Gallery walls have emerged as one of the most beautiful ways to infuse personality and warmth into a space. We've seen thousands of takes on the look, but the one in Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana Lopilato's living room might just be the coolest to date.
Their alternative gallery wall features a row of black and white frames featuring family photos propped casually against the wall on top of their thin black fireplace mantle. Its relaxed styling gives a cheerful attitude combined with luxury design sensibility. It fits perfectly into their industrial chic space. Naturally, top interior designers love the unorthodox photo wall's roguish charm.
Designer Nicholas Kaiko tells Homes & Gardens: 'In this particular space, the casual nature of the deconstructed gallery wall complements the modern living room aesthetic without feeling rigid. The lack of symmetry and uniformity provides a visual contrast to the more structured elements in the room, such as the sleek furniture and clean lines of the architecture. It softens the overall look and adds personality, perhaps making the room feel more authentic and reflective of their taste.'
The alternative to a gallery wall further helps our eyes to focus in the room. Melissa Read, London-based principal designer at Studio Burntwood states: 'Michael Bublé's deconstructed gallery wall represents a playful design approach to styling. The black frames tie in nicely with other features in the space, including the sleek steel architecture. The frames help to add contrast to an otherwise simple wall, adding a playful focal point. This design feature allows flexibility with placement whilst also allowing the photographs to be updated with ease.'
If you're wondering 'are gallery walls still in style?,' the answer is yes. Buble's look can have stunning effect for any home. Kaiko states: 'A deconstructed gallery wall like the one in this room breaks away from the formality of the perfectly aligned, creating a more relaxed and personal atmosphere. It feels curated, yet unpretentious, which makes the space feel lived-in and approachable. This kind of arrangement allows for greater freedom in how each piece is showcased, giving each artwork its own moment while contributing to a collective narrative.'
However, the style in isolation doesn't mean as much as when it's coordinated with other furnishings, such as the living room lighting. 'The interplay between the deconstructed gallery wall and the statement lighting is crucial in maintaining balance within the space,' says Kaiko. 'The lighting installation, with its numerous hanging fixtures, is bold and eye-catching. However, because it is suspended and occupies the upper visual plane of the room, it doesn’t overwhelm the gallery wall, which sits lower in the space. This separation in levels allows both elements to shine without competing for attention.'
He continues, 'The lighting also casts a soft glow that highlights the art pieces, enhancing their presence while ensuring that the room doesn’t feel overly cluttered. Additionally, both the gallery wall and the lighting share a sense of randomness in their arrangement—the scattered lights echo the casual layout of the artwork, creating harmony through contrast.'
Easily coordinate your frames with this gorgeous gallery wall set in black and white
DIY tips for a similar gallery wall requires more forethought than you might think. Kaiko states: 'To replicate this look strike a balance between investment pieces and more accessible options. For the gallery wall mix artwork of varying sizes, frames and styles to create that deconstructed, casual vibe. You don’t need to stick to expensive original pieces—personal photos, prints, or even DIY artwork can be incorporated. The key is in the arrangement, allowing for a variety of shapes and orientations that feel curated but not too perfect. For an added luxury touch, investing in one or two standout pieces or custom frames can elevate the look.'
Further, be sure to consider the rest of the room in your vision. As for living room ceiling lighting, Kaiko recommends that readers: 'Look for multi-bulb pendant lights or chandeliers with a cascading design. To maintain the luxe feel, opt for fixtures with interesting textures, like frosted glass or metallic finishes.'
Choosing the right materials for the room also determine the success of this look. He states: 'The subtle brick wall backdrop and the neutral tones of the furnishings allow the gallery wall and lighting to stand out. Choose complementary, understated wall finishes and neutral-toned furniture. A balance of soft textiles like cushions or throws and sleek, modern furniture can help ground the design and make the statement elements stand out.'
Infusing your personality into your home is always the right choice.
