Wallpaper - Us But Sardines

Our Us But Sardines wallpaper by Kate Jarvik Birch presents a charming, painterly still-life study of two sardines set against a warm, dusky terracotta-pink background. Painted with lively brushstrokes, the fish feature luminous silvery blues, deep indigo, white highlights, and soft violet drop shadows that give the motif a distinct graphic presence. The composition balances stillness with subtle whimsy, making it an engaging focal point for residential interiors. Made-to-measure and PVC-free, this wallpaper brings an artful, contemporary touch to your walls.

In the room

We love seeing this design placed in spaces where food, conversation, and creativity naturally meet. In a kitchen, dining room, or breakfast nook, the playful still-life subject immediately sets a warm and welcoming tone. Because the two fish create a defined visual anchor against the broad pink ground, the mural works particularly well on an uninterrupted accent wall, behind a dining table, or along a kitchen wall where lower cabinetry leaves the upper wall area open.

In a hallway, cloakroom, or compact dining corner, the bold contrast between the cool shimmering blues and the warm terracotta background adds personality without overwhelming the space. The design has enough visual breathing room that it never feels cluttered, allowing the painted brushwork and characterful detail of the sardines to stand out clearly.

Styling it

To complement the rich, hand-painted aesthetic of the artwork, we suggest pairing the wallpaper with warm, natural materials and grounded furniture. Mid-tone or darker timber, such as teak, walnut, or warm oak, provides a handsome counterweight to the terracotta backdrop.

For surrounding décor, simple ceramics in terracotta, cream, or glazed blue help draw out the subtle tones within the fish scales. Keeping adjacent furniture profiles clean and relatively unadorned ensures the focal wall retains its relaxed, gallery-like feel.

Colour combinations

The palette in the wallpaper is anchored by the muted terracotta-pink background, contrasted by cool cobalt, cerulean blue, slate grey, white, and deep purple-indigo in the cast shadows.

Around the room, we recommend pairing this design with off-white, soft plaster, or warm stone tones on neighbouring walls and woodwork to let the background colour feel rich and intentional. For a bolder look, accents in deep navy, ultramarine, or rich rust can echo the vibrant brushwork found in the fish.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure according to your specific wall dimensions, which helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper during decorating.

Our wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical structure that lends a refined, tactile look to the finished wall. They are designed to be straightforward to hang, offering a versatile decorating solution suited to a wide range of homes and living spaces.