The faux finishes of Terri Ackerly are being featured for the month of March
at the Hudson Valley Arts Center. Terri’s work ranges from floors to
furnishings and draws from historic formal traditions that are applied to meet
contemporary needs and design. Faux finishes played a large role in early
American design, with many formal estates during Federal period making use of
the rich color and design to add depth and dimension to well-to-do homes. The
revival of faux finishes in contemporary design expands on the colors, designs
and uses found in early periods.
Whether in her floor coverings to her furniture, Terri takes full advantage
of faux finishes to create depth and warmth. The traditional graining and
marbling is expanded to include contemporary themes and whimsy in some of her
work. It is in the ability to provide a sense of personalization that her work
can be differentiated from other work in the field of faux. Although her work
is a natural fit in the older homes found along the east coast, it is not left
behind in contemporary architecture. The use of color and pattern can be used
to great effect with many of the great open expanses or geometry found in many
newer homes. Her work provides a chance to soften the edges of the living
space.
