Everyone Is Shocked By My Epic (and Free!) Secondhand Find
Two years ago, I was settling into my new Brooklyn apartment. I didn’t have the biggest budget to work with for decorating, but over the years I’ve managed to create a cozy little space for myself (and my cat, Phoebe). Furnished with a mixture of modern and vintage pieces, several hand-me-downs from my parents, and some thrifted finds, it’s far from perfect — but it definitely feels like me. Filling the space with precious trinkets and pops of personality has been one of my greatest joys.
But out of all the fun pieces in my apartment, there’s one item that everyone comments on — and the story of how it came to be mine is even more delightful than the piece itself. Because so many people have asked, I figured it’s time to immortalize the tale of my piano. Not only am I lucky enough to have a piano in my NYC apartment, but it was also actually free!
On Move-in Day, I Manifested the Piano in My Basement
Picture this: It’s move-in day. I had left my tiny walk-up studio in the East Village for a one-bedroom apartment on a serene, tree-lined Brooklyn street. My head was swirling with ideas about how to decorate, what I needed, and where to start. But only one item remained a constant fixture on my wish list: a piano. I had just unloaded the last moving box from the car and was headed to the basement elevator, when I took a wrong turn and stumbled upon this gigantic mystery item covered with an old sheet. Before I even lifted the sheet, I somehow knew it was my piano.
I’ve played piano for over 20 years now; I learned as a child and still love playing as a hobby. With so much space to spare in this new apartment, I thought one day I might finally upgrade my electric keyboard to a real upright piano. Pianos are pricey, though — to buy, to move, and to maintain — so in my mind, this was more of a five-year plan than an immediate goal. Earlier that very day on the drive over, I had actually said to my mom, “If I’m still in this apartment five years from now, I’m getting myself a piano.” And, lo and behold, there it was on the very day I moved in? It really felt like I’d manifested it!
No Longer Buried in the Basement, the Piano Brings the Whole Building Joy
I texted my super, and he told me a family had moved out just the week before and left the old piano behind. (Pianos are notoriously expensive to move, so I don’t blame them.) Apparently, they hadn’t played it in many years. I asked him if he’d sell it to me, and he told me to keep the cash — he just wanted to be rid of it. So he gathered up a couple of guys and some very strong moving dollies, and the very next day I had my piano. So much for the five-year plan! (And yes I gave him a tip for the trouble, but otherwise it was basically free!)
The piano has some damage, and it’s often a bit out of tune. But it’s impossible to measure how much joy it’s brought me. I was worried it would bother the neighbors, but it’s actually helped me connect with them. The kids of the building know me as “the piano lady,” and my super always comments when I start a new song. (I’m by no means a professional musician, but I’m not bad either). I play almost every day, and it’s a huge source of creativity and relaxation for me.
Your “Holy Grail” Thrift Might Just Find You
I wish I could give you some insider tip about how to find your own free piano. But I got lucky. All I’ll say is: Never give up on that “holy grail” home find. No matter how out of reach it feels, you might just manifest it. Whether it comes from your building’s basement, Facebook Marketplace, or your local thrift store, I’m a firm believer that if a piece is meant for you, it’ll find you.
And the real moral of the story? We make plans, and the home decor gods laugh. Despite careful curation, it’s often an unexpected find that really makes a space. And it really is those special pieces, the ones with a backstory — not the shiny or expensive new items — that truly make a house a home.