Trompe-l'oeil (pronounced Tromp-loy) is a French term meaning `deceives the eye' and refers to painted illusions that fool the viewer for a few seconds. You could be sitting in a basement in London then look out of a trompe l'oeil window across the vineyards of southern France. Or a bathroom can be given some Roman splendour with ivy covered columns. You are only limited by your imagination.