This week’s Wallpaper Wednesday takes us on a journey to 18th-century India with the breathtaking Garland of Ragini mural from the V&A collection by 1838 Wallcoverings.

At first glance, it’s a stunning landscape filled with elegant peacocks, lotus blossoms, stylized palms, and a tranquil riverside scene awash in rich blues, greens, and aqua hues. But the story behind it is what makes it truly special.

The mural is based on an original Indian miniature painting dating to around 1700 that now resides in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The artwork was part of a Ragamala series, or “Garland of Ragas,” a celebrated tradition in Indian art that transformed music into visual storytelling. Each painting represented a specific musical mode, known as a raga or ragini, using symbolic imagery, emotion, romance, and nature to bring the melody to life.

What began as a delicate hand-painted work intended to be held in the palm of your hand has been dramatically enlarged into a grand-scale mural while preserving the spirit and beauty of the original masterpiece. The result is a wallcovering that feels both historic and fresh, blending centuries-old artistry with modern-day drama.

As a lover of maximalism, color, and anything featuring a fabulous peacock, this one checks every box. It’s romantic, exotic, and wonderfully transportive. If your walls are craving a little history, culture, and unapologetic beauty, Garland of Ragini delivers all three in spectacular fashion.

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