reveals layered turquoise, teal, and earthy ochre brushwork with delicate cursive script and vintage postmark details woven through its body. The open, light background gives the bold aquatic illustration plenty of breathing room, creating a balanced focal point with a coastal, artistic feel. Our wallpapers are made-to-measure and completely PVC-free, with a subtle physical paper structure that complements painterly designs.

In the room

Because the whale forms a single, large-scale visual statement, we see this design working particularly well on an uninterrupted feature wall where the full silhouette can be seen end-to-end. It makes a wonderful centrepiece in a child's bedroom, nursery, or playroom, where the whimsical subject brings character without overwhelming the space with heavy colour. In a coastal summer house or a peaceful guest bedroom, placing this wall mural behind a low headboard or along the main focal wall introduces a relaxed seaside atmosphere. In living rooms or family spaces, we suggest positioning it where larger furniture will not cut through the lower wave motifs, letting the horizon line of the whitewashed plank background sit naturally in the room.

Styling it

We recommend letting the wallpaper act as the primary visual interest in the room by surrounding it with relatively simple, natural materials. Light woods such as bleached pine, ash, or pale oak sit comfortably alongside the whitewashed plank effect in the background, reinforcing a light coastal or cottage interior style without feeling overly themed.

For soft furnishings and larger furniture, matte cottons and relaxed linen weaves in off-white, oat, or light indigo keep the setting airy. Low-profile furniture works best beneath the mural so the sweeping tail and water ripples remain clearly visible. If you want to introduce metal details in lighting or hardware, brushed brass or soft aged bronze will subtly pick up the warm ochre tones layered within the whale illustration.

Colour combinations

The palette of the design is built around vibrant teal, ocean blue, and turquoise, contrasted against a bright whitewashed timber background with subtle warm ochre undertones in the painted textures.

When planning the surrounding surfaces, we suggest painting adjacent walls and skirting in crisp white, soft chalk, or pale warm grey to mirror the background and keep the space bright. For accent colours in upholstery, rugs, or decorative pieces, dusty slate blue and warm amber or sand draw directly from the tonal variations inside the whale, creating a cohesive and harmonious palette throughout the room.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers and wall murals are made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions. Printing to your specific measurements helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared to standard fixed-size rolls.

Every design is printed on PVC-free paper with a subtle physical surface structure. Our mural wallpapers are designed to be straightforward to hang, offering a practical way to transform your interior whether you are decorating a family home or updating a holiday retreat.