Adding traditional style to a moody navy dining room using scenic antique-style landscape paintings on peel-and-stick mural wallpaper
I finally gathered the courage to install the antique landscape peel-and-stick mural wallpaper in the dining room, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
There’s something about large decorating projects that makes me talk myself out of them, only to return later, drawn by the image of the finished room. That loop repeated itself with this room: I wanted the finished result, but felt intimidated by actually doing the work. Wallpapering always gives me pause, no matter how many times I’ve done it in different ways. Still, once I committed and started, the process moved faster than I expected.
What the Dining Room Looked Like Before
Four years ago the dining room had a very different energy. It felt unfinished and disconnected from the rest of the house. I’ve included a photo so you can see the baseline that led me to this dramatic update.
Dining Room Progress
Over time the room evolved: I added picture frame molding, painted the walls with a deep, moody navy, installed a shaded chandelier I scored secondhand, hung pleated curtains, and brought in the furniture. Those improvements gave the room structure and atmosphere, but it still needed a focal point—something to elevate it from pretty to memorable.
Dining Room After Adding Mural Wallpaper
Adding the scenic antique-style mural wallpaper changed everything. The murals create an unexpected traditional touch that works beautifully against the moody navy paint. From across the room the panels read like hand-painted canvases, bringing depth and narrative without overwhelming the space.
Where to Buy and How to Hang Peel-and-Stick Murals
I collected a selection of scenic mural wallpapers in different price ranges before choosing these panels. Peel-and-stick murals have come a long way; the texture and painterly detail on this design make it look custom and artisanal at a glance.
For installation, I recommend tackling the mural in sections and working inside the picture frame molding whenever possible. Wallpapering inside trimmed frames is much easier than covering an entire wall and gives the mural a framed, finished look. Take careful measurements, smooth each strip as you apply it, and trim precisely where the molding meets the paper to keep clean lines. If you’re nervous about seams, align patterns and use a smoothing tool to press edges firmly into place—step back frequently to check alignment.
The mural evokes marshland views that remind me of favorite coastal vacation spots, which adds a personal, sentimental layer to the room. Unless you get up close and look for seams, the panels read as a continuous painted scene.
Decorating Around the Wall Murals
I kept the buffet styling intentionally minimal so the mural remains the star. A simple arrangement of dried hydrangeas and a couple of low-profile accessories complements the scene without competing with it. In autumn I brought in muted seasonal elements—dried blooms and natural textures—so the room feels warm without becoming fussy.
The shaded chandelier and pleated curtains add classic elegance, while the navy walls and painted molding ground the space and make the mural pop. The overall look blends traditional and modern elements so it feels timeless rather than tied to a single trend.
Now the dining room feels complete. It may be the first time I’ve followed a single design plan from start to finish without changing course, and that satisfaction is rare. The room doesn’t fit neatly into one style box—parts are traditional, parts are modern, and parts are coastal—but together they reflect our family’s aesthetic.
Dining Room Sources
- Wall color: Romabio Blue Ridge Parkway
- Ceiling color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Buffet: DIY grasscloth makeover from a secondhand find
- Chandelier: shaded chandelier sourced secondhand
- Peel-and-stick mural wallpaper: scenic antique-style landscape panels
- Curtains and rods: pleated curtains with classic hardware
- Rug, dining table, and chairs: classic pieces with modern lines
- Accessories: dried hydrangeas, terracotta vase, blue glazed jug, buffet lamps, concrete bowl, and decorative books
Finishing this room makes the other half-complete projects around the house feel less overwhelming, and having it ready for upcoming family gatherings is the perfect bonus. For anyone considering a wallpaper mural: if a dramatic focal point is what you want, a scenic peel-and-stick mural is a surprisingly approachable way to get that custom, painted look without the permanent commitment.
