Trompe l'oeil- The Interior

While rare in its combination of architectural styles and construction methods, extensive trompe l’oeil marbelizing or faux marble, stenciling, graining, and murals throughout the home, elevate the structure’s historic significance. Such decoration was often view as “man’s mastery over nature” and the illusion of expensive woods and stone without the need for importation. Though the decorating artist’s name has been lost, we can enjoy his work as much of this decoration remains. Many homes of the period were decorated with faux marble baseboards and mantles. At the Octagon, such decoration eclipsed most others as each room was accented with differing hues of marble. Extensive marbelizing of the parlor walls was painstakingly created, giving the illusion of walking into a marble temple of pink and blue hues. Visitors would have been awestruck when entering this world of artistic illusion.