Monday, October 17, 2011

The Painted Piano

Ever since I started blogging, I think I've been talking about painting my piano.  Well, I finally bit the bullet and did it!

Here's the before:
The piano was a freebie, given to us my some friends who no longer wanted it.  It was a very dark wood and not in good shape.

Here's the after:

Much brighter and happier.  Did you notice that I'm missing a few pics from my gallery wall?  Those would be the ones that fell on the floor and shattered.  Must reframe and rehang.

I think I put off this project for so long because I thought it was going to be really difficult.  Quite the contrary.  The piano was easy to paint because it basically has straight, square lines without a lot of nooks and crannies.

The hardest part was painting around the keys.  Here's what I did:
I simply taped around the keys, shoving the tape down into the crack between the wood and keys.  This worked really well.  It might have been luck, but I didn't get any paint on the keys.

Look what I found on the inside lid of the piano.

The wood was originally so pretty and had a beautiful trademark.  I didn't even know this was inside of the piano.  Here's a close-up:

And another "after" shot:

A couple of details:
  • I started with sanding the piano down and taping off the pedals and keys.
  • I used Behr Ultra Premium Paint Plus Primer in Martha Stewart's Sultana.  I thought I would be able to skip a step in using the paint and primer in one, but I still ended up having to paint 3 coats.  I used a semi-gloss finish.
A couple of concerns/questions:
  • I was hoping the paint color would be a little more olive - maybe a little darker, but I don't really feel like repainting it.
  • Should I try going over it with a coat of stain or a dark glaze to make it darker?
Overall, I'm happy with the fresh, bright look it gives this wall of our home.  What do you think?

I'm linking this piece to some of these great blogs:
Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just a Housewife, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Bella Before and After, Primitive and Proper, Home Stories of A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, Type A Decorating, http://sistersstuff.blogspot.com/, The Thrifty Home, Domestically Speaking, Primp,
A Diamond in the Stuff, Restore Interiors, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Beyond the Picket Fence, Fireflies and Jellybeans,My Simple Home Life,
Addicted 2 Decorating, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Fabulous, Tatertots and Jello, Under the Table and Dreaming, Thrifty Decor Chick, Coastal Charm, Junker Newbie, Serenity Now

26 comments:

Kelli @ The Loss Cause said...

Yay! I'm so happy you painted your piano! It looks so great!

Katie said...

It looks awesome Suzy! It really brightens up your space! I'd probably let it sit for a week or two and see if the color grows on you. If not then maybe try a glaze. Did you paint the back? You could glaze just the back and see if you like that better!

Janet said...

You did a beautiful job painting your piano. Love it!

Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} said...

Amazing job! I have a client who is dying to do this to a piano! I'll send your link her way ;)

Sadie + Stella said...

Looks great Suzy! You are well on your way with your e-design! Cannot wait to see the finished products.

www.sadieandstella.blogspot.com

SkinnyMeg said...

It's so pretty! I love the color you picked, so happy!

Holly Gruszka said...

I have to admit, I was a little scared when you've talked about painting it (but I obviously didn't know the story behind if it even had a story, which is sounds like it doesn't FREE is the key word), so I really love the new look - I think that color looks great especially with the bench. I actually saw a piano very similar to this one on the side of the road the other day and thought of you.

Rhiannon said...

I love it! It makes such a big difference. You have a great eye for these things, well done!

Unknown said...

I want a piano now!, good job, it looks lovely!

A room with a view said...

I think it looks great..no need to change it. Behr Prem Ultra plus is great but I guess you were trying to attain a stronger color. I would say live with it for a while. You really have done a great job. Did you paint it in the house..it might have been quite/very heavy to move to the garage.

Kahli said...

It looks great in that shade of green :)

Rachel said...

I love the fun color! Looks wonderful!! I'm new to your blog...but I love that gallery wall, too!

the junk in our trunks said...

I love the green, you did a great jobe. if you get a chance check out some of the pianos I have done. i am currently working on a dark red farm look for a beater of a piano. I hope it turns out as pretty as yours. I would leave it, it looks great as is.
Kathryn

andrea@townandprairie said...

I think it currently looks very fresh and modern, yet still retro in a sunshiney way! andrea@townandprairie

Cassie Bustamante said...

love it! so cheerful! pianos always have this ominous presence, but yours is lovely and light now!

Unknown said...

That looks great!! I just gave my piano a coat of baby blue and still have to do another coat before I post it! Love, love your color!! Great job!

Ladybird Ln said...

I think the color is beautiful... I am a huge glazing fan, so I might add it, but it looks beautiful as well. I just painted my piano, the link to my post is below. I love the upright, so pretty.

Carlee
http://www.ladybirdln.com/2011/10/red-piano.html

Crafty Mischief said...

This is absolutely beautiful! I wish I had the guts to do this with my piano! I found you through Blue Cricket Design. Thanks for sharing! I love the wall behind the piano too. Just lovely!

Gwen said...

Umm, you know I'm say it looks great.. The color looks great... What a great idea to cover the keys with tape... you must have a brain that functions... unlike someone else i know...

You could use wax to darken it... If you just haaaad to...

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That looks great. Sorry about the pictures. Sounds like what happens around here.

Revi said...

I love it! It is a nice fresh color. Brave girl. :)

April@MySacredSojourn said...

That is gorgeous! I love it just the way it is, but I can understand if you wanted to tone it down a bit. Lovely job!

Brooke said...

I love this!! Such a pretty color. I don't think you should repaint it. It looks fantastic

Honey I'm Home Blog said...

I'm always impressed with fearless people. And I think it takes courage to paint a piano. Love the way it turned out & the grouping over the piano is great too!

Warmly, Michelle

Amy @ Kiwi Chic said...

Oh my goodness. It just looks a million times more awesome than before! I'm so impressed that your 'risky' project paid off!! Good on you for having the gutts to do it - it looks amazing!!!! I have always loved that fabric on the seat too. I have just started following your blog - come check out mine if ya get a chance! ! - Amy

Amy Harman said...

Did you use spray paint? Or a paint brush?