Trompe l'oeil

Trompe l'oeil, which means "trick the eye" in French, is a style of art that first occurred in the Renaissance and which has persisted to this day. With the discover of the techniques of perspective, an artist could then create drawn or painted images which mimicked the appearance of scenes from real-life on a canvas or surface.

Most people are familiar with trompe l'oeil paintings as being used to create a blue sky and clouds on a ceiling, or to make it seem like the wall of their favorite restaurant is old and crumbling. They can also render door or windows on walls where they don't really exist, or even make it appear as if a pool or chasm are suddenly in the middle of a downtown sidewalk.

But trompe l'oeil can be as simple as a faux finish too. Painting something to look like marble or brick when it's wood can add beauty and fun to the home environment.

Because these images work to create an illusion, most often you will want to place a trompe l'oeil painting in a spot that is enclosed or which has some sort of architectural detailing that will accent the appearance of the illusion.

Rooms with no windows - For spaces that are enclosed and without a view, a trompe l'oeil can not only add almost any kind of view you might want, they help create the feeling that the space is larger and less enclosed than it really is.

Closed archways - An archway that has been bricked up or otherwise closed is a great location for a trompe l'oeil as the recessed shape naturally makes a great frame for the painted image.

Columns or posts - A simple architectural upright can become a Grecian column if the highlights and shadows are painted on just right. Faux brick or rock textures are also fun to do on posts, or even rough-hewn wood.

Ceilings - Whether it's a blue sky with clouds, a starry night or some ceiling tiles that give the illusion of old-fashioned detailing, ceilings are a great spot for trompe l'oeil.

Faux flooring - To add some illusion to a floor, you might consider tiles that makes it look like a material that it's not really made from (wood, marble) or a fanciful rug that looks like a koi pond, or anything else that strikes your fancy.