Wallpaper - Meeting With An Old Friend

Our Meeting With An Old Friend wallpaper by Kate Jarvik Birch brings a charming, nostalgic subject into focus with a painted-style yellow rubber duck floating amidst delicate bubbles and water droplets. The composition balances the radiant yellow and warm orange tones of the duck with a cool, textured grey and soft blue water surface, creating a playful yet artistic visual statement. What we particularly like is how the painted brushwork and gentle highlights give the motif a warm, illustrative character rather than a flat graphic feel. Like all our wallpapers, this mural design is made-to-measure to your exact wall dimensions and printed on PVC-free paper.

In the room

Because of its expressive scale and cheerful focal point, this design works wonderfully as a feature wall in spaces where you want to introduce a touch of lighthearted character. We see it working exceptionally well in a family bathroom, cloakroom, nursery, or child's bedroom. In a smaller bathroom or downstairs toilet, positioning the duck on the main visible wall creates an instant, delightful talking point when entering the room. In a child's bedroom or playroom, placing the wallpaper behind a low bed or reading nook anchors the play area with warmth and personality.

Styling it

To let the expressive motif and vibrant yellow tones take centre stage, we suggest keeping surrounding elements relatively understated and clean.

Simple white sanitaryware, clean ceramic tiles, or smooth painted panelling allow the artwork to stand out without competing for attention. Light-toned woodwork or pale painted furniture pairs naturally with the bright, airy feel of the composition. If you want to introduce small accents, selecting subtle bathroom accessories or textiles that reflect the soft grey tones or a small pop of warm orange will tie the room together in a balanced way.

Colour combinations

The core palette of our design combines bright sunny yellow, warm orange, and a touch of deep coral on the beak, grounded by a backdrop of cool slate greys, soft blues, and crisp white water highlights.

When choosing paint for adjoining walls or woodwork, cool off-whites, misty greys, or muted pale blues harmonise effortlessly with the water background, keeping the overall atmosphere light and fresh. Alternatively, if you want a bolder, cheerier space, incorporating warm buttercup yellow or soft marigold through smaller decorative details echoes the central character of the mural.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are produced made-to-measure based on the specific wall dimensions you provide. Printing each order to size helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared to standard fixed-size rolls.

Our wallpapers are completely PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical structure that adds depth to the surface. We have designed our wall murals and mural wallpapers to be straightforward and easy to hang, offering a versatile decorating solution suited to a wide range of homes and living spaces.