Wallpaper - On the Waves I

Our On the Waves I wallpaper by Sue Schlabach centers on a grand whale painted in layered turquoise and ocean blue, floating gracefully across a mixed-media backdrop of vintage handwritten script, postage marks, and weathered parchment collage. Below the whale, stylised painted wave crests echo the marine theme, while warm ochre and gold undertones peek through the distressed brushwork. We produce our wallpapers made-to-measure on PVC-free paper with a subtle surface structure, creating a wall mural that brings an expressive artistic presence into your home.

In the room

Because of the horizontal presence and scale of the whale, we see this wall mural working particularly well on a wide, uninterrupted accent wall. In a bedroom, placing it behind a low headboard allows the curve of the whale's tail and the gentle wave motifs underneath to remain completely visible. It also brings a calm, dreamy character to a living room, a tranquil home office, or a lakeside vacation home. The light cream and parchment background keeps the overall composition open, so it can anchor a room without feeling visually heavy or overwhelming the space.

Styling it

To let the artwork remain the focal point, we recommend keeping surrounding furniture simple and grounded. Natural light oak, bleached ash, or distressed white-painted wood pieces complement the weathered collage background without competing with it. For upholstery and bedding, unbleached cotton, oatmeal textures, or soft coastal blues will harmonize with the oceanic theme. Avoid overly ornate decorative accents near the wall, allowing the intricate vintage script and painterly details of the mural wallpapers to stand out cleanly.

Color combinations

The design is defined by rich turquoise, deep teal, and sky blue set against warm cream, sand, and parchment tones, with subtle hints of golden ochre. For surrounding painted walls, we love soft warm off-white, light linen, or pale stone to maintain an airy atmosphere. If you prefer more color, a muted dusty blue or a warm sand tone on adjacent walls will pick up on the maritime palette and tie the entire room together.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are made-to-measure to fit your specific wall dimensions, which helps reduce unnecessary excess paper. We produce all our wall murals on PVC-free paper featuring a subtle physical structure, giving the finished wall a refined appearance. Designed to be straightforward and easy to hang, our wallpapers offer flexible options suited to both homeowners and renters looking to transform their interior spaces.