Wallpaper - The Open Sea

Our The Open Sea wallpaper brings together powerful crashing ocean waves and a moody, overcast sky created by artist William Henry Holmes. Deep oceanic blues and dark sea greens are broken by frothing white crests, while layered grey, taupe, and dark tones across the sky lend the composition its atmospheric, painterly depth. The expressive watercolour-like brushwork gives the seascape an organic sense of movement that feels both classic and dramatic on a wall. Like all Wallism mural wallpapers, this design is made to measure to your exact dimensions, PVC-free, and printed on paper with a subtle physical surface structure.

In the room

Because this mural carries noticeable visual movement and a darker tonal base, we like giving it a wider, relatively uninterrupted wall where the full drama of the horizon and water can unfold. In a living room or a dedicated study, placing it along the main wall behind a sofa or low desk anchors the room without cluttering the composition. The horizontal sweep of the waves also works naturally in a dining room, where it establishes a strong focal point. In a bedroom, we think it makes a particularly evocative backdrop behind a low headboard, especially in rooms with generous natural daylight that brings out the nuanced transitions between the green and blue water tones.

Styling it

To balance the energetic movement of the water, we recommend keeping surrounding furniture silhouettes grounded and understated:

• Pair the wallpaper with warm, mid-toned or darker timber furniture, such as classic walnut or aged oak, which echoes the heritage character of the artwork and anchors the darker tones.
• Introduce tactile textiles in unbleached linen, wool, or soft taupe upholstery to soften the cool blues and dark skies without competing with the painted details.
• Add restrained accents in muted antique brass or blackened metal to complement the classic maritime mood of the painting.

Colour combinations

The design itself features deep ocean blues, dark seaweed greens, cresting whites, and cloudy taupe and charcoal greys. When choosing surrounding paint colours and finishes, we suggest looking to these underlying tones:

• Soft taupe or chalky off-white on adjacent walls and woodwork to create a gentle, warm contrast that lets the deeper maritime hues stand out.
• Muted slate grey or deep charcoal on trim, doors, or built-in shelving if you prefer a more enveloping, heritage feel.
• Subdued sea-foam green or dusky navy drawn directly from the waves for accent cushions or upholstered seating, tying the whole room together naturally.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made to measure based on your specific wall dimensions. Producing each order individually helps reduce unnecessary excess compared with buying standard fixed-size rolls.

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