I am so excited to share with you our painted piano.
If you are a bare wood enthusiast (Sorry Dad!!) then you should not read the rest of this post. Instead, your time would be more wisely spent taking a leisurely walk in the yellowing forest where all of the wood is still untouched and beautifully natural. This post might make your eyes itchy. ;0
On the other hand, if you are someone who can see beauty in the discarded, can see potential in the forgotten, can see beauty where there is only the banged up and beaten down, if you are an adventure lover, a do-it-yourself executor and if you are partial to the colour of the sea, then this post is for you!
We picked up this beaten up beauty from our local Re Store three and a half years ago. I had big plans for her then, and finally this summer got up the nerve to put on her makeup.
You see, I pictured our children clanking on her worn out keys and I imagined scenes of family members gathered closely around her while voices were bellowing out folk songs, ballads and good old Christmas carols.
(Kind of, EXACTLY like, the final living room scene from “Its a Wonderful Life”)
But the only problem is, I didn’t want to cause any trauma to my sweet babies in the process of teaching them how to make this old girl “sing” again. (Like MY childhood.
See the whole “woe-is-Me-post HERE)
See the whole “woe-is-Me-post HERE)
I matched a little thrift store bench to our piano and gave its padded seat a quick update. (More to come on that)
And then, with the piano and the bench married in holy piano-matrimony, we all got down to business.
//////Step One//////
Wash down the entire piano from sticky kid hand prints and yesterdays breakfast jam.
Dry it immediately.
//////Step Two//////
Tape off all of the edges that you do not want to get paint on. (Wheels, pedals, keys and even the inside components)
//////Step Three//////
Prime your piece. (I didn’t even bother moving this gigantic thing anywhere. I simply tucked a big old bed sheet around the base of it and I got to work painting away. I personally like to mix a primer with a latex paint, because I have found in the past that primer + paint, makes for better coverage on big ticket items. I use equal parts. )
//////Step Four//////
After your primer + paint base has cured (check drying time on your paint selection. I chose to let mine dry for 3+ hours.) you are ready to make your piano pretty.
//////Step Five//////
I chose to make my own homemade chalk paint for this piece and I am in love with how it turned out. I chose to use the plaster of Paris recipe I have been using for years.
Homemade Chalk Paint
(Plaster of Paris version)
Three parts paint
One part plaster of Paris
water for mixing
//////Step Six//////
Lastly, apply your paint!
I applied three thin layers to our piano and our bench.
I find that this homemade chalk paint dries fast so I was able to complete all three coats on a Saturday. A definite doable weekend project! Horray!
//////Step Seven//////
Now, sit back and take in your beautified piano and get ready to make some beautiful music that matches your new beautiful piece!
Though I am a person who loves all different types of woods and could gladly live in a rustic cabin somewhere forever surrounded by natural wood elements, I am so please we took the leap to breathe new life into this old piano.
Depending on the time of day, the blue paint color changes from bright to subdued. (My constant changing creative side, lovvvvvvves that.)
I decorated the top of her with a few special pieces and hung my favorite painting just above her.
Our little thrifted bench, now a pretty blue too, finally looks like it completely belongs with our piano.
All together this little duo brightens up our upstairs family room and now adds the perfect pop of unexpected colour to our most lived in room.
After:
Now, if only we could play this baby while finding people to dump money at our feet, like in Its A Wonderful Life. ;D
Olivia
October 3, 2014 at 5:11 pmso absolutely beautiful! well done!!!!!!
Sarah
January 21, 2015 at 6:12 amDid you have to seal the chalk paint? I used homemade chalk paint and didn't poly the piece only to find that it scratches easily 🙁
bethanygier
February 2, 2015 at 3:47 pmHi Sarah!
To answer your question, I didnt seal it. So far it is holding up and has minimal scratches. Im not sure if I will seal in the future. I feel like the primer and multiple coats of paint helped!
Have a great day!