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The piano! BEFORE: {Now, wood lovers, brace yourself.} {And yes, I did my research prior to painting, this piano wasn't anything sp...

The Piano - Before & After

12:21 PM ,

The piano!

BEFORE:

{Now, wood lovers, brace yourself.}
{And yes, I did my research prior to painting, this piano wasn't anything special or worth a great sum of money.} I braced myself for a week long project but was shocked when I finished in 24 hours!
This hurt me. I cringed the entire time sanding this baby. Especially sanding the "Starr" logo away.
AFTER:
Here she is, folks!
My mom swears it looks mint green... it's very pale blue.
The color was called "Frostina".
Where the "Starr" logo used to be, I used my Cavallini stamp to add a little sumpin. Now the piano says "Hello!" in French. My piano speaks French!

I think it looks divine against the pale gray we just painted the walls.
I also distressed the piano, as shown here, so that she looks old & pretty.
Here is my dilemma, I'm having so much trouble dressing the piano! Should I leave the front...
Adorn it with our family silhouettes?
Or my antique music books? I love these.

What do you think?

{PS - For those wondering where to score a cheap old piano, my mother-in-law scored this one for us at an auction for $75 if I remember correctly. Craigslist is also a great source!}

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27 *´¯`* ℓσvεℓү cσммεηтs *´¯`*

  1. TraceyMarch 2, 2010 at 7:01 PM

    You are so brave! I love how the piano turned out and Frostina is a beautiful color too! I personally like the silhouettes. Now I am wanting a piano to paint and decorate...so lovely!

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  2. DestinyMarch 2, 2010 at 7:06 PM

    First of all...I LOVE the piano painted white...wish I would have considered that before getting rid of ours (the wood tone didn't match my house anymore) - next, I think that it looks best with the vintage books displayed on it. Looks great!!!!

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  3. Jill@Barnes YardMarch 2, 2010 at 7:52 PM

    Oh my word! Amazing! I love it! I'm thinking either the family pics or blank, but that's just me :)
    -Jill

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  4. Jessica MarieMarch 2, 2010 at 11:17 PM

    You did such a BEAUTIFUL job! I love it and I love how you gave it a distressed look! It sure lightens up the room too! I love both the family silhouettes and the antique music books. I think if you are not playing out of the books, to put them away and put the pictures back on. Just an idea! :)

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  5. wesMarch 3, 2010 at 4:20 AM

    Love Love Love the new look of your piano! It fits beaautiful into your space. You've inspired me to start the search for an old piano! :) I like the look of the antique music books, but the silouhette portraits are more personal:) You could also pull out some of your favorite sheets of music and have them framed for over the piano, or used as a matting for pictures over the piano. Great work!! :) I invite you over to my blog... I have your button to your charming site posted in my sidebar:) I am a new blogger and would love any advice :) Thanks for inspiring me!
    Wesley
    www.theshabbygarden.blogspot.com

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  6. UnknownMarch 3, 2010 at 10:55 AM

    Silhouette portraits definitely! Great make-over.

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  7. the decorated cookieMarch 3, 2010 at 5:22 PM

    This is FANTASTIC! I've been considering a piano for my 2 year old some day, as she seems so inclined, but was hesitant for the eyesore factor (considering, I'm, um, frugal, and would most likely get a similar, used piano). You've changed my mind! I love either display, too.

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  8. HeatherMarch 3, 2010 at 5:54 PM

    Wow, thank you for all the truly lovely comments, I'm flattered you all like it so much!

    Piano painting is rare, people either love wood or are scared away by the prospect of painting something so big and complex. But if any of you do it, I must see before & afters!!!

    Cheers,
    Heather

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  9. Lisa @ Fern Creek CottageMarch 4, 2010 at 10:10 PM

    ooooh, she is so pretty now! I like the vintage music books!

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  10. BrendaMarch 5, 2010 at 5:04 AM

    wow -- I love the look - I have my Grandmother's piano and have it stuck in a spare bedroom - hummm thanks for your idea..I also have a grandfather clock that i have been considering painting..you've inspired me to think that might just be OK to do it...

    great job...I'm your new follower as I want to see what else you may come up with - you seem to not have fear...

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    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 25, 2015 at 9:21 PM

      Did u paint your grandfather clock? I have one, but hate mahogany colored wood in my modern home. My hubby is refusing, but if I can show a pretty picture he might reconsider

      Delete
  11. Jennifer {Studio JRU}March 5, 2010 at 10:18 AM

    That looks fantastic! Great job!! I like the books... they just 'pop' against the pale blue.
    ~Jennifer
    www.studiojru.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. inadvertent farmerMarch 5, 2010 at 10:31 AM

    Ok...I usually just go and peek at all these furniture re-do's but darn yours is just too cool not to say...it ROCKS! Kim

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  13. HeatherMarch 5, 2010 at 10:59 AM

    Thanks Kim & Jennifer and all the other comment authors! You are all too sweet.
    I love it, but I didn't think it'd get such a huge response!

    ;-)

    Cheers,
    Heather

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  14. stephie hicksMarch 5, 2010 at 5:53 PM

    Turned out fabulous!!

    I'm hosting a giveaway at my blog!! Stop by and check it out!!

    http://madebystephie.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-first-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. Miss Mustard SeedMarch 10, 2010 at 7:33 PM

    It looks so pretty! I love the antique music resting on it. I have a very similar piano, but it's by a different maker and has a bit more detail. Anyway, the light blue paint is heavenly.

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  16. The Comfort GirlMarch 12, 2010 at 5:06 AM

    I love it! I am actually picking up a free piano this evening and am considering painting it. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  17. Jacinda VandenbergMarch 12, 2010 at 5:44 AM

    Wow! I'm impressed! I'm trying to convince my wood-loving hubby to let me do the same but I don't think it'll work. ;) I like both the portrait and music book displays.

    Great job! :)

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  18. KimMalkMarch 12, 2010 at 12:19 PM

    Antique books, antique books! Good for you, sometimes those old pianos just look old. It looks fresh and fun.

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  19. ErinMarch 12, 2010 at 9:55 PM

    I vote for the vintage music books. Thanks for sharing this project. We're getting a piano from some people who don't want theirs anymore. I've never seen it, but I don't think it's priceless. I really want to paint it turquoise. Thanks for taking the plunge with paint!

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  20. Sweet Bee CottageMarch 13, 2010 at 9:37 PM

    I want to paint my piano too. Maybe this will convince my husband. I love the antique sheet music with it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. PraveenMarch 25, 2010 at 10:49 AM

    This is fantastic, I love, love love the old piano books, brilliant!

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  22. Amy HadleyApril 16, 2010 at 4:51 PM

    Found your blog from a comment you posted on another (http://strawberryshoppe.blogspot.com/). LOVE that you had the guts to paint a piano! It went from grandma to gimme! And personally, I love the juxtaposition of the old books against the crisp piano. I also think it'd be fun to cover the bench with some cool fabric to add a pop of interest "below the waist."

    ReplyDelete
  23. HeatherApril 16, 2010 at 4:56 PM

    Sweet Bee - It took a while to convince my husband too. Finally he gave in and said I just don't care anymore, after months of threats that I was going to paint it. :-)

    RNL & Amy - thanks for your comments! I'm so glad people like my piano, I was nervous doing it but so glad I did.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The Pennington PointJune 7, 2010 at 2:03 PM

    Oh my goodness! LOL! We did the same thing. Good for you! It looks wonderful. I love the little stamp on the front. How chic. :) I'm going to follow your blog....I'll bet we have a lot in common. Lisa~

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousOctober 28, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    You must know I am a wood lover--the warmth of the color and feeling of movement in the grain...However, i must say you did a beautiful job on damaged wood! Although the portraits are lovely, they give me a cold feeling as opposed to the warmth of the antique music books which one feels compelled to read with reflection of those good old days--Joplin, for instance. I love Joplin and ragtime! The music books complement the music theme.
    The portraits will be better placed where they are the focal point--not to distract from the piano which deserves the focal point. And that's my opinion...Gramma

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  26. UnknownAugust 25, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    Your piano is beautiful. Can u give me some advice? Sanding, priming? Spray? And what did u do with the piano keys while painting, did u remove them?

    ReplyDelete

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