Last Updated on December 24, 2015 by Kristi Linauer
This past weekend I worked on two fun projects — a desk makeover for my niece’s bedroom (more on that later this week) and my piano. I didn’t actually get very far on the piano because I got sidetracked with paint color options, and then almost talked myself out of painting it completely. I had one of those “before I paint, I must see what’s under that thick, old finish” moments at around 10:30pm on Friday night, so I got out the paint stripper and got to work. The next thing I knew, I had paint stripper all over the large front piece, and all over one whole side of the piano.
I was really hoping that piano guy was wrong, and that the thing would be made out of solid pine. Or oak. I have no issue at all painting pine or oak.
It wasn’t. It’s walnut for sure. It’s not burled walnut like he said it was, but it’s definitely walnut. And it’s beautiful.
After seeing that, I really felt guilty about wanting to paint it, and I actually wavered back and forth the rest of the night and the next day. But in the end, I decided to go for the paint. The fact is that I don’t think stripping this piano is a DIY kind of project. The old finish came off in such a thick, sticky mess (kind of like scraping thick, cold molasses off of the piano) like I’ve never experienced when stripping furniture. Not only that, but it took three coats of stripper, with lots of scraping between each coat, and then I still had to use my sander after that to get down to bare wood. That old finish just does not want to let go. And it’s not like this is a solid piece of walnut. It’s veneer, which is only so thick, so I run the risk of sanding right through it if I’m not careful.
And if I had trouble with the large, flat areas, how in the world am I going to get the intricate detailed areas, like the carving on front, and the fluted legs, and the beaded details on the edges, perfectly stripped? I don’t think I have the capability. There comes a time in every DIYers life when she must face the fact that perhaps this project is one for a professional. For me, this is that project.
But of course, hiring a professional to completely strip the piano isn’t really in the budget for now. That would cost somewhere between $2000 and $4000, and that’s money that I can’t justify spending right now on a project like this. I definitely want it done in the future, though. That wood is too pretty to be permanently hidden underneath paint.
But in the meantime, I paint! 🙂 The question is, what color? I’ve been thinking that yellow is perfect for it. Yellow is a beautiful complement to green, and from where the piano sits, you can see my green kitchen cabinets. Yellow also looks great with the coral buffet in the entryway. And yellow is the brightest of colors, and would really brighten up the music room, which has no windows and only gets natural light indirectly from the neighboring rooms. Plus, yellow just makes me smile.
via Rage Against The Minivan
via We Are That Family
via Love TazaBut then on Saturday, my mom said that she thought I should paint it green — one that is much lighter than the kitchen cabinets, but one that will complement the cabinets. I hadn’t even thought about green, quite honestly. So I grabbed some samples at Home Depot to try them out. Hmmm…a green piano.
via East Coast Creative
via Design Mom
via Cute Pink StuffActually, none of the samples I bought from Home Depot (green or yellow) ended up working out. They were all way to pale for my taste. But I spent an hour or so mixing my own colors, mostly from paint I already had on hand, and came up with some options that I really like.
Here’s what they look like during the brightest time of the day…
To mix these colors, I used Behr Wildflower Honey (a bright, saturated yellow), Behr Polar Bear (the white I use on my trim), Behr Sap Green (a soft green), Sherwin Williams Derbyshire (the green on my kitchen cabinets), and Behr Pure Black.
1. Behr Wildflower Honey + Behr Sap Green
2. Behr Wildflower Honey + Behr Polar Bear
3. Behr Wildflower Honey + Behr Polar Bear (less white added than in #2, obviously)
4. Behr Wildflower Honey
5. SW Derbyshire + Behr Wildflower Honey
6. SW Derbyshire + (more) Behr Wildflower Honey
7. SW Derbyshire + (even more) Behr Wildflower Honey
8. #7 mixture + Behr Polar Bear + a touch of Behr Pure Black
Interestingly, I tried using the Derbyshire and just adding white to it to make it lighter. That didn’t work at all. It turned this horrible mint green with ugly blue undertones. Any time I added white to the Derbyshire, it started turning blue. In fact, here are the same colors later in the evening (I took this the day before the previous picture, and it wasn’t quite dark outside yet), and you can see how that last one has a touch of blue in it because I added white, and I only added a very small amount of white to it.
I hadn’t intended to post that picture, since there’s a shadow on my favorite yellow (#2) that makes it appear darker than it is (and since there’s a messy kitchen in the background 😀 ), but the rest of the colors look accurate to me, and this picture really shows the differences in the greens.
Anyway, I’ve completely ruled out #1 (too muted, and in that awkward middle ground where it’s not really green and not really yellow), #4 (too bold and saturated), and #5 (too dark). My favorite yellow is #2 (the Wildflower Honey with more white added to it), and my favorite greens are #6 (Derbyshire with Wildflower Honey) and #8 (Derbyshire, Wilflower Honey, Polar Bear, and Pure Black). If I had to choose a green right now, it would be #6.
But anyway, I’m not really concerned right now with the specific tint/shade I should choose. Right now, I can’t even decide on a general color. Yellow or green? I personally think either green or yellow would look good next to my kitchen and dining room. And I think they would both look fantastic against my hand-drawn version of Schumacher’s Birds & Butterflies wallpaper (sans butterflies).
And strangely, I really don’t have a favorite. I honestly think I like the yellow and green equally.
So I’m taking the easy way out and letting you decide. 😀 Yellow or green? Majority rules on this one.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I hope you’ll join me on my DIY and decorating journey! If you want to follow my projects and progress, you can subscribe below and have each new post delivered to your email inbox. That way you’ll never miss a thing!
200 Comments
Melissa
August 10, 2015 at 9:56 amLove number six, but seeing as you have that gorgeous green dresser in the hallway nearby I think the perfect shade of yellow stole my heart. Also, another option that would be very cool would e the paint everything yellow except the top and sides which could be stained walnut! How modern yet traditional! And Those parts might make the diy stripping for feasible. It’s going to be gorgeous. I can imagine some striped or the floral fabric from the dining room on the piano bench paired with it too. Gorgeous. I think Kate spade would approve 🙂
Melissa
August 10, 2015 at 9:57 am*would be to paint. Stupid phone
Vicki
August 10, 2015 at 10:08 amLoving the yellow! Agree w/Melissa re the dark walnut topped piano!
Lysa
August 10, 2015 at 12:14 pmExactly what I was thinking as well. Stained flat Walnut and then a fun pop of yellow.
Lysa
August 10, 2015 at 12:19 pmSorry – I meant to say “then fun pop of deep blue from the artwork instead of the yellow.”
jane dufrane
August 10, 2015 at 4:57 pmyellow in order to pull the gold out of the kitchen
Syble Mc
August 10, 2015 at 9:56 amI vote for #8 green.
Darcel
August 10, 2015 at 10:01 amI like the idea of a yellow piano in a shade similar to Rustoleum’s Sun Yellow spray paint. However, are you going to like the coral buffet leading to a yellow piano in the music room that’s adjacent to a kitchen with green cabinets? (I may be confused on the floorplan). I would go for the green paint instead. But you seem to make things work in ways that us mere mortals cannot:) Good luck with whichever color you decide on!
Kim
August 10, 2015 at 10:31 amI had the same thought. Will you see the piano from the door, where you will have the coral buffet in your line of vision also? And possibly the kitchen cabinets when you open that up to the dining room (I thought you mentioned that somewhere, but I could be wrong)? I fear it might start to look a little elementary when you get so many different colors on primary pieces going on. I know you ruled out refinishing due to cost, but some wood pieces (maybe somewhere else) would really look nice mixed in with the painted ones. I really like what you have done so far.
Debbie
August 11, 2015 at 7:59 pmBoth colors would look nice if just looking @ the piano, but I just question it being seen from other rooms also. Maybe a more nutural color such as .a different shade of Black , off while, gray with glazing. me personally I would need to pull more of the other rooms together before deciding for fear I wouldn’t like it afterwards. Especially being undecided yourself. You may get a vote for a color you don’t really care for too. Remember how you changed your mind on the vaniety color in the bathroom when you got further along. If the room was closed off I’d say go for it. Love your work. Good luck.
Debbie
August 11, 2015 at 9:34 pmWent & read your answers on FB. See you don’t like gray and you don’t want more black or white. That in mind I vote for #2 yellow. Green I think would be too much for the coral buffet. Waiting for the finish project.
Jenw
August 10, 2015 at 10:03 am#4, yellow. There’s a lot of green in your house…go different! If you do go green I like #6. Your mom IS very talented though…maybe just sick with “mom knows best” and go green. Bah! I’m no help! Good luck!
Rachel
August 10, 2015 at 10:04 amYellow!!
Teresa
August 10, 2015 at 10:05 amyellow, go with your first gut instinct 🙂
Carrie
August 10, 2015 at 10:07 amYellow all the way, baby!
Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely
August 10, 2015 at 10:08 amI vote for yellow. I actually really like the straight Wildflower Honey!
Wendy Burchik
August 10, 2015 at 3:01 pmI agree with Ann Marie, I love the Wildflower Honey on its own.
DeAnna
August 10, 2015 at 10:09 amI like the yellows #3 and #4 I like the creamy buttery ness of them
Len Williams Carver
August 10, 2015 at 10:11 am#2 please that is such a beautiful yellow. I don’t think having a “pop” of color in the entry, the kitchen and the music room is to much (you can never have too much color, in my opinion) as usual whatever you decide will be perfect!
becky
August 10, 2015 at 10:19 amyellow #2
Emily
August 10, 2015 at 10:12 amBright, sunny yellow all the way!
Jacqueline
August 10, 2015 at 10:12 amHi Kristy –
I’m kinda not loving those colors – since you have a small room, have you thought about maybe
painting the piano in the background/cream of the wall paper? Then you could add the bright
colors in picture frames, maybe a vase, etc.? Just a thought… – J
Lynne
August 10, 2015 at 10:27 amI really like this idea of matching the white background! The room is too small and dark for the other colors.
Char
August 10, 2015 at 10:40 amExactly what I was thinking. I’m really not liking any of these colors. A nice, rich white or cream to match the background would look beautiful.
debbie periman
August 10, 2015 at 10:12 amBright yellow! Especially if you plan to include lots of bold colors in the birds on your hand-drawn wallpaper… you could bring some coral from the buffet and some green from the cabinets into the music room as well.
Brenda Bell
August 10, 2015 at 10:57 pmI agree with Debbie Periman.
Trish
August 10, 2015 at 10:12 amYellow!
Debra Koontz Roberson
August 10, 2015 at 10:13 amYellow!! And I don’t even generally like the color yellow. But really, look at those pictures again. Doesn’t the yellow look much happier and approachable than the green? It makes the piano look fun and inviting. This is more than just a piece of furniture. Love your blog!!
Rachelle
August 10, 2015 at 12:04 pm^^^ I agree with this. 🙂
Brenda Roberts
August 10, 2015 at 10:13 amLoving yellow.
Ellen
August 10, 2015 at 10:14 amYellow for me.
Belinda
August 10, 2015 at 10:17 amI love the yellow.It will look fantastic next to that wallpaper pattern and will bring out the gold accent in the kitchen cabinets.
Sheila F
August 10, 2015 at 10:18 amI like #3! The color stays bright in all lights. (I like #2 for daytime but it pales at night). Now as much as I love the yellow, I am tempted to listen to your Mom. As an artist she can really make colors work! Lol. So I AM NO HELP! LOL!
heather gillett
August 10, 2015 at 10:18 amYellow #3. this would look fab with a wood or green top?
Carol
August 10, 2015 at 10:19 amBetween the coral buffet, black/white stripes, yellow piano and green kitchen. Not to mention wall that will have two different designs, one in the dining room and one in the music. There is just so much going on, sensory overload! I have faith that you will get it all figured out, you always do. Can’t wait to see what the finished look.
Char
August 10, 2015 at 10:32 amMy thoughts exactly. I’d paint it a rich, glossy white (or cream) or black.
TinaG
August 10, 2015 at 11:45 amThat was my thought exactly. Between the striped rug, floral chairs, handpainted wallpaper, etc…I think I would do either a nice cream or a deep, dramatic black.
Christina
August 10, 2015 at 4:47 pmI would suggest black or white. They are classic colors.
Joanie
August 11, 2015 at 8:14 amditto
Pam
August 10, 2015 at 11:00 amOh man. I agree with her…
Peggy
August 10, 2015 at 12:01 pmThough we seem to be in the minority, I am in total agreement with the sensory overload.
Lisa E
August 10, 2015 at 12:36 pmI have to agree as well. Black or white/cream IMHO.
Cat
August 10, 2015 at 3:25 pmI agree, I think you have way too much going on and need something a bit neutral
Cindy
August 10, 2015 at 3:16 pmMy thoughts exactly. High, high gloss black would be stunning, especially with that detail work.
Kim
August 10, 2015 at 9:24 pmYou didn’t mention the teal vanity in the bathroom. I vote black with your great ‘wallpaper.’ But the yellow could work.
Diane
August 10, 2015 at 10:20 amYellow – it’s just a happy colour !
Gaye
August 10, 2015 at 10:21 amYou know yellow is my all time favorite “not”…but I must admit those pictures you posted of the yellow pianos vs the green pianos made me stop and go back and look and I decided yellow was the best color…it is hard to match a green unless you use the same green as the kitchen and I don’t think that is the best option. Soooo in the long run…yellow is it.
Have fun.,..can’t wait to see it done….
Katy
August 10, 2015 at 10:21 amYellow! It’s just a such happy color 🙂
Deb
August 10, 2015 at 10:22 amI recall you saying you don’t like to do things in the traditional way or order, but in the case of the piano, it might be the one time to wait and get the rest of the room done and then decide on the color. If you can stand it…:-)
Michelle W.
August 10, 2015 at 3:17 pmYou took the words right out of my mouth! I know it’s hard to wait, but get the dining room done and the wallpaper up and THEN I think it will be obvious what color the piano should be!
sue2
August 10, 2015 at 10:22 amYou wavered thinking long and hard about painting this historical piano and feeling almost guilty so what I say is, get back with Burt and Robert at your local company and offer them your piano. As you said in the original post, Robert rebuilds and restores pianos and because he said the Goggan is “very special” and he has one of the very few remaining, I believe he would be extremely interested in having yours. Burt sells pianos so perhaps you can get a trade-in and own a less significant piano you won’t feel the least bit guilty about painting. Down the road, you won’t have to deal with stripping and restoring it yourself as you mentioned. You have plenty of projects to keep you busy until you find the replacement piano.
margaret
August 11, 2015 at 1:42 amI agree with not painting that piano. It is special and deserves to be respected as is. Trade it for another and paint it instead.
Kim
August 10, 2015 at 10:22 amYELLOW! Like you said, this room has no natural light so it would definitely brighten up the room. While I do like the green, I’m afraid it would end up being just a large dark object in there.
But what do I know?! 🙂
P.S. Yellow is my favorite color! hahahaha
Sheila
August 10, 2015 at 10:24 amI think painting the piano is a great idea. I like #3 the best but of course I’m not there in person to see it. Also, I think a royal blue like the one in the wallpaper would look terrific and go well with all the other colors in the house. Then maybe you could use yellow to emphasize the design on the front of the piano and some of the other raised edges. That would be pretty! Can’t wait to see what you decide.
Sheila
August 10, 2015 at 10:26 amOr instead of yellow on the raised edges, you could use gold like you did on the kitchen cabinets.
CSB
August 10, 2015 at 10:27 amYellow! Bright Yellow!
carswell
August 10, 2015 at 10:27 amI think I would wait on committing to a colour on the piano until I had the music room decorated. You’ve got a lot of punchy stuff going on around that area and visible from there (the green & white kitchen, the multi coloured dining area and that coral buffet, black chairs and intricate wall pattern leading into that room).
Fun as it might be to paint the piano now I think doing so would be a mistake and you’d be forced into decorating the music room around the piano rather than having the piano complement the decor. Or, horror of horrors, you might have to repaint the piano once the music room decor is decided.
Pam
August 10, 2015 at 10:56 amGood idea!
Trina
August 10, 2015 at 10:27 amI personally prefer the #3 yellow with perhaps some “antiquing” finish. I love the idea mentioned above with staining the walnut top and sides and the fabric on the bench. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the different colors and almost like there is some mixed message. Have you considered a black and walnut piano?
Marie roxanne
August 10, 2015 at 10:28 amI like #1 and #3 maybe a combination of both yellow and green?
Brenda Stadheim
August 10, 2015 at 10:28 amHave you thought about a stain? then you would get the pop of color you want but still see the burled walnut under neath. I used the blue color for a side table it was the minwax water based in a tube but it worked well…it’s a nice color and then I did a water based poly over it. I LOVE the pop of color in the wood. If you want to see a pictures….email me and I will send
Karen
August 10, 2015 at 10:29 amNow, if you’d only asked me without providing pictures I would always have gone for green, as I looove green and don’t like yellow that much. But in your inspiration, pictures the yellow pianos look all fun and inviting and great whereas the green ones look a bit boring. So I’d say if you really like yellow next to your green kitchen and the coral buffet (this would be my turning-to-green reason – too many different and bright colours next to each other) I’d cheer you on to go with yellow. I like the buttery #3 in your second picture; in the first it looks completely different though, and your favourite #2 looks buttery there, so I’d go for that colour that actually looks creamy and rich and – delicious 🙂
debra
August 10, 2015 at 10:30 amYELLOW!!!!!
Kelsey
August 10, 2015 at 10:30 amYellow!!
Glenda
August 10, 2015 at 10:31 amLove the yellow #4. Since when have you been afraid of bold? Go for it! It is beautiful!! 🙂
Debbie in Fort Worth
August 10, 2015 at 10:31 amBright yellow! Assuming you will use bold colors on the birds in your hand-drawn wallpaper, you can carry the coral of the buffet and the green of the cabinets into the music room that way.
Cheryl Smith-Bell
August 10, 2015 at 10:32 amI vote yellow, or a loud lime green! I I like the idea of the stain on the striped part. Why not, it would sure be different you’ll settle on what you like best, for you, and we all can’t wait to see!
Patricia Smith
August 10, 2015 at 10:33 amNot a fan of yellow. I would do a white with a glaze…that way, you can change colors or styles and the piano will still coordinate! It would also brighten up the room…
Pam
August 10, 2015 at 10:49 amI like the white too
Linda H
August 10, 2015 at 10:33 amYellow. I liked the #4 sample. So bright and cheerful.
Lisa
August 10, 2015 at 10:34 amI haven’t read all the comments so I don’t know which color is winning! 🙂 I say yellow!!! With the black and white of the dining room and the PPP of orange and the super saturated green in the kitchen….if you add a paler green to that mix it is not going to flow and mesh. All of those muddy avocado is colors would really look so sad with all of your bold bright colors you’ve gone with so far. If you use green the only green is use is the kitchen cabinet color, but I would choose a bold bright yellow that can stand its own next to a black and white room with an orange buffet!!! 🙂
Lisa
August 10, 2015 at 10:36 amDuh! Sorry for all the typos! Autocorrect sucks and I didn’t proof read! Should’ve drank more coffee before commenting! LOL
Carol
August 10, 2015 at 10:35 amI think that the key is going to be your floral/watercolor chair fabric. That has to be the tie in for everything!!!!
Yellow. I love green(my kitchen is green, now as well), but it is too matchy, matchy. Yellow. 2 or 3.
Can not wait for you to do the accent wall. I might join you in that venture too!!!
AndyZ
August 10, 2015 at 10:35 amYELLOW!!!!!!
Lynn
August 10, 2015 at 10:38 amI really like the yellow, looks so bright and happy!
Donna
August 10, 2015 at 10:38 amYellow would be a fun and exciting color….for awhile….then it could become tiresome to the eyes in time. It would for me anyway. I think green #6 would be kind to the eyes and look great with the green kitchen and coral buffet.
Chris
August 10, 2015 at 10:39 amYellow!!! I also would like to see the walnut stained top! Good luck it will be gorgeous no matter what!
Carmen
August 10, 2015 at 10:42 amYELLOW!!! YELLOW!! YELLOW!!!!!
Alta
August 10, 2015 at 10:42 amYellow #3. It will bring out the gold in the kitchen cabinet moldings and brighten up that interior room. LOVE the first photo you posted of the yellow piano!
Sheri Hepworth
August 10, 2015 at 10:43 amSorry, Mom, but I vote yellow. I prefer #2, personally. And, that piano wood grain is beautiful!
Laura
August 10, 2015 at 10:44 amyellow #4
Mel
August 10, 2015 at 10:44 am#3 in the yellow or #7 in the green, but I like #3 the best.
Alta
August 10, 2015 at 10:46 amYellow #3.
Laniece
August 10, 2015 at 10:49 amYellow with Gold Leaf accents. Earlier two ladies mentioned doing gold leaf with blue, I think. But, I think a yellow piano with gold accents would be darling! Or, a yellow piano with no gold accents would be darling, too! 🙂 I don’t even like the color yellow and I still am WAY on board with your yellow piano idea!! It will be awesome!!
Pam
August 10, 2015 at 10:51 amWhat’s wrong with white? To me too many painted pieces with bright colors is dated!
Andrea
August 10, 2015 at 10:55 amYellow!!! It’s such a happy color. But I really like the idea of a stain/paint combo. Take advantage of that beautiful walnut on top and paint the rest. If it doesn’t work out- you can always paint it. 😀
Leslie
August 10, 2015 at 10:55 amYellow
Grace
August 10, 2015 at 10:57 amThere is always metallic gold. (Google Candice Olson gold piano)
Donna
August 10, 2015 at 10:57 amYellow #2 or 3
Michele
August 10, 2015 at 10:58 amDefinitely yellow! It would create a nice color bridge between the coral buffet and the green cabinets.
Carla
August 10, 2015 at 10:59 amYellow. More color in that room plus you are trying to get away from so much green and blue. . .
kathrine anderson
August 10, 2015 at 11:06 amI like 6 or 8. I have no problem at all with painting a piano but since a piano in my opinion is an important and dignified piece of furniture, I think green would be a better more classical choice. I also love the idea of leaving the top the beautiful walnut. I think you’ll get the fun pops of color you want while maintaining the integrity and history of the piece.
Cheri Smith-Tornabene
August 10, 2015 at 1:43 pmTotally agree with Kathrine’s words regarding leaving the top (and maybe sides) beautiful walnut and give it your pop of color to the front. You’ve done that with the bathroom vanity and your buffet. 🙂 I like Yellow #3 or Green #6.
Donna Marchlewski
August 10, 2015 at 11:08 amYellow!
Mad Margaret
August 10, 2015 at 11:09 amI vote for the darker green that’s shown in one of the photos. I know everyone else is for the yellow, and actually I have little color sense when it comes to putting rooms together with different colors, so you should probably ignore me, but I love that darker green
Thanks for your great blog and all of the tips.
Josephine/Pinky
August 10, 2015 at 11:15 amI would go with #6 green. I’ not a fan of yellow myself. Green is he color of nature it will bring life into your room.
Danielle
August 10, 2015 at 11:16 amYellow!
sarah
August 10, 2015 at 11:29 amYellow!
Marianne in Mo.
August 10, 2015 at 11:33 am#3 yellow is my vote. But in looking at the wallpaper you show, I also like the peacock blue, it complements the cabinet green and the coral sideboard, IMHO. But, I’m no designer! 😉
Marianne in Mo.
August 10, 2015 at 11:34 amAnd I just noticed your banner has the colors I’m thinking of! HA!
Lori
August 10, 2015 at 11:34 amI really like the yellows, as a concept, but I tend to agree with previous comments that talk about too many bright/saturated colors and sensory overload. Have you seen the pianos here: http://catalog.pianorevivalproject.com/collections/10 ?
I really like the grey with white accents, the black with silver accents (maybe gold for yours?) or the creamy white with yellow accents. It would still bring lightness and brightness to the room, without being another bold presence.
Kristi Linauer
August 10, 2015 at 12:50 pmWow! Some of those are absolutely amazing!!
Lisa E
August 10, 2015 at 12:55 pmWOW, those are fabulous! Love them so much better than one color overall!
Alice
August 10, 2015 at 2:59 pmI have to say that these get my vote! The best of both worlds. Especially if you could paint the areas that would make stripping difficult, and leave the areas that would be easier to strip (sides, top, etc.) stained. I like the ones with a pop of an accent color as well. Perhaps you could have the stained wood and mostly green (or I like others’ suggestions of cream) with pops of the happy yellow? I went back and looked at the original photos of the piano, and I think that it would look fabulous doing something like this. But then, it will look fabulous no matter what you do to it, I’m sure! (To answer the original question, though, I vote for yellow as opposed to green if you’re going to paint the whole thing.)
Misty
August 10, 2015 at 3:49 pmLove love love the cream with yellow accents!! If going with a solid color yellow would be my choice. Getting the right shade is the hardest part. You want happy, not maniacal :).
Laura
August 10, 2015 at 7:27 pmThese totally get my vote! I think all one bright color is going to compete with the beautiful coral and green you have now. But these are just the right mix of color without being so “in your face”. Good Luck!!
Julie B.
August 10, 2015 at 10:34 pmThose are fantastic.
Denise
August 10, 2015 at 11:08 pmWow! Those are beautiful. I love the the retro gold piano. It would look beautiful with parts of the walnut stained.
PML
August 10, 2015 at 11:35 amI vote yellow. #2 or #3
Kim
August 10, 2015 at 11:35 amYELLOW 🙂
Monica
August 10, 2015 at 11:38 amYou are painting every cabinet/furniture in your home a bright color, the kitchen, the bath cabinet and the coral dresser. In my opinion it’s starting to look like you’re trying too hard to create uniqueness. I think its going to start looking a little primary color overload and childlike. Give the eye a moment to rest when it wanders from room to room. The best comment I read so far was painting it a cream or white if you feel you want to brighten it up. If every piece screams “look at me”, then you have just removed the elegant and class from your decorating style.
Missy
August 10, 2015 at 11:39 amYellow!!!!! (pretty please???) 🙂
Margo
August 10, 2015 at 11:39 amI love the yellow in the picture from via Love Taza. I also like the yellow you have in #4. The first thing I noticed in your picture with the paint samples sitting on the piano, is the yellow actually compliments or matches or goes with (whatever phrase you want to say) the gold trim on your kitchen cabinets. I vote for a shade of sunny smiling yellow! Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will be beautiful. Have a Blessed Day.
Skye
August 10, 2015 at 11:40 am#2 yellow with a walnut top.
And that’s my final answer!
Sandy Poole
August 10, 2015 at 11:44 amI like #3 yellow if you paint it a color,,, but I think it would look stunning if you went with black on the piano! It would be classy and you are going to have some black accents in the dining room…To many different bright colors, to me, take away the elegance and traditional look of what you have already…Well just my opinion…I wish you the best always Kristi…I say pray about it.
Madeline
August 10, 2015 at 11:48 amI love yellow! its so bright and cheery… but I’m strangely drawn to #7 … even though I usually dislike green…maybe its the mixture of the yellow and green. #7 looks bright and cheery as well.
Cassie @thepaintedtoolbox.com
August 10, 2015 at 11:51 amYellow #3. 🙂
Sharon
August 10, 2015 at 11:51 amYellow, or maybe a more lime green.
Linda
August 10, 2015 at 11:55 amI agree with your mom…….. some color of green and it doesn’t much matter to me as long as it makes you happy!
Gloria S.
August 10, 2015 at 11:58 amYellow.
Kelly Palmer
August 10, 2015 at 12:00 pmI vote for Yellow #3 🙂
Jacqualyn
August 10, 2015 at 12:04 pmFirst instinct was yellow : )
So cheery
Janet McKay
August 10, 2015 at 12:06 pmYellow! I love #3. The green is great, too, but you have a lot of green already. The yellow makes your other greens look great.
Lisa
August 10, 2015 at 12:08 pmNumber 5 green is the prettiest with the hallway dresser red, and the kitchen cabinets just beyond. Yellow would clash with both to my eyes. I think if it were up to me I would paint the piano black, with accessories in colors.
Maxine
August 10, 2015 at 12:11 pmI like the idea of painting it white with a dark stained top & maybe the decretive part on the front also stained dark.
Laura
August 10, 2015 at 12:20 pmGreen is my favorite color, but your sample pics of yellow pianos were fantastic! Your green color samples don’t really grab me. So i’d go with a clean, bright yellow. Maybe with wood stained top??? Can’t wait to see it.
Rebecca
August 10, 2015 at 12:24 pmThe sample of the wallpaper you show has a bird with a blue upper body and tail, and green wings. I’d like to see the piano emulate that combination, maybe one of the colors for the side and top, the other for the front.
DAF
August 10, 2015 at 12:27 pmMore warm colors! Go with yellow.
Heather
August 10, 2015 at 12:33 pmNot sure which one, but I vote yellow all the way!
Michele
August 10, 2015 at 12:36 pmI say go for yellow. One caveat. You mention the area lacks natural light, so it won’t be well lit unless you put some lighting in that area. Are you sure you want to use a yellow or a green that is a tone in an area that doesn’t have much natural light? Wouldn’t a more pure yellow or green create a nicer overall effect with the hand painted “wallpaper” look you are going to back it up with? Just think a yellow closer to a pure hue would be more effective against the black and white vines effect. IMO, that is.
Mrs Mike
August 10, 2015 at 12:42 pmWell, I seem to be in the minority, but I’d choose the green because your kitchen cabinets are so close. Too many pops of color isn’t something I could live with on a daily basis. But I don’t have to, you have to choose what makes you happy! 🙂
HeatherB
August 10, 2015 at 12:44 pmYellow. And #2 or #3 work..I didn’t care for 1 and 4 for same reasons you stated.
Lauren P
August 10, 2015 at 12:46 pmI use more and brighter colors than anyone I know aside from you, so I instantly thought a cheery yellow would be perfect, for all of the reasons you mentioned. (Although I might stay away from a yellow with greenish undertones since you have that perfect coral buffet nearby.) While it might be too much for some people, you seem to thrive on color like me, so go for it!
Debra
August 10, 2015 at 12:46 pmHave you considered a combination–either mostly stained with painted accents or mostly painted with stained accents? [The BEST of both worlds!]
Dawn
August 10, 2015 at 12:58 pmYellow #2 for sure!
Debbie
August 10, 2015 at 1:10 pmYellow!
Tanya
August 10, 2015 at 1:14 pmDefinitely yellow! 3 or 4 get my vote! Lots of great ideas for you to choose from though! Good luck! (Not that I think you need it! You really do amazing things!)
Wendy
August 10, 2015 at 1:24 pmYellow #2 …. a dark walnut top would be gorgeous with it, if you’re feelin’ it. 😉
Arli
August 10, 2015 at 1:28 pmI too would wait until you’ve done the walls to decide on the paint color. I would go with partly stained wood and part white….but I’m boring like that.
Linz
August 10, 2015 at 1:54 pmI think yellow is my favorite.
You’ve said in the past that you want to have some non-green/blues, as well, which makes yellow a good choice. And I like the yellow piano pictures you’ve posted.
Patricia
August 10, 2015 at 2:13 pmIt looks like yellow is going to win- but there’s something to be said for primary overload. How about a pale yellow with a pad on the bench made with a white, yellow and green print?
Rachel
August 10, 2015 at 2:16 pmI’m in the minority, but I like the lighter yellow-greens as opposed to the yellow. I think a nice bright lime green works better with the coral and the cabinet green, and the wallpaper.
Rebecca
August 10, 2015 at 2:19 pmKristi you make a very compelling argument for NOT refinishing the piano! It sounds like it would cost more than the piano is worth to refinish it. But if the varnish is thick, how will the paint look when you paint over it? Are you going to have to sand the finish smooth?
I think either yellow or green would look good but I do prefer yellow. Yellow really is more cheerful.
Falisa
August 10, 2015 at 2:30 pmYellow! I love your idea!
Suzanne P
August 10, 2015 at 2:43 pmLove that green on the “East Coast Creative” pic. It’s so happy and fresh. Not digging the samples.
Merralyn
August 10, 2015 at 2:51 pmYellow! Love the wallpaper mural too! So happy. Even happier than your original stripes.
Ruth
August 10, 2015 at 2:57 pmYellow #2, not 3 or 4, and no on the antiquing especially with that wall art/decor (it will just look dirty I think). White would be too cold or formal, plus the piano would be lost against the wall. 🙂
Jeri Johnson
August 10, 2015 at 3:03 pmHere’s a curve ball, what about orange? It’s bright and cheerful, co-ordinates with green and the right shade could even compliment the coral. If not, I like #2 also.
Teresa
August 10, 2015 at 3:10 pmYELLOW! Please!
I personally don’t like any of those yellows….but I think YELLOW is the best choice 🙂
Mary Anne Looby
August 10, 2015 at 3:17 pmI would like to see your color board near your buffet. You are going to see both pieces when you walk in your front door, I don’t think you kitchen matters all that much. By the way, weren’t you going to put a swinging door between the kitchen and the music room way back when? When did that idea get flushed? I would really like to see it near the coral before making a decision, but my gut is going with the last green. It is soft and dignified and if you go for a bit of elegance in that space it won’t garish it up. Blessings.
Andi
August 10, 2015 at 3:21 pmI really think you should wait and decide at the end. You will have a lot going on in that room and it’s too early to decide if you want it to stand out or be more in the background. I love the yellow more than the green but I just see a potential for you to be repainting the piano a second time as you get closer to completion of the room.
Just my opinion. So impressed with all of your work and the thought that goes into every decision.
Guerrina
August 10, 2015 at 3:26 pmI’m part of the minority who’s having sensory overload just thinking about this! No votes for a color here!
Paige
August 10, 2015 at 3:29 pmI would love to see a combo of wood and yellow #3!!! Green would be too much with the kitchen in view. I think it might come down to whether you want to design the room around the piano or make the piano fit the design of the room.
Mariah
August 10, 2015 at 6:02 pmYes! Love the idea of a two-toned piano! Maybe those beautiful walnut sides and top, then the curvier parts could be yellow. Swoon… 🙂
Jennifer
August 10, 2015 at 3:32 pmYellow!!!
Laurie
August 10, 2015 at 3:36 pmI know you weren’t considering this but a cream or ivory that worked with the background of the butterfly wall would keep the room looking light and then you can add the color that you love in other ways. I’m quite intrigued by this room as it is in the middle of the house and the one you pass through to every other part of your house. I’m not sure what your plan is for the rest of it but I picture it with a wall of bookshelves and maybe an upholstered piano bench, a chair or two in a vibrant color (your wing back chairs?). Or maybe an art gallery wall which I’ve always wanted but don’t think I could pull off. Of course, we all have different tastes, needs and wants which is why reading DIY blogs is so much fun. Can’t wait to see how this room turns out!
froot loop
August 10, 2015 at 3:36 pmGreen…
Susan
August 10, 2015 at 3:37 pmAm I wrong in thinking that the music room has stripes and nail heads on the walls. And the butterfly paper is going in the foyer? That isn’t right is it but what is? Thanks!
Honestly I would paint the piano classic lacquer black with red lacquer details. Get it pin striped for some pizazz. Black is just so beautiful on a piano. Not that other colors aren’t but sigh shiny black is so dramatic but classic! Don’t for get to answer my quandry about what goes where?
Kristi Linauer
August 10, 2015 at 4:31 pmI’m doing full-wall (i.e., 8-foot-high) recessed panels (like on my bathroom wall) on the entryway wall, and using the bird and butterfly “wallpaper” in the music room.
Susan
August 10, 2015 at 6:10 pmThanks I still cannot figure out why I thought the music room was done in stripes with nailhead trim…..has that motif been done somewhere in your blog?
Kristi Linauer
August 10, 2015 at 7:06 pmOh, it was! I started that wall treatment at the beginning of this year, got one wall almost finished, and decided it wasn’t really the look I was going for 😀 It was a fun project, though!
Ellen
August 10, 2015 at 3:38 pmGREEN!!! #5 or #6! 🙂
Anne B
August 10, 2015 at 3:57 pmYellow!!!
Kristi
August 10, 2015 at 4:04 pmYellow!!
LBriscoe
August 10, 2015 at 4:49 pmI know you like bright, saturated color. But I am a bit concerned about too much color at the sorta same saturation point, if that makes sense. I’m trying to visualize it from your front door. If I’m right, the coral piece would be to your left as you enter from the front door, right? From that vantage point, your black dining table would be visible forward and to the right, I think? And the piano would be ahead, but on the right wall of the music room? Plus there would be just a peek of the green kitchen cabinets visible beginning about where you would enter the music room?
I agree that doing the piano in a dark color would just enhance how little natural light is in the room. But coral, green, and yellow, all basically in the same intensity would, IMO, be a bit of an assault on the senses. You’re about a gazillion times better at this that I am, and of course, it’s your and Matt’s house. But have you considered a less saturated color, maybe a light-ish (not pale) aqua blue for the piano? With maybe even a slight “aging” technique with a wash of a light-ish wood stain? And perhaps something that might coordinate, but not match, the brown handles that will be on your coral piece? (I also think eggplant would look great, but it’s too dark.) Coral, aqua, and green all coordinate but they don’t clash, and I think they’d all look great with the black in the dining room, as well as the black and white in the music room. Just a thought. I know it’ll look great no matter what YOU do, because you’re Kristi, and the end result will be Kristi, through and through. As it should be.
Barring that, I prefer the green over the yellow. But yellow is just not a color I’m particularly drawn to.
Rosie
August 10, 2015 at 5:40 pmI think you should paint the piano after all the other solid, decided decor is finished. You might go with a beautiful shade of mahogany red. Your piece isn’t a smaller console(?) piano that you found in a nursery school . You need to give this more thought! And by that I mean walk away from that piano for a few day s.
Claire
August 10, 2015 at 5:56 pmYellow with white accents would be ideal in my mind. Cheery and light, but not overpowering, and fitting in perfectly with the hand drawn leaves, butterflies and birds wall design..
Something like this:
http://sincerelysarad.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Yellow-Painted-Piano1.jpg
Claudia
August 10, 2015 at 6:08 pmYellow all the way. I think there is enough green going on with the kitchen. And since the room has no windows I am loving the imported sunshine.
Arlene
August 10, 2015 at 6:13 pmI also like yellow #2 , I think it would look bright with the wallpaper and green and the red buffet too Christmas… Also you have all that green in the kitchen and you said you were trying to break out of your safe colors. Blue and green!!
Kristi C
August 10, 2015 at 6:28 pmI think none of the greens are strong enough for your house. And those shades of green are pretty much my favorite colors. Unless you intentionally don’t want this to be an accent piece that pops, but I doubt that. I like #3 the best, although #2 is a close second. #3 just pops a little more, which I think is a good thing.
Cindy
August 10, 2015 at 6:32 pmLove the yellow #2! It’s a MUST! I can’t wait to see it finished…no matter the choice!
Krikit
August 10, 2015 at 6:34 pmPersonally, I LUV the idea of a cheery Yellow … AND … leaving the large piano sides and top paint free and showing that gorgeous Walnut wood!
Phyllis
August 10, 2015 at 7:01 pmI like #4 the best.
Maggie Obst
August 10, 2015 at 7:03 pmWow Kirsti,after reading the above comments. I love the mural that you are going to do. So I would probably leave the piano until the room is completed. The solution running through my visual mind,would be Gloss Black and with the lovely fabric that you will use on the piano stool. But it’s your home and I’m sure you will work it out,as you will be living with it,so happiness personally is your call. Love your Blog and work ethics.
Aharon Saenz
August 10, 2015 at 7:58 pmMy personal opinion is that using green a different shade of green might fight to much with the already distinct green in the kitchen. How about a very matted dark charcoal grey? Or as some have mentioned even a black might be nice, but I think matted might be better than glossy.
Cheryl
August 10, 2015 at 8:08 pmI love the bright yellow, totally makes me smile, how can you beat that?
Amy
August 10, 2015 at 8:47 pmLove your blog! Glossy white or glossy black would be my vote.
Lori
August 10, 2015 at 9:26 pmHere is my thought…paint it black. I LOVE color! But you have a coral buffet and a beautiful green kitchen. I cannot see another green and yellow is not appealing either. I think there will be too much going on…maybe you should put a cushion the bench that pulls all the colors together green from the kitchen, your wallpaper, the piano and the coral.
Donna
August 10, 2015 at 9:28 pmYellow! Oh how I wish my husband would agree to having bright, saturated color in our home.
Jayme
August 10, 2015 at 9:58 pmAs much as I love green……I vote yellow. There is just something about a yellow piano that screams….happiness
Cheryl D.
August 10, 2015 at 11:37 pmI think two tone would be great. Maybe even with stripes.
Chelle Ellis
August 11, 2015 at 12:26 amYellow #2
Bonnie
August 11, 2015 at 6:23 amNeither, it should be gold. Your doors are so beutiful and decorative, the gold will show them off. Maybe blue with gold accents if an entire gold is too much.
You have a lot of green and need to tie the green in with the rest of the house. Blue is in the same family, but dont use the ones your trying. Go for a peacock blue. It would also tie in with your foyer orange furniture but not compete like the yellow or greens your trying.
Its a “music” room so go a little (or lot) Liberace. Its only paint:-)
Lyndall Slaney
August 11, 2015 at 7:45 amSensory overload. Too much going on. Wait until you have more of the room done before making a decision.
Ruth
August 11, 2015 at 7:53 amI know I’m in the minority but I agree with white. I guess I’m old enough to remember all the regret of people painting their furniture yellow or green in the 60’s & 70’s. Remember antiquing? White is so crisp and classic especially for a piano. I know you’ll pick the right one because you’ve got it go in’ on!
Theresa
August 11, 2015 at 8:52 amGlossy yellow and white, but if you don’t want two-toned then yellow gets my vote. I love the inspiration photos. I love all of your greens and blues, but a bright yellow with your inspiration wallpaper would be so fun! I wish I had a yellow and white room in my house.
Lori
August 11, 2015 at 9:18 amWhen I gutted my kitchen 7 years ago, I installed butternut cabinets with a coffee glaze. The cambria countertop is a rich, speckled brown with black, sort of rust, etc., specs. My appliances are black. I LOVE these cabinets, and the oranges, reds, greens compliment. I was so afraid to leave the realm of “normal” and go to the butternut, even though I loved the color. Once I made the decision to go with my heart,I have never regretted the choice and have received many compliments. I have hardwood floors, and the floor also goes together with it all. I think all your colors would go well with that sort of butternut “yellow”, possibly making it richer with a coffee glaze. Just my input 🙂
Gwen
August 11, 2015 at 11:08 amYellow.
Kathy
August 11, 2015 at 1:28 pmYellow for sure- I think using any of the greens will only compete with the green cabinets rather than compliment them. It will stay light, bright and airy like the wallpaper.
TaraRG
August 11, 2015 at 2:15 pmYellow…because it’s a happy color 🙂
cindi
August 11, 2015 at 2:21 pmyellow!
Caroline
August 11, 2015 at 3:08 pmYellow, all the way!
JH
August 11, 2015 at 3:20 pmI like the yellow for contrast. I feel like 1, 2, and 4 are ‘dirty’ looking….so #3 would be my pick.
Angela N
August 11, 2015 at 3:28 pmI think all of those colors are horrible. 🙁 I agree with the others that there is a lot going on in your house. Its going to start looking like a circus with all the bright colors. Black or White would be stunning and much more sophisticated IMO.
Texas Memaw
August 11, 2015 at 4:29 pmKristi, I am so glad you decided to see what the finish looks like on the piano. I can now appreciate it being painted! 🙂 I do, however, agree with the few who suggested painting it black or white, or both! The examples of the two-toned painted pianos was very neat. Can’t wait to see what you do! I know it’ll be great!
Sharon C
August 11, 2015 at 5:09 pmWhile I love the idea of a yellow piano, I think I would wait until the entryway and dining room are completed to see the impact of all the color as you look from your front door and I’d also suggest doing your ‘wallpaper design’ before choosing the final color. My personal thought, with so much color in your dining room/entryway and kitchen, I would opt to do the piano in a glossy black to tie in with the gorgeous doors in your music room and your black dining table and have the piano stool and decor items in your music room in bright colors to compliment your coral buffet, the dining room fabrics etc and your stunning green kitchen.
Annie
August 11, 2015 at 10:05 pmOh definitely yellow! It will be a hit of happy! Either #3 or #4 or go even brighter in shade!
Missy
August 12, 2015 at 8:46 amNo post in two days? I’m having withdrawals!
(And yellow, yellow, yellow!)
Sue
August 13, 2015 at 5:21 pm#3 Yellow
Khadija
August 25, 2015 at 10:00 amDefinitely yellow. #2 or #3 because if you paint it green it will look like an extension of your kitchen cabinets.
The yellow is also much more cheerful for a piano.