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I've been living in the Blue Ridge Mountains since 2005 and just sold Fl house. I brought up 2 pianos and plan on selling 1. I am building an addition, very cottage style, my vision is the white piano but the black 1 is a Steinway which is classic....how can I make a black baby grand fit into cottage style? Thanks in advance Annie...or should I forget'classic' and keep white piano?

Or option three: You could have the Steinway refinished in any color you would like.

Here are two rooms with black baby grands that I pulled off Houzz.com. The furnishings in these rooms are more contemporary/transitional, but I think you can see how the use of pattern, color and adding more hits of black can help the piano make sense in a room that has a more casual feel.

Gracie, That is a beautiful room (first one) with a balance of the black in the room to tie it in. If the black makes sense in the decorating it will all fit together.

I appreciate the quick responses...lol...if it were up to me the piano would be pink,lol. My entire house has beadboard walls to the chair rails and beadboard ceilings, since I brought up a lot of art work, I'm thinking of beadboard from floor to ceiling and beadboard ceiling (of course) in addition so I can hang more pics, back to the piano...I looked at Houzz too and the rooms are much more contemporary, my 1800's farm is a very vintage, flea more than transitional, I'm on dial up so it takes forever to upload pics. I guess my vision for the room is romantic garden style Maybe a piano shawl (that'll keep me busy shopping second hand storesI wish I could see a pic of a real 'cottage style' w/ a black baby grand! If anyone finds a pic like that, please share and ease my mind! Thanks!!! Annie....I don't have black anywhere in the house.

I've heard that every room needs a little black to help ground it. I think your black baby grand would do just fine in a cottagey setting.

Here are some pictures of pianos in casual or cottage-y settings. One thing about casual/cottage is that the finishes in that sort of look are usually not shiny. If the black piano is super shiny then I think it would need to be refinished to look right in a cottage setting.

All photos are just from Google.

Another.

Another

Last one. You will notice that the pianos in the rustic settings I posted are more brown than black. This black piano would work in a cottage because of the style of the piano, but also because the finish is not as shiny. (or it doesn't seem to be in the photo.) Anyway, I hope that gives you some ideas. In any case, if you play the piano, and it is not just for looks, then by all means keep the best piano, no matter what color.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,

Which piano sounds better in your home and you enjoy playing? Keep the one you enjoy and actually USE then make the house honor it and fit it in.

cocok,
GREAT photos!

Thanks for sharing more pics! I'm ashamed to say that I don't play either. The Steinway was a gift from my Grandparents purchased for me when I was a little girl (I still have the receipt from the 60's!) It was at my Mom's house till she became ill. The white piano, I purchased after my divorce. You've opened my eyes to see that everything doesn't and shouldn't be matchy matchy (my house isn't) I guess the contrast of a black baby grand in a white cottage setting will be striking! Thanks SOOOOO much! XXXXOOOO You are the best.

AnnieJoey,
I think that selling the white one and getting a piano lesson or a few would honor your grandparents! You could also get someone you know that knows how to play to play for you in the house so the notes resonate off the walls and fill your memory of the sound. What a celebration of having the soul of the piano be heard throughout the house.

I had a friend that used to play her piano for me whenever I would visit. LOVED it, sat in a comfy chair and closed my eyes. I love to hear someone play the piano!

Mary Ruth, I will share the story behind the white piano After my divorce, I went on a cruise and was swept off my feet by the Piano Player on the ship! Yup LSS, he left the cruise line after 9 years and worked in So Fl at hotels. It was an AMAZING time in my life! My Dad was a Dr and used to bring home medical journals to read, my BF was a piano player and came home and played the piano! It was bliss Sadly he passed away but I will always remember our good times. He was my 'Ricky Ricardo and I was the untalented Lucy'...LOL....back to decorating! Just had to share.

OH Annie!
I can see why you were torn as to which piano to keep OH MY! You already have all the cherished memories! How SPECIAL!
No matter what you do or decide on you already are rich with experiences that made you happy!
Thanks so much for sharing! Made me smile!

I have 2 pianos in my house which I also don't play. I did play as a child but that was back in the dark ages.

As for the Steinway, DON"T TOUCH IT. My niece just paid $27,000 for a 40 year old Steinway.
IF you ever sell it, people will want it black.

Love, Lu,
GOOD Point about Steinway!

Annie,
IF you want some pink on a piano, a nice throw over it would give some color but not alter the finish.

OMG, LOL I would never touch the Steinway! It would be like making the Mona Lisa blonde! I will search for a pretty piano shawl! Thanks! Annie