Couple recreates optical illusion painting on their front door

By Lauren Beavis via SWNS

A couple recreated a trick-of-the-eye painting on their front door - in honor of the architect who was banned from using bright colors on the house.

Kathy and Paul's house in Clifton in Bristol, England features a perspective-bending trompe l'oeil fresco of the inside of their hallway.

The home was originally bought in the 1960s by an architect who felt inspired to paint the front walls of the house a bright color.

His was denied by the council, which at the time was more conservative in the choices of colors allowed for the homes of residents.

The architect, unsatisfied with the dull tones available, took a creative stand with the assistance of a local art student.

They painted the front door as a trompe l'oeil - which in French means deception of the eye.

The following owner of the home chose to paint over the design, leaving its memory behind.

Then in 1988, Kathy and Paul Crossthwaite who will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next year, moved into the house.

The couple decorated the outside of their home conventionally for around 30 years until COVID-19 came along.

"We thought it would be great to recreate the original idea of the trompe l'oeil as it was always in the back of our minds that it was something we wanted to do," Paul said.

''So, when the pandemic hit we thought it was the perfect opportunity.''

The couple asked their friend David Brown, who is a gifted scenery artist for a local pantomime, to paint the door for them.

Since the painting started, the pair acquired a new addition to the family - Sprout the cockapoo.

On the right side of the door, you can see a small portrait that features Paul, his wife Kathy, and their dog, Sprout.

David decided to paint this in the style of 'American Gothic', one of America's most famous paintings by Grant Wood in 1930.

The couple expressed their delight as the design captures everyone's attention.

''All the delivery drivers tell us 'wow! we love your front door', it's made our day,'

''There are often people outside taking photographs and we love seeing people with big smiles on their face.

''We have not been contacted by the council or conservationists regarding the door's design and we do not think they are going to say anything now.''