Wallpaper - Once it Was

In our Once it Was wallpaper, photographer Nathan Larson captures a solitary rocky outcrop resting in calm, open water beneath a layered overcast sky. The composition relies on vast horizontal bands of misty slate blue, cool gray, and soft atmospheric light, giving the design a distinctly minimalist and contemplative quality. What we especially appreciate is the balance between the broad, quiet expanse of sea and sky and the fine, rugged detail of the rock formation anchored in the lower portion of the frame. Printed on our PVC-free paper with a subtle physical structure, this made-to-measure wallpaper mural creates a spacious, grounding atmosphere across residential feature walls.

In the room

Because the motif features a dominant horizon and a low focal anchor, we find this design works exceptionally well on wide, uninterrupted walls in a living room, bedroom, or quiet study. Placing it behind a low sofa or a headboard allows the upper two-thirds of the image, filled with open sky and quiet water, to stretch freely above the furniture line. In a dining room or dressing room, the clean horizontal lines bring an expansive visual depth that makes compact spaces feel more open. The cool blue-slate palette is particularly suited to rooms with generous, indirect daylight, where the delicate gradations in the cloud layers can be fully appreciated.

Styling it

We recommend pairing this design with clean-lined, contemporary furniture that echoes its minimalist aesthetic. Keeping surrounding pieces low in profile ensures the focal rock formation remains clear and undisturbed.

• Low-slung seating or platform beds in muted, textural fabrics complement the quiet horizon without competing for visual attention.
• Natural, lighter wood finishes such as ash or bleached oak provide an organic counterpoint to the slate-gray tones of the water and stone.
• Simple black metal architectural accents or lighting fixtures will pick up on the darkest crevices in the rock, subtly framing the wall.

Color combinations

The palette within the wallpaper centers on slate blue, cool overcast grays, and muted charcoal tones with faint hints of pale lilac in the distant sky. When decorating the rest of the space, we suggest extending these cool, muted hues to adjacent painted walls and woodwork using soft chalky whites, pale dove gray, or deep indigo for a moodier accent. For larger upholstered furniture or area rugs, neutral tones like oat, charcoal, or deep navy anchor the room comfortably alongside the cool marine backdrop.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure to fit your specific wall dimensions, which helps reduce unnecessary excess material during decorating. We produce all of our designs on PVC-free paper featuring a subtle physical surface structure that adds character to the finished wall. Designed to be straightforward and easy to hang, our wall murals and mural wallpapers offer versatile decorating options tailored to different homes, living situations, and interior projects.