The Centuries-Old Wall Decor Trend That's Seeing A Major Comeback

Although they've been around for centuries, gallery walls have been an especially popular interior design choice over the last decade, with many people using them as a way to display art in their homes. Lately, though, there's been some debate about whether they're still trendy or out of style. The answer to that question, however, isn't so black or white. While traditional gallery walls, which commonly feature a curated collection of photographs, posters, or prints, might not be as popular as they once were, people have started using more vintage-style art pieces — specifically portrait medals and intaglios — to create gallery walls in their houses.  

If you're not familiar with portrait medals and intaglios, both have deep historic roots that can bring an old-world charm to any space. Dating back all the way to the Renaissance, portrait medals are small, round medallions made of metal or stone that are engraved with a portrait — usually that of an important figure — similar to a coin. Intaglios, meanwhile, which trace back to ancient Mesopotamia, are small works of art created by carving an image — often a historical person, place, or landmark — into a round piece of plaster or gemstone. With traditional home décor seeing a major resurgence as of late (after years of the minimalist aesthetic leading interior design trends), more and more people are on the hunt for timeless pieces like these to incorporate a little more history and character into their homes. And what better way to showcase them than in a vintage-inspired gallery wall? 

If you're ready to start curating the perfect old-world gallery wall, the first place to look for vintage portrait medals and intaglios is, of course, your local flea markets and antique shops, where you'll likely snag the best deals. You might also be able to score some great pieces at estate sales, so keep an eye out for any that are happening in your area. If you're finding you're not having the best luck in person, though, you could also do a more specific search on websites that sell antique pieces, such as 1stDibs. The downside of this, of course, is prices will likely be higher than if you were to buy the art in person. 

The other option — if you're more interested in achieving a traditional look and aren't as concerned about finding original pieces — is to shop for newly made portrait medals and intaglios from online stores like Amazon or Wayfair. There are even websites where you can order your own custom portrait medals and intaglios to give your gallery wall a personal touch. If you've exhausted all these options, however, and still haven't found any pieces you love — but you still want a gallery wall with a traditional aesthetic — you could think about thrifting a collection of antique plates for your gallery wall instead. And as a bonus, this just so happens to be a vintage-inspired wall design that HGTV's Erin Napier loves.