Filed under: Your Home, Projects, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects
Some people play their piano. Our writer painted hers. And discovered that she's not the only one.We'd had the piano for years. It just sat there. Brown. Old. Untuned. No one in my family played the piano, but no one had the heart to get rid of it either. So we came up with an idea: Why not paint the thing and make it a decorative accessory to the room?
The piano in the writer's childhood home. Photo: Courtesy of Kylie Pepper
We called an artist friend who does murals and hired her for the day to help with our endeavor. Being a professional, she had the right brushes and paints, and knew how to properly prime the drab brown wood. She embraced the project, excited to transform something other than her typical canvases, walls and furniture. An afternoon later, our piano had a polka dot bench, striped legs, and dare I say, crimson tulips blooming from the pedals. Given the room, I decided to keep the palette to pastels, but this didn't mean we had to give up an ounce of whimsy.
Since our piano project was such a success, I wondered how many others had taken the same route. I decided to start doing some research. Who else -- if anyone -- has stripes and polka dots or a rainbow of on their piano? Turns out, plenty of people...
Last July, 60 pianos were placed around New York City as part of "Play Me, I'm Yours," a public art project. These pianos weren't your average instruments, though. They were painted by various artists with designs ranging from primary color geometric prints to tie-dye rainbows.
And in Denver, a shopping area was adorned with about a dozen pianos -- again, painted by local artists -- as part of "Your Keys to the City" (apparently puns and painted pianos go hand in hand).
Since painting pianos have been such a popular tool for nonprofit events, it makes me want to pull my piano into the street. But alas, my family enjoys the extra shot of cheer it brings indoors. If you're feeling inspired, use these painted piano photos as a guide to create your own musical masterpiece. Then take a brush to your keys. Hey, why not?
Get started! For project tips check out these posts:
A little nervous of going free-hand? A stencil is a helpful alternative.
Why not take these decorative wall ideas and apply to your piano?
To avoid the brush, stencil with spray paint.