The Painted Piano

At The Point
97 Comments

After a year of mulling it over, I finally did it.

I painted the piano.

It wasn’t easy, fast or fun.  But I am so, SO thrilled with the results.

Sadly, my “before” pictures were accidentally deleted.  That’s what I get for letting the kids borrow my camera before I got the pictures out of it.  Argh!  It wasn’t anything to write home about.  Plain, ugly brown and it didn’t help the room, which I am trying to lighten and cheer up.

As for the final results, I’m swooning.  Someone please fan me before faint from the gorgeousness.

Or it could be the heat.  We had to leave the windows open for ventilation and it is pretty hot in here.  Or it could be my smokin’ hot piano.  You decide.

I’m sure you’re dying for a closer look……

I did some sanding along the edges.  Even though the white primer shows through I still love it!  No more big, ugly brown thing in the corner.

The platter was $5 from Home Goods.  I used my Cricut to add the fan.

I just love how it turned out.  Did I say that already?   Sorry, but it was such a big job that I think it deserves a second mention.

Have you ever wanted to paint your piano?!

(It’s been over 6 years since I painted the piano and it looks as good today as it did in the beginning.  I have never regretted doing it and I want to encourage you, if you’ve got a crazy idea like this, to go for it!)

I’ve had so many questions about how I did it so I did a tutorial….here’s what I did.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook!

97 Comments

  2. This is gorgeous and I did not expect to be impressed but I am, totally. LOVE the blue and the distressy corners and edges and the arrangement on top and did I mention I LOVE the blue? A big thumbs up for this redo from me!
    .-= Ann´s last blog ..Mossy Decor Balls =-.

  3. LOL! I am so glad you were pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the thumbs up. 🙂 Lisa~

  4. GORGEOUS!!! Truly, absolutely, perfectly beautiful!!!! Way to go, tackling a big scary no-no of a project and proving them Wrong! You did great, and I love it!! that color is awesome!!!!!!

    Definitely worth a 2nd mention, or 3rd or 4th……LOL! Love it!
    .-= The Reader´s last blog ..Amazon Trip: Rio Urubu =-.

  5. It really is BEAUTIFUL, Lisa. You are truly one of the bravest women I’ve ever known. Kudos.

  6. IT IS FABULOUS!!! BEYOND FABULOUS!! I know I already emailed, but I had to comment. You did a spectacular job…will definitely be featuring this on the blog…probably way before next Saturday. 🙂 shaunna
    .-= shaunna´s last blog ..Saturday Shout Out!! =-.

  7. Oh wow. Your piano is spectacular! I’ve been thinking about doing this to my plain, brown, wood piano and now I think I’m totally sold on doing it. I would be really interested in how you did it though. Did you sand beforehand? Did you prime? 🙂 Really love how it turned out.
    .-= Sarah@BlueCastle´s last blog ..Kitchen Makeover Part 2 =-.

  8. I’m swooning right there with you. I LOVE it. I’m all about blue lately which is weird for me. talk about brighten up a corner! Brilliant transformation!

  10. WOW! Your piano is gorgeous! I don’t think I could’ve done it. I keep hearing my mom’s story about her piano. They bought it for $100, painted green. They stripped it down. We heard that story a few times! 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting on my blog. I am going to be adding yours to my favorites.
    .-= Alamama´s last blog ..Farewell Pompay =-.

  13. Ok that is drop dead gorgeous. I would of LOVED a tutorial though because I have a very similar piano in a yellowed creamy colour with gold trim that I have been contemplating on painting for the past 5 years. You have given me the courage to do so. Just wondering if you would share briefly the steps you took?
    .-= barbara@hodge:podge´s last blog ..~Pretty Glass Bottles Come in Handy~ =-.

  14. Oh.my.goodness!!! It is absolutely full to overflowing with gorgeousness…my new word! It made me swoon too and it wasn’t the heat. I seriously think we may have been separated at birth. I have a piece of furniture in need of a makeover, but I’ve been too chicken. You’ve inspired me!

    If you’re ever over here in my neck of the woods, bring some of your lemonade and join us at the pool!
    .-= Angela´s last blog ..Need to breathe =-.

  15. Ooooh, I love the way it came out. I have seen a few painted pianos recently and loved them all — I don’t play but now I want a piano just to paint it, haha! Anyway, great job on the makeover. I’m glad I found your blog (via Reinvented’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday) and look forward to getting to know you! I’m over at whimsysmitten.blogspot.com.

    Enjoy your fabulous new piece, and try not to faint from all that gorgeousness! 🙂

  16. This is just beautiful!!! I’ve never seen a painted piano. If I had one, I’d totally do this. Great job!!! Visiting from Santa’s Gift Shoppe. 🙂

  17. WOW!!!!! It looks amazing, I love the color you chose. I have an old piano in my basement that my husband refuses to let me get rid of, you gave me a great idea to make it a little more bearable. Great job!!!

  21. Well that is the first painted piano I have ever seen, and it is stunning! I love the colour, it is my favourite (closely followed by baby pink!) Well done for being so brave 🙂
    xx Karen
    .-= Karen Needham´s last blog ..Recent Antics =-.

  22. I am SOOOOO glad that you decided to do a “how-to” post. When I read that you weren’t going to because you didn’t think anyone else would want to paint there piano I was thinking…BUT I DO! I DO! Though I don’t have a piano at the moment I have been searching diligently on craigslist for one that I like and I’ve been planning to paint it all along! I can’t hardly wait! Your piano turned out gorgeous! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I hope mine turns out just a beautiful as yours did!

  25. Wonder if the same treatment would punch up our electric keyboard…?
    Likely not.
    It’s lovely – totally against the rules, but lovely none the less. I’m sure the music is that much sweeter now.
    .-= Sara K´s last blog ..What Evil Lurks… =-.

  26. Oh my, I love it! I would really like to paint my piano, because the previous owners did a real hack job on refinishing it. But, it’s from 1905 and I just can’t get up the nerve to tackle something that old in case I ruin it. So I will live vicariously through yours!

    Btw, I did read your tutorial. Um, spilling paint inside it is totally something that would happen to me.

  29. Just beautiful!
    My 19 year-old daughter is a classical pianist, and so, we do have a piano in our sitting room!
    To paint it would be awesome, but it is an heirloom from my mother-in-love, so I couldn’t paint it! But I enjoyed seeing yours!
    What a wonderful blue!
    I painted my cabinets in my basement cafe’ this shade!
    Especially love the FORGIVE sign.
    Blessings to you as you make your home!

  30. Years ago my mom painted our piano green so I don’t think it’s very strange at all. Some people get pretty upset when you do things like this, but ummm hello! black pianos are painted too!

  31. I have the same ugly piano in my entry way, which is part of my living room. I have been wanting to sell it, and when I saw this post; I was very interested to see how it would come out. I love it!!!, but, why is it soooooo hard to take that first step. I really want to do this, but I am so afraid of ruining it’s ugliness…hehehe, really?? what am I afraid will happen???
    Thanks so much for the inspiration,
    Desi

  32. Oh, wow! Beautiful! Totally Beautiful!
    I have a piano that could really use this! The problem is, as just wood, it’s pretty. It would make some wonderful shelves and a great headboard. But as a piano~hideous! So I can’t decide what do to.

  33. LOVE IT! That color makes my heart pitter pat, flip flop, and wanna do the hula! Breath taking at the least.

    This makes me wanna go buy a piano just to paint it!
    .-= Beth ´s last blog ..I have a linky! =-.

  34. Wonderful!
    Saving this in my favorites to show the Hubby and fingers crossed he will let me paint our piano. 🙂

    Did you paint over the piano maker’s name? Our piano is a Kimball and I am not sure if I should cover up the label.

    in Christ,
    Mrs T

  35. wowsa. this is insanely awesome. you were BRAVE to paint such a gorgeous, large piece, but it turned out perfect. from the color to the distressing, etc.

  36. Love the color! You give me courage! I may do the same to my piano. My boys think it’s a great place to drive cars and it shows.

  38. I LOVE IT!!! I have a BLACK PAINTED upright piano & I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I think people think a piano is untouchable to paint…but they look so much prettier painted!

  39. Cleaning up from a tornado? So sorry to hear that. Hopefully no one was hurt. God’s timing with the post is interesting. Praying for your clean-up and knowing the outcome with be beautiful…both of them!
    .-= Angela´s last blog ..Tornado clean up =-.

  40. That piano ROCKS!!!! It’s awesome! I love, love, love it!!! My mom painted a piano some 35 years ago and everyone thought she was crazy till they saw it. Way to go!!! (You crack me up, btw!)
    ☺ Celeste

  41. Crazy awesome piano. I have one just waiting for paint. Thanks for the inspiration to get motivated on painting it. Mine will be jadite green.

  42. I LOVE what you’ve done with it. If there was one piece of furniture I wish I had room for in my tiny house, it would be my husband’s grandmother’s piano- which I would paint the second I got my hands on it. I’m drooling as we speak. Love it. Good job!

  43. I literally spoke the word “WOW!” out loud when I saw this transformation! BEAUTIFUL!
    I am so glad you linked up to “AP Tueadays!” I read your “About Me” and just love to hear about your love for our Lord. So nice to “meet” you!

  45. OHMY, this is BEAUTIFUL. I have almost the same piano in my living room. It was my grandmother’s though and I don’t think I have the GUTS to paint it. I wish I did though.

  55. I came across your blog via tatertots and LOVE that. If I could find a cheap piano (that worked) and I played I would definitely do this! Did you say what color you used?

  56. I saw this last night and it totally made me want to paint our old piano from my childhood too! I am not sure if when I move out of the basement my mom will say go ahead! take it with you! or not over my dead body!

  58. I painted my piano pretty much that exact same color last summer and it makes me happy every single time I walk past it.

  59. I came over from Mustard Seeds and I am definately painting my piano. It is an antique, that is so old it can’t be tuned but still love the shape but hate the color. Thanks for the inspiration!

  64. Hope you don’t mind that I wrote about your piano on our creative blog – atticgals.blogspot.com. You did a super job. Can’t wait to explore your blog more. Thanks for sharing.
    .-= Alysa Whitlock´s last blog ..Painted Pianos =-.

  65. Wow… My blog post for ‘Show and Tell Friday’ was all about my wanting to paint my 1912 upright piano. What a blessing to find you. You have given me the inspiration to forge ahead with my crazy desire. Thanks!

    Great job, by the way…It looks spectacular!
    .-= Cindy~´s last blog ..MY WHITE ELEPHANT… =-.

  67. How did I miss this post??!! I was eagerly awaiting it.

    IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL! But, you really didn’t need one more person to tell you the obvious…or maybe you did 😉

    I’m thinking you have too much time on your hands, Lisa. You may want to look into having another kid or something lol
    .-= Autumn Beck´s last blog ..Books, Books and More Books =-.

  68. I absolutely love this! It’s the same color I added in my dining room recently.I hated painting the chairs, because it took forever, but love the way it looks. Great job!!!!
    Sure brightens up that corner, doesn’t it?
    LOVE IT!!!!
    Debbie@houseatthelake

  75. i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    the color, the sanding, the mirrors, the letter, the shell!!!!!!!!! just beautiful. i never would have thought to paint a piano! but, i am glad you did!! thank you, you have inspired me!
    all the best,
    donna

  76. Awesome job! It turned out beautiful! I am promptly showing your blog to my daughter. (Well later in the morning, it’s 2 a.m. right now) She is moving into her new home and wants to paint her upright piano. It is very similar to what yours looked like. We have been contemplating the work involved into doing something so drastic to a piano. But after reading your post… I have been inspired and I know she will be too! Congrats on a great job!
    .-= ldydyinspired´s last blog ..The Guilded Teacups …. =-.

  79. OMG …my jaw just hit the ground. I found your link on amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com and I about fell on the floor. I have had that EXACT same FISCHER maple piano since I was 8 years old and THAT was a very long time ago. I have never liked maple and have always thought someday I would paint it. I may have to ask you how you did it. Was it hard? It looks fantastic. I would love to do mine. It’s a great piano with an excellent soundboard and even though we also have a grand piano and a harpsichord I don’t want to ever get rid of it. Thanks for sharing!

  82. Oh, please don’t skip the tutorial!!! I totally want to paint my piano! I love the look!!

  83. Lisa,
    Does that sign that says “Forgive” have any special meaning? Is that the piano talking lol

    It looks cute but but a painted piano, doesn’t that mess with the sound or somethig?

    Maria

  85. Hey Lisa-
    I’ve been saving this to feature forever now and I just wanted to let you know I am going to publish this tomorrow (Tuesday) on Crazy Domestic.com. Thanks for the fun inspiration!
    -Stephanie

  87. i LOVE this. I suddenly have the urge to buy an old piano and paint it. *sigh* I would have never thought of that…you did a great job!

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  90. i have been DYING to paint my ugly brown piano. it looks almost identical, except the bench doesnt have a cushion. you may have just given my the courage….yours looks great.

  91. well, i did it….ughhh. looks like a giant white elephant in my living room. got to figure out how to accessorize it.

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  94. Wow Wow Wow!!! Absolutely love love love this. I bought an old piano to paint, but haven’t been able to decide on the color. What color did you use? Geez, this just took my breath away.

  96. Your piano looks great and the best part – it is still a piano. Why do we get so worked up about the outside color when the function of the item remains unharmed? I love the color you picked too. Nice job!

  97. Hello Darling Lisa, I just love this piano project. I have a neighbor who wants to paint her piano. Hopefully, your success will give us courage to give it a try. Hope to see you at SNAP again this year!

    Warmly, Michelle

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