Wallpaper - Iowa City Skyline Purple & Gold

Designed by Michael Tompsett, this architectural mural wallpaper captures the distinctive skyline of Iowa City through an expressive watercolour-like silhouette set against a clean white backdrop. Rich tones of dark mulberry purple blend into warm golden ochre, accented with paint splatters and textured ink bleeds that anchor the buildings across the lower horizontal plane. The open negative space above gives the composition a light, airy quality while keeping the structural detail sharp and visually engaging. Like all Wallism wallpapers, this design is made to measure to your exact wall dimensions and printed on PVC-free paper with a subtle surface structure.

In the room

Because the skyline sits across the lower half with ample clear white space above, we see this working particularly well on an uninterrupted feature wall in a living room or home office. In a living room, positioning the skyline behind a low-backed sofa allows the architectural silhouettes to rise naturally into view without feeling crowded. The horizontal flow also suits a study or work space, where the crisp white background maintains a bright atmosphere while the deep purple and gold bring warmth to the room.

Styling it

We recommend pairing this design with contemporary or eclectic furniture that lets the artistic skyline remain the focal point. Clean lines and uncluttered silhouettes help balance the organic watercolour splatters along the base of the mural. For surrounding elements, warm wood finishes like walnut or darker oak echo the golden ochre tones, while brushed brass accents or understated black metal hardware subtly pick up on the deep contours of the cityscape.

Colour combinations

The wallpaper is defined by its contrast between deep mulberry purple, rich golden ochre, and a crisp white background. To build a cohesive palette around the room, you can draw from the warm gold tones with soft ochre or caramel textiles on upholstery and cushions. Deep plum or muted aubergine accents on decorative ceramics or small furniture pieces will tie directly into the darker urban silhouette, while keeping adjacent painted walls in an off-white or soft warm cream will preserve the artwork's bright, open feel.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made to measure based on your specific wall dimensions, helping to reduce unnecessary excess compared to standard rolls. We produce our wall murals on PVC-free paper with a subtle physical structure, and they are designed to be straightforward and simple to hang. We offer versatile options suited to different homes and living situations, whether you own your home or live in rented accommodation.