DIY Before & Afters DIY Furniture Projects Music Room Music Room DIY Projects

Refinished and Painted Upright Piano (The Post Where I Eat My Words)

Well, it’s a good thing I’m writing this post before I eat breakfast, because I’ll be eating my words…sooooo many words that I’ll probably be quite full by the time I’m finished with this post.   The good news is that I finished my piano.  But it doesn’t look anything like what I had planned.  And to be quite honest, I’m much happier with the way it turned out.

To refresh your memory, here’s what I started out with…

Thos Goggan & Bros upright piano - before

This piano is about 100 years old, and while it’s a fantastic piano with an interesting history, the finish was horrible.  It was so thick that you couldn’t see any wood grain through it, and it was so old and rough that when I ran my fingernails over it, it kind of felt (and sounded) like parts of it were made of plastic.

So after a week of working on it, let me show you how my refinished and painted upright piano now looks…

100 year old upright piano with refinished walnut veneer and gray painted frame - after 2

So which words shall I eat first?  There are so many to choose from.  🙂

“This piano will either be yellow or green.  I just can’t make up my mind.  So majority rules on this one.”

“I don’t like gray.  I don’t decorate with gray.”

“If I paint this piano, I’ll paint the whole thing.”

Ha!  I really did have the best intentions.  In fact, as soon as it became abundantly clear that yellow was the winner, I headed to Home Depot to have my custom color mixed. (I chose the lightest yellow.)

Thos Goggan & Bros upright piano - 2

That quart of yellow paint is still sitting on my dining table, and obviously the piano isn’t yellow.  So how did the gray thing happen?

100 year old upright piano with refinished walnut veneer and gray painted frame

Well, I couldn’t get the walnut veneer out of my head — all of that gorgeous real walnut veneer that would be hidden under one layer of oil-based primer and two coats of yellow paint. It just seemed so ridiculous.  Because I like to keep things low cost, I’m generally working with cheap wood like pine.  And what do I do with that cheap wood?  I cover it with dark walnut stain, of course!  I try to make the cheap wood not look so cheap by staining it to look like walnut.

And here I had real actual walnut (just veneer, but real walnut nonetheless), and I was going to coat it with paint?  It just seemed so ridiculous.

I kept reading comments from some of you about how I should paint the piano, but stain the top.  I just couldn’t picture it, and it seemed a little too similar to my buffet with the painted body and stained top.  Others of you said to strip and stain the part with the carved design, and then paint the rest.  Again, I just couldn’t picture that one, lone piece being natural wood while the rest was painted.

And then someone (thanks, Lori!!) gave me this link, and I just couldn’t stop looking at some of those gorgeous pianos.  I had three that I really liked, but this one was my absolute favorite.

gray and stained piano from Piano Revival Project

Yep, the gray one.  They have one that’s white paint combined with natural wood, but it doesn’t look nearly as good (to me) as this gray one.

So I decided which sections I wanted natural wood and which ones I wanted painted.  Then I disassembled my piano (which was way easier than I had anticipated) and set about stripping all of the old finish off the pieces I wanted to be natural wood.  It was definitely not easy, but it also wasn’t too terribly difficult like I had imagined it would be.

The most challenging part of the process was mixing a stain color to match the walnut.  All of the large, flat areas were covered in walnut veneer, but the edges of the wood weren’t covered in veneer.  Ugh.  You can see the difference here…

upright piano with refinished walnut veneer and custom mixed stain for non walnut parts

All of those large flat areas are walnut veneer with nothing but Waterlox.  Those areas literally have no stain on them at all.  They turned that gorgeous dark color just from one coat of  Waterlox (a varnish-type of clear coat made from tung oil and resins).  But see how the edge is yellow?  That has Waterlox on it also, but the Waterlox did absolutely nothing for it except turn it an even brighter yellow and bring out some hideous green undertones.

So I had to mix my own custom stain color to match.  I ended up using a combination of Rust-Oleum Carrington and Traditional Cherry, but I have no idea about the ratio.  It wasn’t perfect, but it blended pretty nicely.

upright piano with refinished walnut veneer and custom mixed stain for non walnut parts 2

I disassembled as much of the piano as possible.  It actually wasn’t that difficult at all.  Everything came apart with just a flat head screwdriver.

how to refinish or paint a piano - take the piano apart and remove the keys to make refinishing or painting easier - 2

But interestingly, even as I was many hours into the whole stripping and refinishing process, I was still thinking that the painted parts were going to be yellow.  But the more I stripped and refinished, the more I thought that I just couldn’t do it.  Yellow with that gorgeous walnut?  It just didn’t seem right.  I didn’t think that yellow would complement the walnut at all.  And I just couldn’t get the image of that gray and stained piano out of my head.

Ugh…gray.  But the more I tried to think of another color that would work, the more convinced I became that gray was the only color that made sense.

So I gathered some paints I had on hand and mixed my own paint color.  I started with white (Polar Bear) and added equal amounts of black (Ultra Pure Black) and brown (Burley Wood).  I ended up with a color that was very gray.  The kind of gray that has blue undertones.  Cold.  Sterile.  Institutional.  All of the things I hate about gray.

But I didn’t give up.  I just added quite a bit more brown, and then since the brown I had on hand had slight green undertones, I added just a touch of red to cut the cool look and warm it up a bit.  That worked perfectly.  You can see the difference here.  The original gray is on the left, and the one I ended up using is on the right. (Pay no attention to the one on the far right.  That wasn’t for the piano.)

paint colors for piano

So gray it was.  Or I guess we could actually call it taupe since it has so much brown in it, right?  But who am I kidding?  That piano looks gray.  And oddly enough, I love it.

Once all of the painting was done, and all of the natural wood pieces were sealed, and all of the non-walnut pieces and edges were stained, I was anxious to reassemble everything.  The bottom panel just snaps right in.  No tools necessary for that.  Then I reattached the keyslip (the long wood piece that sits in front of the keys).  Both of those pieces had the walnut veneer on the face, but the keyslip had to be stained on the top edge.  I think it blends nicely, though.

refinishing an upright piano - take off all extra pieces to paint the body, and then reassemble

Then I reattached the keyblocks, which are the blocks of wood that sit on either side of the keys.  Neither of those were covered in walnut veneer, so I had to use my custom mix stain on those.

how to refinish and paint and old upright piano - reassembling after refinishing

And then I was ready to put the keys back on.  It was so fascinating to see how upright pianos are put together and how they work.  I’ve played the piano since I was very young, but I had never seen the inner workings like this.  They keys come off and go back on very easily, as long as you keep them in order.

refinishing an old upright piano - putting the keys back together after refinishing and painting

As I removed mine, I numbered each one and put them in a box for safe keeping.  When I was ready to reassemble, I lined them up on the floor by the piano in numerical order, which made reassembly very quick and easy.

refinishing an upright piano - take piano apart and remove the keys to make refinishing or painting easier

And one more piece had to have the custom stain treatment — the low, long piece that sits right behind the keys and keyblocks, and to which the key cover hinges are attached.  Once everything was put back together, I was so relieved to see how well that piece, the keyblocks, and the stained edges of the keyslip and key cover pieces all blended with the real walnut.

old upright piano refinished with Waterlox on walnut veneer and paint on the frame

Before I started stripping these pieces, I made sure that I covered up the original manufacturer’s decal with painters tape so that it could be preserved.

Thos Goggan & Bros upright piano - 4

To “frame” the section with the decal and give it a finished look, I used painters tape to tape off a narrow stripe on each side, and painted it with liquid gold gilding that I bought at Michael’s.  I was so surprised and ecstatic about how perfectly the gold gilding matched the original gold decal.

refinished upright paino with original manufacturers stamp intact and framed with liquid gold gilding

And the final finishing touch was the pedals.  These old, worn, rusted pedals really detracted from the newly refinished and painted piano, so I decided that they needed a little refinishing as well.

rusted pedals on old upright paino updated with Rub 'N Buff in antique gold - before

I used Rub ‘N Buff in antique gold to give them a new look.  It actually didn’t make them look perfect and new, which I liked.  This is, after all, a 100-year-old piano.  But it did at least give them a consistent color and finish, and hide the awful rusted finish.

rusted pedals on old upright paino updated with Rub 'N Buff in antique gold - during

It was the perfect finishing touch, and Rub ‘N Buff is so quick and easy to use.  Each pedal took me about two minutes, if even that long, and I just rubbed it on with my finger and buffed it with a paper towel.

rusted pedals on old upright paino updated with Rub 'N Buff in antique gold - after

I actually used Rub ‘N Buff on all of the hinges and other small metal parts as well.  All of those little finishing details add so much to the overall look.

old upright piano refinished with Waterlox on walnut veneer and gray painted frame - 2

And that’s the story of how my yellow piano ended up being natural walnut with gray.

old upright piano refinished with Waterlox on walnut veneer and gray painted frame - 3

And really, I like it so much better than I would have a yellow piano.  I think this is much more appropriate for my house.

old upright piano refinished with Waterlox on walnut veneer and gray painted frame 3

The natural walnut gives it an elegant look that complements my kitchen very nicely, while the painted areas keep the piano from looking too formal.  It’s the perfect combination.

old upright piano refinished with Waterlox on walnut veneer and gray painted frame

So I’m pretty confident that I made the right decision about the piano.

upright piano refinished and painted - before and after

Now I just have to figure out what the heck I’m going to use that quart of yellow paint on.  It’s too pretty to let it go to waste!

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118 Comments

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  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sheila F
    August 17, 2015 at 8:16 am

    Just BEAUTIFUL! I think you must get your inspiration in an instant. I love that you can turn on a dime and complete a project change without going bonkers. I really thought you must have put a bit of green in your paint! I love the green undertone. It works with the cabinets. The wood is just gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing the music room unfold!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Carmen
    August 17, 2015 at 8:23 am

    This came out absolutely stunning! I must admit I was not a fan of either the yellow or green paint ideas. I wasn’t a fan of painting it at all, but this is perfect. Beautiful job.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Jaclyn
      August 17, 2015 at 2:52 pm

      Ditto..you did a beautiful job and I feel like you honored the piano 🙂 Great imagination and Job!

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Angie
        August 17, 2015 at 4:43 pm

        I totally agree with your post. I think having two different colors on furniture so close together would have taken away from the look of your dining room. This looks elegant!! Keep up the good work Kristi….you rock!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Paivi
    August 17, 2015 at 8:41 am

    How difficult was it too strip the upper portion of the piano with all of that detail? I would imagine getting all of that black goop out of those detailed scrolls would be nearly impossible? Do you have any tricks to share on this step? What chemical stripper did you use?

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      carswell
      August 17, 2015 at 11:40 am

      I don’t know about Kristi – but when I’ve tackled stuff like that I use a very fine steel wool soaked in stripper.

      It has the advantage of giving the pieces a light sanding as well as being flexible enough to work into all the crevices.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        carswell
        August 17, 2015 at 11:44 am

        And just let me add – I think the decision to go with the two tone finish was inspired. It seems respectful of the piece itself and less jarring to the eye than going green or yellow.

        I am a fan of painted furniture but it just seemed to me that with the other brightly coloured pieces of furniture that will be visible in the same overall area (not to mention your kitchen) that the more restrained look you’ve chosen will fit in better overall.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      August 17, 2015 at 1:05 pm

      That was definitely the hardest and most time-consuming part of stripping the pieces,but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I always use Klean Strip Premium Stripper. I’ve tried a couple of others, including Citristrip, which I hate. The Klean Strip works so fast. To get around all of the carved detailed areas, I let the stripper sit on it a few minutes, and then scrubbed it thoroughly with a really rough sponge (intended for scrubbing the film off of tile after installation). If I had some steel wool on hand, that’s what I would have used. But this really rough sponge worked very well. Once it was all scrubbed, I cleaned it up with a rag soaked in the Klean Strip After Wash, which I highly recommend. It works so much better than mineral spirits, or paint thinner, or turpentine, or acetone, or any of those other solvents. I don’t know what’s in the After Wash, but it works amazingly well. Once it was clean, I went back and did some very fine sanding in the detailed area. I just did this by hand using a folded up piece of 150-grit sandpaper to get into all of the crevices.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Naomi W.
        August 17, 2015 at 3:37 pm

        Kristi, have you ever used a toothbrush to strip detail work like that? I ask because I have a small box I need to clean up, and that’s what I was thinking of using.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Barbara
    August 17, 2015 at 8:43 am

    So,very glad that you chose the paint and natural look….I think it looks stunning…I sure wasn’t a fan of your other ideas…you chose wisely..the wood look is always so wonderful and natural looking…keep up your great work…enjoy your blogs…Barbara

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Angie
      August 17, 2015 at 9:49 am

      I, too, am so HAPPY you didn’t go with the yellow. You have made some very sophisticated choices in design choices for your home and I personally didn’t think the yellow would fit in. But the gray does! Good job!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Dee Miles
    August 17, 2015 at 8:44 am

    Standing and applauding!!! Beautiful! You made the perfect choice.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    char
    August 17, 2015 at 8:44 am

    I love it! So much better than the yellow or green. And much more suited to the style of your house. Classy and understate it’s an attention grabber but in a good way. You really did a fabulous job.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    carol
    August 17, 2015 at 8:45 am

    You did a stunning job(as usual).
    How do you think the beautiful bird wall will look behind it?

    Could you use yellow on the piano bench, somehow?

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      August 17, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      I think the bird wall will still look beautiful behind it. After all, it’s trees and birds, and what could go better with trees and birds than natural wood? 🙂

      I haven’t found a piano bench yet, so I’m not sure about the color, but I’ll definitely be using that yellow in the room somewhere.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Tammy
    August 17, 2015 at 8:50 am

    LOVE IT! I open up the email from your blog as soon as possible ! So fun keeping up with you!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kim
    August 17, 2015 at 8:51 am

    LOVE IT! So glad you ate your words. 😉

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Monica
    August 17, 2015 at 8:52 am

    What a great post about the natural decision-making process we go through when decorating. I love the final product, stunning and classic, yet refreshed and unique. Bravo!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Deb
    August 17, 2015 at 8:57 am

    That came out great. It will be a focal point without screaming at you (can you tell I’m not a fan of yellow). You did a beautiful job and I’m so pleased to see the gorgeous walnut shining through. Of course, my fireplace mantle is that color….

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Laurie
    August 17, 2015 at 9:00 am

    I think it looks stunning! Personally, I am not a fan of yellow and as for greens, I’m more into the sage and hunter spectrum end of greens instead of the brighter shades. So I’m glad you went this route instead. Great job.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Genelle McDaniel
    August 17, 2015 at 9:00 am

    Absolutely beautiful. So extremely proud that you kept some of that original walnut unpainted, respecting the age of the piece. You couldn’t have done better.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Pam
    August 17, 2015 at 9:01 am

    Simply stunning!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Phyllis
    August 17, 2015 at 9:04 am

    It is just beautiful!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sarah
    August 17, 2015 at 9:10 am

    It looks amazing! I would have never thought to paint some parts and leave others wood, but it’s stunning! I love a colorful piano, but I was a little concerned that it might be too much with your other painted pieces, maybe not, but I was having a hard time envisioning it. This is beautiful, unique, and I think still shows off the piano’s historical value since a lot of the wood is still showing. I think you created something really outstanding!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Gilmer Gal
    August 17, 2015 at 9:11 am

    You nailed it! I really like the grays (just painted my bedroom light grey and I LOVE it!). Looks perfect on your piano

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Harriett
    August 17, 2015 at 9:12 am

    You continue to amaze me! Superior workmanship! And the piano definitely is now at its best! Kudos to you! Another wonderful job.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Debra S
    August 17, 2015 at 9:18 am

    Wow. Soooo beautiful.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Becca
    August 17, 2015 at 9:22 am

    YES!! This was exactly the right choice! Perfect, Kristi! I kept looking at the bright, painted pianos and it just sorta cheapened the look. I am sooo happy you found the perfect balance here with this piano. It’s classy, warm and elegant. I love the walnut wood tones!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Cassie
    August 17, 2015 at 9:27 am

    LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lisa Johnson
    August 17, 2015 at 9:28 am

    Lovely ! I especially like the way you framed in the maker’s insignia. I have used the rub and buff wax on lots of things, too- love that stuff!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Indra
    August 17, 2015 at 9:32 am

    Thank you, thank you! I’m the violinist who was cringing about your decision to go with paint — and yellow or green, to boot. I’ll eat a few words myself: what you ended up deciding upon is gorgeous — so elegant and respectful of the piano’s amazing wood and its history. Bravo! It’s beautiful!!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jenw
    August 17, 2015 at 9:34 am

    Looks good! Do you still foresee yourself stripping the whole thing in the future? I’m impressed with your stain blending! They look perfect…you wouldn’t be able to tell its two different finishes.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      August 17, 2015 at 1:15 pm

      Actually I don’t simply because so many of the parts that I painted don’t have walnut veneer anyway, so if I go to the trouble of stripping them, then I’d have to go to the trouble of custom mixing a stain again. I didn’t mind staining a few non-walnut parts, but I’m afraid that if I get too many non-walnut parts covered in stain, then it’s going to start becoming very obvious that the pieces don’t exactly match. So I’m actually perfectly happy with keeping it like this — part natural wood and part painted — for as long as I have the piano. Now I can’t promise that it’ll stay gray, though. 🙂 But it’ll at least stay gray for the foreseeable future.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Janet McKay
    August 17, 2015 at 9:35 am

    It’s beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! (And although my vote was for yellow, my real vote was for the walnut.)

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Paula Buzhardt
    August 17, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Just gorgeous! You certainly made the right decision. The gray perfectly complements the stain and vice versa. I so was hoping you would refinish and not paint, but this is so perfect. Now start back playing and enjoy!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sandra
    August 17, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Great job!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Hope Williams
    August 17, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Stunning!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Laurie taylor
    August 17, 2015 at 9:43 am

    Spectacular…. Such a great way to save that beautiful, Victorian-Edwardian decorative work.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Alicia
    August 17, 2015 at 9:44 am

    Stunning!!! I was not a fan of yellow or green- this is amazing!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Margo
    August 17, 2015 at 9:46 am

    I love that you did the combination of staining and paint. It turned out beautiful. Although, I was so excited to see the yellow. Looking forward to seeing the finished room. Have a Blessed Day.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Pearl
    August 17, 2015 at 9:47 am

    Beautiful. I believe this design will last a lifetime.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Merralyn
    August 17, 2015 at 9:52 am

    Absolutely gorgeous! So respectful of the piano’s history!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sheri Hepworth
    August 17, 2015 at 9:54 am

    This is a beautiful piano! You did a wonderful job on it. Way to go!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Julie B.
    August 17, 2015 at 9:58 am

    After seeing the link to the pianos in the comments, I was crossing my fingers you’d come up with something similar. This is fantastic, the best of both worlds.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Alice
    August 17, 2015 at 10:06 am

    Gorgeous! I LOVE this! I think it is just perfect.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jacqui
    August 17, 2015 at 10:08 am

    Gorgeous!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    marlyn
    August 17, 2015 at 10:09 am

    It looks beautiful. I thought you were nuts for painting a piano but it looks great!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sheila
    August 17, 2015 at 10:18 am

    Yep, you definitely made the right decision. I love how it turned out…GORGEOUS!!! And though you don’t like using gray, I think it’s a neutral that can be very sophisticated or casual. It’s very versatile.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Marie roxanne
    August 17, 2015 at 10:30 am

    Okay, I am not a fan of wood and paint in the same piece, but this looks good!
    Thanks to Lori for giving you the link to other painted piano ideas!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Karen
    August 17, 2015 at 10:33 am

    Funny, I love gray but it would never have crossed my mind as the right choice for your piano! I love the result and think it’ll fit right in with all the other ideas in your music and adjacent rooms – it still is an eyecatcher, but not because of a bold colour! I guess you won’t go changing this look again, then? Because with the bold colour you considered that as a temporary solution?

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      August 17, 2015 at 1:18 pm

      This look is probably permanent. They yellow would have been temporary until I could save up to have the piano refinished. But now that I’ve done it myself, and in that process come to realize that so many of the parts of this piano actually aren’t covered in walnut veneer, I’m perfectly happy keeping it like it is. There’s just enough wood showing for my taste.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Marcia
    August 17, 2015 at 10:35 am

    I love it – to see the natural w

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    C.C.
    August 17, 2015 at 10:35 am

    MAGNIFICENT!!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Denise
    August 17, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Very nice! Thanks for the inspiration to do something with my very 70’s piano! Have you played it?

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      August 17, 2015 at 1:20 pm

      Only very little because I can’t find any of my sheet music, and I don’t play by ear. I haven’t played in so long that I’ve forgotten every bit of music that I had memorized. But my mom gave me an old hymnal a few days ago, so I might bring that out and try my hand at some of those.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Alexsandra Thompson
    August 17, 2015 at 11:03 am

    BRAVO!!!!!

    It looks fabulous! Totally unexpected, but I’ve learned to expect the unexpected with you!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Linda
    August 17, 2015 at 11:08 am

    This is “FANTABULOUS”. I personally didn’t care for the yellow or green, but knew whatever you ended up with would be perfect! I LOVE keeping the walnut on some of it! Simply beautiful!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Karen
    August 17, 2015 at 11:23 am

    I really like how it turned out

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lisa E
    August 17, 2015 at 11:29 am

    I, too, wasn’t a fan of the yellow or green and voted for white or black, although totally preferring walnut, ha! When I saw that link Lori posted, I thought those would be a perfect compromise and so beautiful. I am with you about the gray, a Greige or Taupe is fine, and I painted my hallway bath just that, but not regular gray. I’ve been a civil servant employee for a long time and back in the day when I worked for the military, there was a lot of gray around. I automatically think of “Battleship Gray” and that’s probably my aversion to it. Perfect choice and beautifully executed Kristi.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Michelle
    August 17, 2015 at 11:36 am

    I echo all the praise above on this gorgeous piano. I want to tell you how much inspiration you’ve given me. I am painting and antiqueing (sp?) a dining table and have been trying to use the free products in our retirement village woodshop. After having to use dark oak stain on the white enamel to “age” the wood, I didn’t like how it came out (maybe I used too much). So I drew on your past advice, and am going to paint over it and start again. Always before, I would have called
    this a failure. But thanks to you, I call it “just part of the process”. You do such beautiful work, but your best advice for us do-it-yourselfers is showing us your entire process – from picturing what you THINK you want to the final product. A great big ol’ Texas THANK YOU!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      August 17, 2015 at 1:23 pm

      Good for you for not giving up!! When it comes to DIY, I just look at everything as an opportunity to learn. If it turns out great, then wonderful! If it turns out terrible, then I’ve learned what not to do the next time, and why that method didn’t work out. 🙂 And learning those lessons, as frustrating as they may be, is what helps us grow in our skills and abilities.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Judy
    August 17, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Never expected this, but it is stunning! Kudos to your enormous creative talent!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Alta
    August 17, 2015 at 11:45 am

    I did love the yellow on the other pianos, but for this one, I do think the gray and walnut combination is better. It is more elegant and “updated traditional”, while the yellow was more upbeat and modern. Perhaps you could use the yellow on some sitting chairs for that room, echoing yellow in the wallpaper?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Cindy
    August 17, 2015 at 11:45 am

    As soon as I saw Lori’s link in the original discussion, I had a feeling this project would go in a different direction. I’m glad! Thanks for including all your thought processes. That’s real DIY, yo.

    And, you nailed it! Beautiful stain matching, beautiful gray color, beautiful result. Bravo!

    (Also, those foot pedals look like fingers to me, and now I can’t see anything else!!)

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Paige
      August 17, 2015 at 1:13 pm

      That is what I thought too when I saw them- fingers with nails! Glad someone else saw it too. They sure look better after their manicure!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    kg
    August 17, 2015 at 11:54 am

    wow! inspired & gorgeous!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Mad Margaret
    August 17, 2015 at 11:59 am

    It is beautiful. It’s restrained, the two tones are lovely together. But, my taste in colors isn’t restrained. I agree with everyone else who voted no on the yellow. For your home, what you did is wonderful. But as a stand-alone, I loved the darker green. You and Thrift Diving are my instructors and inspirations.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    barb
    August 17, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    So beautiful and classy looking. I agree with you, it seems to fit your home so much better. I couldn’t get my brains wrapped around a yellow piano in your home – but I’m not an expert so I keep my humble opinions to myself! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    MarySue
    August 17, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    This is fantastic! I love it! How does it play?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Mrs Mike
    August 17, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Love it!!! But I always love your finished projects, lol, so while it was unexpected, I’m not really surprised. 🙂

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    Phyllis E
    August 17, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    It is so gorgeous! I am so glad that you preserved some of that gorgeous walnut. It looks so amazing–hard to believe that it doesn’t even have stain on it. Now I understand why it is such an expensive, sought-after wood for high-end furniture, etc. The painted areas act almost like a picture frame, highlighting the beauty of the walnut areas even more than if the whole thing was walnut, I imagine. Now it looks like a valuable musical instrument. Painting it yellow would have made it look cute, but more like it was probably a junk piano and not valuable musically speaking, imho.
    I can’t believe how quickly you get all these projects done– what is your secret? Does Matt do the cooking and laundry, LOL? Making dinner always seems to get in the way of my home improvement projects–thank goodness for frozen foods, I say!!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi Linauer
      August 17, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      I do the cooking and the laundry also. 🙂 My secret is that I turned my blog into a full-time job, so I have all the time in the world to work on my projects. 😉

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sue
    August 17, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Gee, that looks pretty! I love that the paint highlights the decorative aspects of the piano. Beautiful work

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    Denise
    August 17, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    Beautiful! Maybe you can use the yellow paint on the birds when you paint the wall.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Linda
    August 17, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    I couldn’t comment on the yellow and green thing because it was just soooo sad to do that to a piano. But this I could live with! Makes the warm wood look even better. It’s a lovely choice with a beautiful result.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Heather
    August 17, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Gaye
    August 17, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Stunning~! I just could not get into that yellow piano although I had to admit that of the two colors yellow was far by the better of the two and yellow is my least of all favorite colors by far …but this choice is stunning with a capital S! you nailed it and this is superb.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Len Williams Carver
    August 17, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Standing “O” Bravo ! Bravo !Genius!!!! I have admired you and your abilities before but this, this well it is just brilliant, I just don’t have words I am stunned at the way your mind and talent works you are truly amazing!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Tammy
    August 17, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    BRAVO!! I have always lurked in the background continually amazed at your DIY talent. THIS project is my fav, it’s just stunning!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jenny
    August 17, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    I am going to be honest, first glance I didn’t like the way it looked. Design is personal so, I know that there are trends that I am simply not going to dig. But, let me eat my words. …by the end of the post I changed my opinion. I actually like the way it looks.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Paige
    August 17, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    The piano looks beautiful and sophisticated! I still love the idea of a yellow piano-maybe I will do mine!! I would love to see yellow in that room in smaller proportions, maybe a side table, frames, or how about an old fashioned coat/umbrella stand for guests to use? I am so excited to see these rooms come together.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Laura
    August 17, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    You are fierce! I love your confidence in totally going for it–whatever it is. And flexible to change your mind on a dime! I was a fan of paint/stain combination and love how you executed it. I was nervous when you said you took the piano apart, but I saw the after picture, so I knew it would all come back together again!! :). Your talents amaze me!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    brette
    August 17, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    You made a smart choice. The piano looks better, yet what made it special in the first place (the carving) was kept original. As a piano player, I hate to see pianos painted bright colors.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    moonshadow
    August 17, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    The crowning jewel of the room!!!Me thinks you are a whisper, you “heard” the piece speak to you and you brought its dreams to life. Totally cant see this piano ever looking any other way now!!! So dressed up with a little fun and funky mixed in!!! Great job!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Guerrina
    August 17, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    Looks beautiful, Kristi! Great job!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lesley Ann
    August 17, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    Love it!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Alexis
    August 17, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    Absolutely beautiful, and I have to echo everyone else here in saying that this looks so much nicer than a brightly coloured look would have done!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jean
    August 17, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    GORGEOUS!!! I had hoped you would decide to just refinish the piano, staining the whole thing, but I think this is actually prettier. Amazing talent and courage!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kathy
    August 17, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    Great choice! Very subtle and yet makes a statement at the same time. I love it!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sharon
    August 17, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    you did an amazing job, as always.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Vanessa
    August 17, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    Absolutely beautiful. Love how it turned out and love that you trust your instincts so well. Well done.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Nancy
    August 17, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    Absolutely love it! Great job.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Maggie Obst
    August 17, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Susie
    August 17, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Wow, what a nice surprise. I was on board with the painting idea, but I love the way the paint and stain combination brings out the best in this piece. The paint highlights the nice classical elements in the legs, pilasters, and bead molding. And it also serves as a neutral frame for the gorgeous wood. I think this will look fantastic with the bird mural. It’s a very sophisticated look.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Pam
    August 17, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    Absolutely beautiful! I love the combination. You are so amazing!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Rosie
    August 17, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    You are the smartest cookie!! I am pleased with your work.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sharon C
    August 17, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    Absolutely stunning and gorgeous!!! This was a really great surprise and color choice, and it works beautifully. The piano looks amazing and I think this color is the perfect blend for your kitchen, entryway and dining room. You must be so proud of your achievement…..well done Kristi.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Natalia
    August 17, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    I love all the walnut veneer. So glad it’s not yellow or green. I’m eager to see what you do with the yellow paint.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Darnell Baker
    August 17, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    Smashing! Gorgeous! Love you saved the walnut look! Can’t wait to see the music and dining room come together. Bravo!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lisa
    August 17, 2015 at 11:59 pm

    Wow! Best choice! I was one of the yellow votes! I love it!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sharon
    August 18, 2015 at 1:37 am

    Kristi, you eat your words with such grace. I think the piano looks STUNNING! It never would have occurred to me to do something like that. The result is amazing. More inspiration for me.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Carolyn
    August 18, 2015 at 4:45 am

    Genius!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Rhonda
    August 18, 2015 at 8:00 am

    I’m blown away, it’s so beautiful I can’t stop looking at the pictures! Way to go, you should have a tv show!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jo anne
    August 18, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Looks beautiful…as usual. I’m trying to paint…or something, my cheapy dining table and chairs. No luck…it has giant brush strokes and looks…dumb and even more cheap. Suggestions?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Lynda
    August 18, 2015 at 10:58 am

    OMG! I love it! It looks soo goood! I am so glad you didn’t paint it yellow. LOL! but that is just me. It is such a beautiful piano and you’re right the walnut is gorgoeous. Great job!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jaybird
    August 18, 2015 at 11:43 am

    This is SO much better than the other ideas! I know it wasn’t my decision, but my heart hurt for the lovely walnut in the piano :^)
    Good going Kristi!
    J

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    JoanneS
    August 18, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Your piano looks spectacular! Love the colors you chose!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    designdreamer
    August 18, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    WOW! Looks fabulous!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Mary Anne Looby
    August 19, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    Hi Kristi, I would have commented much earlier but I am having internet problems. My computers are all wacko as is our cable tv. Please do not be insulted by this remark, but when I saw the piano my first reactions was our little girl is growing up! I absolutely love it. I see in this piece the same taste level that was present in the kitchen. I was afraid your house would end up looking like a childs playhouse with bright colors everywhere that did not connect to much of anything. I cannot wait to see what you have planned for this room. I know what I would do. The piano, your guitar on a stand in the corner and a comfy chair to lounge in with maybe an ottoman, and a floor lamp so you can read. It could be your “girl cave”. Blessings

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Linda J
    August 20, 2015 at 9:51 am

    I am speechless! I agree with every one. Len hit it on the head. This work is beyond what one would expect. It appears to have been done by a restoration craftsman/woman of old. Such attention to authentication and detail. Astonishing OK, I’ll stop gushing!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Ann
    August 24, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    I absolutely love it! It’s different and unique with just enough of the original shining through to honor the vintage soul of the piece.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    esther
    August 25, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    So much better than the yellow or any other bright colors! The demure color gives the sophistication that music has to offer. Also, this gray is respectful of the antiquity of this instrument. To have painted this instrument a bright color would have lowered the grandeur… in my opinion. The lighter tone really makes it easier to see the detailing and the beauty of the instrument. Beautiful! I really enjoy your posts~

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    vicky
    November 8, 2015 at 12:12 am

    It’s beautiful i like it much better than either the green or the yellow those pianos are props this one looks like an instrument to be played i also like that you honored the past good job

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Miracle Sealants
    February 8, 2016 at 12:53 am

    Your work is pretty amazing! You made a marvelous job in making the old piano turned into something different and wonderful.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Barb
    October 16, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    I just received a second hand piano that needs some cosmetic work. I’ve painted numerous pieces of furniture. I’m not worried about painting/staining the piano but disassembling the piano terrifies me to my core. Removing the keys sounds scary. I’m afraid I’ll mess up something of utter importance to the mechanics of the piano.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Dale
    November 29, 2016 at 9:58 am

    Thank you for sending this to me Kristi, I love it!!