Wallpaper - Old East View of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1856

Our Old East View of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1856 wallpaper brings an expansive historic panorama into the home. Depicting the mid-nineteenth-century waterfront, the composition pairs a detailed urban skyline and lush riverbanks with a broad expanse of water dotted with period sailboats and steamships. Earthy sepia tones anchor the architectural landscape, contrasted naturally by the soft sky blues across the open water and horizon. Created by Kollner, this scenic design offers a tranquil sense of place and historical depth. Like all our wall murals, this design is made to measure to fit your exact wall dimensions on PVC-free paper with a subtle paper structure.

In the room

Because this is an expansive panoramic motif, we think it works best on a wider, uninterrupted wall where the full breadth of the river and city skyline can unfold naturally. In a living room, placing this mural wallpaper behind a low-backed sofa allows the horizon and finer maritime details to remain fully visible across the room. It also feels right at home in a dedicated home library or reading room, where the detailed nineteenth-century architecture and tranquil water view bring a grounded, nostalgic atmosphere. For rooms with standard ceiling heights, the balance between the open sky and the detailed lower half keeps the space feeling open rather than enclosed.

Styling it

We like pairing this historic panorama with classic heritage elements and understated modern pieces that let the artwork take centre stage.

• Choose warm, darker woods like antique mahogany, walnut, or aged oak to complement the earthy tones of the urban landscape.
• Keep surrounding upholstery in quieter, woven textiles in muted oatmeal or soft linen tones so the pattern remains the visual focus.
• Add subtle brass or antiqued bronze accents through lighting and hardware to echo the nineteenth-century character of the motif.

Colour combinations

The wallpaper itself combines muted earthy browns, warm ochres, and antique stone tones with soft sky blues and quiet pale waters. When painting adjacent walls, woodwork, or built-in cabinetry, we suggest pulling from these subdued shades. A soft warm off-white or light parchment on surrounding walls keeps the overall room bright while framing the scene gently. If you want a more enveloping palette, a muted slate blue or dusty navy drawn from the water tones works wonderfully on wainscoting, bookcases, or interior doors.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, we produce our wallpapers made to measure based on the dimensions you supply for your wall. Custom production helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared with buying standard fixed-size rolls. Our wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical surface structure. They are designed to be straightforward to hang, making them a practical choice whether you are decorating your own home or personalising a rented space.