Tricks and Treats for the Eye

Tricks and Treats for the Eye

While walking down a road in my Brooklyn neighborhood I’d a double-take once I saw this sign. At first glance, it seemed to be a metal sign. As soon as I got near enough, however, I found it was a trompe l’oeil sign — it was simply painted on an exterior wall of the shop to appear three-dimensional.

Trompe l’oeil is French for”fool the eye,” and there are some super entertaining examples of home decor that produce this optical illusion using realistic imagery. Here are a couple favorites.

Shanna Murray Illustrated Decals

Laurel Mirror Bundle – $50

Hands down, my favorite collection of wall decals is designed by Shanna Murray. I adore the wreath and ivy imagery in her designs. This wreath mirror kit comprises a round mirror and a wreath decal. It’s a sweet and whimsical drama on a mirror.

Brunschwig & Fils

Secret garden background

I fell in love with this background once I spotted it. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a sunny wall of a bedroom covered in this design? You would feel as if you’re sleeping in a secret English garden.

TIP: Consider positioning with a trompe l’oeil background similar to this design. For example, a wall with ivy peeking wouldn’t be found in a room. This pattern would function best on a wall with windows to make it appear more realistic.

TIP: Here’s a few more inspiration on different ways to use background.

ABC Home & Carpet

Wood grain linen cushion by kevin o’brien – $120

Faux bois is a stylish pattern that is now a classic. There are so many decorative ways to bring the illusion of timber into the house. This pillow is a simply chic illustration of faux bois.

TIP: You are able to make a faux bois remedy in your walls utilizing Martha Stewart’s decorative paint kit.

ferm LIVING

ferm LIVING – WallStickers Timber – EUR 85

Here’s a contemporary spin on trompe l’oeil that is sure to be eye catching — a massive tree that looks like it is in the distance. Envision this decal.

TIP: Wall decals are a great, affordable solution for a space where you can’t wallpaper — or do not wish to bother with the job entailed. 1 big wall decal can be an instantaneous pick-me-up for a space. From the bedroom, the headboard is frequently a focal point. If you can’t afford the headboard of your dreams, consider a trompe l’oeil headboard wall decal that gives the illusion of a three dimensional bit — and seems equally as cool.

trilliumnantucket.com

John Derian – 8″ X 10.5″ Rectangle Trays – $110

Many of the decoupaged trays by John Derian play around with trompe l’oeil, such as this one, which is apparently a stack of classic laptops.

Twelve South

BookBook Case – Twelve South – $99

I have this notebook case in red and get comments on it all the time. The case truly looks like a classic book and always fools people. The case retains my notebook protected and undercover when I bring it out — a functional spin on trompe l’oeil.

Deborah Bowness

Deborah Bowness – Books wallpaper

All the wallpapers by Deborah Bowness play the illusion of 3 dimensions. My favorite pattern is that the bookshelf. I love the appearance of books stacked up high on shelves. If we can background our space, I would choose this paper to go behind our enormous flatscreen television, so the large, black box of a TV wouldn’t stand out as much.

Urban Outfitters

Trompe L’Oeil Floor Mat – $50

Urban Outfitters frequently includes a collection of trompe l’oeil floor mats that are playful additions to a space. I love this painted floor rug. It’s especially fun used on a wood planked floor to further play the illusion.

ferm LIVING

ferm LIVING – WallStickers – Sewing Kit – EUR 38

This was too absurd not to share. These wall stickers from Ferm-Living can go anywhere and seem to be a sewing pattern that you want to cut out. You can be creative with positioning — believe around trash cans, either a window or your media unit.

John Derian Company

Mirror button – $12

This decoupaged pocket mirror by John Derian performs on a few optical illusions. The eye and round shape of the mirror make it look like the eye is peering through a porthole. The design is on the back of a mirror, which performs the concept of looking at oneself in a mirror.

More: Secret Passages and Hidden Areas
More photographs that fool the eye

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