There’s something timeless about the circus that sense of wonder, mischief, and make believe. It’s where imagination runs wild, and anything feels possible. Which is exactly why a circus wallpaper strikes the perfect balance between nostalgia and playfulness, appealing to both kids and parents alike
At Annika Reed Studio, our Run Away to the Circus wallpaper captures that same sense of wonder and nostalgia through hand carved woodblocks and richly layered storytelling. It’s designed to make a child’s space feel imaginative yet timeless a room that delights little dreamers and parents alike.
The circus has always symbolised a beautiful kind of rebellion, an escape from the everyday. The Run Away to the Circus wallpaper grew from this spirit. I wanted to bottle the excitement of childhood adventures, the freedom of imagination, and the charm of old world showmanship.
Each element in this circus wallpaper from balancing horses to tightrope walkers and striped tents was drawn, carved, and printed by hand using traditional woodblock printing techniques. This method gives the design its depth and rhythm; you can almost feel the movement of the performers and the texture of the ink.
But this is not a circus wallpaper of chaos. It’s one of balance, poise, and play. The composition is structured, the colour palette considered. It nods to vintage poster art while remaining firmly modern, with a painterly softness that sits beautifully in contemporary homes.
Colour Pairings: The Circus, Reimagined
The key to making a circus inspired room feel both playful and elegant lies in colour. Run Away to the Circus collection works beautifully with Mylands’ paints.
We’re kicking off with Run Away to the Circus in blue, and showing you how to style it in three different moods, each with a palette of three paint colours (for joinery, walls, ceiling, accents or soft furnishings) and a coordinating fabric pairing.
🎪 Mood 1: Soft & Storybook Circus Wallpaper
Dreamy and delicate, perfect for nurseries or calming kids’ spaces.
Paints: Mylands Acanthus Leaf, St Martin’s, Cavendish Cream.
Fabric pairing: Jester Lines – the same blue stripe, minus the circus acts, for a gentler touch.
🎪 Mood 2: Joyful & Bold Circus Wallpaper
Paints: Eaton Square, Haymarket, Indian Lake.
Fabric pairing: Somerset Stripes Mustard – playful and punchy, echoing the tented spirit of the wallpaper.
🎪 Mood 3: Maximalist Magic Circus Wallpaper
For those who want to dial up the drama and lean right into the theme.
Paints: St Martin’s, Eaton Square, Indian Lake .
Fabric pairing: Harlequin Parade Ground – a nod to vintage big tops and theatrical elegance.
Which mood are you drawn to?
Theme That Grows with the Child
A circus theme isn’t just for toddlers. With its unisex colour palette and elegant rhythm, it has real staying power. The design feels just as fitting in a nursery as it does in a playful older child’s bedroom. You can lean into the whimsy with scalloped ceilings and toy animals, or mature it with framed art and rich woods as the years pass.
It’s wallpaper that evolves from the days of bedtime stories to teenage creativity. That’s the power of great design: it adapts without losing its soul.
💫 Designed for Kids, Loved by Parents
Every print in the Run Away to the Circus collection celebrates imagination, British craftsmanship, and the timeless joy of pattern. It’s playful enough for children yet refined enough to complement a grown up home.
And perhaps that’s the secret of its appeal: the circus is where we all want to escape to now and then a place where joy reigns, and the ordinary is transformed into something spectacular.
