When it comes to the fake factor, this newly renovated Melbourne cottage is up with the best of them. In fact, when Tara Dennis stepped through the front door, she found it hard to tell the difference between reality and illusion.

The restoration is in a style reminiscent of the Victorian era, with full decorative finishes and murals both inside and outside. However, the owners had to resort to fake finishes in order to create the right sort of atmosphere without blowing the budget. The panelling and the architraves around the murals are plaster with a woodgrain finish, the archway is plaster with a marble finish and the walls are painted with a sandstone finish.

Trick of the eye

The pièce de résistance when it comes to fakery in this house is a fabulous trompe l'oeil of the Italian countryside, which artist Tiffany Calder conjured up from a boring, brick wall. Trompe l'oeil is a French phrase meaning 'to fool the eye', and it's the name of an art form which is all about illusion, subterfuge, escapism and fun. The technique involves using the laws of perspective to create an impression of depth on flat walls, and unlike ordinary murals, the result is often so convincing it's hard to tell just what is real and what's fake. Tiffany paints her trompe l'oeils on canvas, so that if the clients move they can take their artwork with them

As Tiffany explained to Tara, trompe l'oeil is a great way of making a small backyard look bigger. Combining real objects with the trompe l'oeil, or including something personal belonging to the client, are ways of making the illusion seem even more convincing, as well as adding a little touch of humour.

The cost

Each job is different and costs vary depending on the subject matter, degree of detail required and the amount of time needed for completion. Expect to pay from $500 per day for a trompe l'oeil.

Trompe l'oeil specialists Tiffany Calder, Creative Solutions,  Mobile: 0419 886 420. Mark Geldard Painted Finishes, 138 Grosvenor St, Wahroonga, NSW, 2076. Phone: (02) 9487 7554. Mobile: 0412 622 102. James Blackie & Franca Crea, Aesthetics, 403 Burwood Highway, Vermont South, VIC 3133. Phone: (03) 9803 5585.  Mobile: 0411 149 009.  

Copyright CTC Productions 2003