The New Trompe L'Oeil

Normally, I associate trompe l'oeil (or trick of the eye, literally), with Baroque paintings and Fornasetti plates from '60s. But thanks to my trusted informant Wikipedia (and much to my delight as an avowed classicist), I discovered that the technique of creating an optical illusion dates back to Greek and Roman times.

Well, what a coincidence. Many of these trompe l'oeil products from the New York International Gift Fair have a classical feel to them -- black-and-white, silhouetted and simple forms -- plus a dash of irony.

The Grandpa clock by Dutch company Jansen (shown right) riffs on the traditional clock, but is printed on a scroll of paper. And it's not just a a hanging witticism -- a working, ticking clock is affixed to it, making it functional and cool.

Disposable cutlery by Seletti also updates a traditional shape. This time, the shape of ornate silverware is cut out of disposable wood and decorated with a printed-on pattern. Those Italians are genius! And so eco-minded, too. You can actually wash and reuse these.


If you've always wanted a Marie Antoinette-style room, here's your chance -- just get your hands on Two Girls in Avignon's French Linen Panel. This one is a prototype, but stay tuned for the real thing very soon.























Another all-time favorite product from the gift fair are these paper-maché feathers from Gold Leaf Design Group. They are like little pieces of artwork! I'd love to see the bird that these came from! And finally, Dynomighty Design puts a 21st-century spin on the trompe with its Ms. Bag Mighty Tote featuring illustrations of a set of keys, an agenda, pills and other unmentionables. And one if its best features? It folds up into a little lightweight packet for those emergency shopping trips.

Read more about some favorite finds from the gift show.