Interiors/Entertaining/Outdoor Living

Trompe L’ oeil: Decorative Painting on Furniture

designing with confidence blog

Trompe L’ oeil is a decorative painting technique that uses photographically painted objects that gives the illusion of being three-dimensional. Dating back to 400 BC during the Roman and Greek empires, the decorative techniques were used to create illusion of more space on ceilings and walls in churches and palaces.  The French word, trompe l’ oeil is pronounced trump loyle   

We are going take a tour of my daughter’s bedroom (who is now married), where I have used the decorative art of trompe l’oeil to paint a chest and a desk. I made the objects very personable for her to enjoy for a life time. WINK WINK!

trompe L 'oeil painting
The chest is from her French provincial 1980 bedroom furniture that was used as a night table for an updated bedroom. The trompe l’ oeil decorative technique on the chest showcases her high school graduation photo.  A bow at the top of the picture frames makes it seem to be hanging from the drawer. WINK WINK! The second drawer shows a fuchsia ribbon and a Battenberg handkerchief hanging out of the drawer, which adds balance to the design.
trompe l' oeil painted desk
View of the desk in the room showing the trompe l’ oeil decorative technique.
trompe l' oeil desk
The trompe l’ oeil cards are from her collection of note cards saved through out her childhood.
trompe l'oeil painted desk
The trompe l’oeil painting of her passport was embellished  by adding a colorful ribbon and keys to the jewelry box.
painted gold bracelet
As the collection grew, the trompe l’oeil gold coin bracelet took  several years to complete. WINK WINK!  It was a trick to keep the acrylic paint in the same tones. A water base matte  finish were  to preserve the work.
trompe l' oeil furniture
You can view the chest and the desk as you enter the room. Because, the room is rather large, it is able to carry two painted pieces and still  look important. WINK WINK!

 

 

 

 

Trumps l' oeil furniture.
This is a view looking toward the entrance.
trumpe l' oeil building
Artist Ciaran  Brennan of Wexford, Ireland  really got into the party mood last year when he painted trompe l’ oeil on the outside of his house for his annual house party.  WINK WINK! He even placed real balloons in the front of each wall enhancing the illusion.  Bet is was a fabulous party!

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