Artist creates one-of-a-kind furniture

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on November 30, 2007

From the cream and blue painted bible box to the bed painted with pastoral scenes, artist Lindsay Palermo reaches to the past to create items for the present that will last into the future.

Palermo will one of the artists at the 12th annual Amherst Artisan's Fair at the Amherst College Alumni House Dec. 1 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The artisans donate a portion of sales to benefit Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. In addition, potter Mary Knightly sells ceramic houses to benefit Habitat.

"Most of my reference is historic. I do a lot of research on period furniture," said Palermo, who has traveled to Europe to study French- and Scandinavian-decorated painted furniture. She takes lots of photographs and has a good library for reference and documents all her projects in a photo albums.

Her Leverett studio, sitting a few yards from her home, has power tools, shelves with brushes and cans of paints, tables with sheets covered with design sketches. She uses a water-based acrylic latex paint because of its low toxicity. Her projects predominate with chests, tables, trays, candlesticks and kitchen cabinet doors in bright reds and greens filling the available space.

Palermo said her mother influenced on her work. "She would go to tag sales and flea markets, buy furniture and refurbish it. She would say to me, You could paint a little something on that.' And I did."

In addition, her mother-in-law was a decorative painter. "It's a family tradition," she said, pointing to a painted dish created by her mother-in-law that hangs on the wall.

While her background is in art, she didn't begin painting wood. She has a degree in printmaking from the University of Massachusetts, graduating in 1972. After graduation, Palermo opened a graphic design business, Design Works, that she had for 25 years. She did logos and graphics for stores and businesses in the Valley. One of her clients was the Cedar Chest in Thornes Marketplace in Northampton.

Cedar Chest sold furniture and that inspired her in 1995 to start painting. She began with wooden items, such as clock bases, candlesticks and trays. She started selling her pieces to area craft fairs, participating in about 10 shows a year.

She was painting and doing craft fairs while still involved with her graphic design business. But traveling to shows was a challenge.

"Furniture is heavy stuff to carry around. You get a flat, pack in rain. People don't have any idea how hard a process it is to exhibit."

Between the hassle and competition from cheap imports, she stopped the craft fair circuit. However, she continues with the Artisan Fair.

"I want to keep the local connection. It's such a fun show. I see friends. I see my customers who are my friends. I've gone into their homes for years. It's like family," she said.

She has now switched to full time with her painted decorated furniture, doing custom projects and working with designers. She has done single pieces, as well as whole rooms for clients from New Hampshire to Connecticut. She has stayed with clients when doing major projects.

Following her mother's example, she looks for pieces at auctions and antique shops. Her husband, Kurt Adams, a pilot, helps. The couple have two sons, Jackson and Alex. He builds many of the pieces for her. For example, he created the bed with various woods on which she painted the landscape. That piece took nine months, off and on, to complete.

Palermo said her pieces are painted to withstand pets and children and are for everyday use. She varnishes the pieces to keep them from getting damaged.

"These are not collector's pieces. Something painted looks good in a show room but doesn't fit it the context of home. My work is for generations," she said.

Recently Palermo has ventured into a new genre: murals. Her work can be scene at the Leverett Elementary School. She also has painted murals in private homes inspired by the beauty of the valley.

Besides Palermo the other artists at the fair are: Chena River Marblers; First Mountain Design; Mary Knightly, pottery; Pat Haine Simply Woven; Sheila Lyford, water colors; Sow's Ear; Steve Stamas, jewelry; Stockbridge Herbs and Stitches; Susan Mulholland, seriography; and The Wisteria Vine.