apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

an orange-red pulled from the china would be fun, especially with that blue chair.

hot pink!

yellow! very bright, very shiny

How about that apple-green from your Japanese-y plates? I love a green piano, I don't know why.

Orange.

My immediate thought was orange. The same color as the cap gun(?) laying on top!

Two votes for hot pink.

Hmmm, it seems like you might be asking for trouble by painting that piano. You'll probably need to take some areas of it apart (the pull down cover for the keys, the wood surrounding the keys) to avoid getting paint into the working parts of the piano. Maybe its just my paranoia.

Just make sure the finish of the paint doesn't wind up being sticky. That could cause problems.

Also, I can't tell what kind of piano that is, but when I was growing up we had a Chickering, which wasn't in great shape, but some had become valuable collectors items, as they don't make true Chickerings any more and were somewhat unconventional.

It's probably just me and my memories from my childhood, but I just can't imagine painting that, no matter how junky the piano. I just couldn't do it. (And I don't think it's blah...its a piano!) That said, if you are going to do it, maybe a glossy glammy (but not sticky-glossy!) Black.

Actually, just out of curiosity, what kind of piano is that?

I agree with the previous commentor that if you're going to paint it, it'd probably look better if you stuck with something close to its original color or with black.

I'd maybe go with the chartruse-like green thats in your plates, it would play well with the chairs, and the rest of your decor.

KW

I agree with Rebecca326! I think as in era's past (70's), we're all going to be sorry we painted everything with a wood finish...

do.not.paint.that.piano.

Have you tried cleaning it thoroughly? Sometimes only even cleaning the object can make a huge difference.
I wouldn't paint it at all, just sand it and give it a light or very dark varnish. And brush up the copper pedals.

I'd say a pale sunny yellow or a bright yellow-green!

Although I'm not against painting precious wood objects, for some reason I am agreeing with those suggesting that you do not paint it.

Alternate suggestion: paint the walls whatever color you were going to paint the piano. I think what you are actually reacting against is the combination of blah wood color along with blah wall color.

If you painted the walls the same blue as those chairs... wow.
Of course, then you'd have to get a different color chair, probably white.

The piano wouldn't look so "blah" if you made more of an effort in the surrounding area, and got a real bench or seat. I can't imagine taking that route here. I've seen some good and bad examples of painted wood furniture, some quite unnecessary, and I just think some wacky color will nullify the coolness of having a piano.

I'd have to agree that painting the whole piano would be more work than you think and a decision that you might regret later. As an alternative to painting the whole thing, maybe paint the grooves on the legs and the face with a of bright color. This would help define some of the details of the piano. My choice would be yellow. It is a tradional color for pianos as many practice or studio pianos are a warm yellow color. Or use the music ledge to display colorful art work.

Don't paint it. I generally don't agree with painting wood objects because at some point someone will want to unpaint it, which causes an environmental mess. Also, as rebecca326 pointed out, painting it may interfere with the function. Besides what she mentioned, painting may reduce clearances (I'm not very knowledgeable about pianos) where they're needed and eventually you may have to deal with peeling paint, which will gum things up.

A while back, Cottage Living magazine featured a couple who painted their piano red and it looked great. Here's a link to the article--the piano is in the second photo down:

http://www.cottageliving.com/cottage/homes/article/0,21135,1650294,00.html

I am sick of seeing ugly dark brown upright pianos in otherwise nice homes. Paint it! And I agree with those who have suggested taking a color from your plates: the orange from the kimono, or the lime-green, etc. I think a bright red would also look great with that chair.

But I also agree with those who say they have no idea how you'd paint it without getting paint, dust from sanding, etc. into the keys and works. I am sure it could be done by a professional piano restorer (for $$$), but if you do it yourself, please let us know what you did and how it worked out.

I agree that painting the grooves a cool color would be a simple, fun way to give it some verve. I could see white, or turquoise to match the chair (if that's what you're going to use with it) or any color that would have contrast. Silver?

Also, you could place a cut-to-size piece of wood on the top that is also painted the same color - all without touching most of the piano's actual wood.

The piano I learned to play on was painted a bad green-grey and my parents have – for over 30 years – been planning on re-painting it. It'll never get done because I would assume it's a big pain. And, it makes the front almost impossible to open and close to access the strings.

I think red and then do the details in a yellow. If it is not worth any money and it is distracting from the overall look you have going on in your home, why shouldn't you paint it? I would, however, not base it soley on the chair because if you bring in a teacher, they'll probably sugguest a bench.

the piano is made of wood for a reason and the last thing i would ever do is to paint a wooden musical instrument. you may not be in love with this piano, but by painting with a giant latex skin you could kill or curtail whatever ability to transmit sound that the shell has. i would seek some advice from a real piano expert before undertaking anything like this.

I thinking the same as rebecca - black would be the only way to go but maybe a black with some sparkle to it.

the wood probably won't resonate as nice with it painted, keep in mind it's an instrument not a dresser and built to sound good. BUT, it might look cool if you distress it a bit, make it look like an old saloon piano and get a cool stool to go with it.

A black lacquer-like finish with gold and red cherry blossoms in random and visible areas (if you're interested in carrying the japanese motif you seem to have going on) I think would be so nice!

Why stick wtih one color? From the plates hanging above I figure you have a fun and colorful family. Why not block out different colors in that palette like piet mondrian?

http://www.artknowledgenews.com/files2007a/PietMondrianKomposition.jpg

MyDesignSecrets.com

If you are serious about learning piano, you will need to invest in a piano bench or an adjustable piano stool. Part of playing properly is being at the right height - the angle of your wrists and posture are very important. I also agree that painting the piano may change its sound.

On the other hand, if aren't serious about learning to play then go ahead and paint.

Why not get an old piano bench and paint that one of the bright bold colours suggested above. The bowl of fruit and lonely candle are not strong enough elements to balance that piano against the wall. You need something larger on top. Like a boldly painted funky lamp.

I would try the painted stool and a cool lamp waaaaay before I attempted to paint that piano.

As a lifelong pianist, I too vote no paint. It's a musical instrument, not an end table. (Would you paint a saxophone???) At least research types of paints (and their effects on sound vibration) if you do.

I think if you just cleaned it up a lot it would look great. It's not blah at all to me.

Oh, and I too vote for a colorful piano bench or funky stool to jazz it up. You will NOT be able to play comfortably and move around the way you need to in the shell chair.

Nattles is right. Elvis had a beautiful Steinway that Priscilla gilded for him and it never sounded the same.

But, if it's just a box, and you like having latex all over the place, go for it. Oil stain would be better, soundwise.

1) research the name (very, smart)
2) get in a bench, with some fun color.
3) do the details w/a fun punchy color (i like hot pink/orange/lime)
4) If that doesn't work paint the bad boy in a fun glossy of the above, but i think the downers are right, its going to be a HUGE pain to paint correctly (and i love that type of work) AND the issue of sound transmittance is a genuine one.

A compromise might be stenciling, and would vibe w/the slighly distressed look.

I think you should wallpaper it!

I wouldn't paint the piano...but I would paint the wall behind it to help bring out the warmth in the wood so it doesn't seem like such a stark contrast.

Would it effect the sound?

Many pianos are painted. Like black ones and white ones. I say, if it's in decent shape and good working order, take it to a piano refinisher and have them paint it. A classic-piano-lacquer finish in a cool colour would be great. If it's a sticky, latexy end-table finish, it will look weird and likely sound strange too.

research how to paint it of course, and then glossy bright orange!
or intense midnight blue

The point Brian is trying to make is that he is GOING TO PAINT HIS PIANO. He didn't ask if he should paint it. He just asked for color suggestions.

My parents moved into a house that came with a painted upright grand piano. They personally didn't like its 80s color, so they stripped the paint off and refinished it. If Brian doesn't like his choice later on, he can always strip off the paint and lacquer the original wood.

I like the bright green paint idea myself.

Bright, enameled, shiny yellow!

DO NOT PAINT THAt PIANO!

Paint the walls; add upholstery to a proper piano bench; whatever- don't destroy craftsmanship with an afterthought DIY paintjob just because it doesn't match your current off-white wall paint.

1309 Moroccan Red. try it at www.DrySamples.com