This post was sponsored by KILZ® Paint & Primer as part of an Ambassador program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in our post are our own.
I’ve always wanted to play the piano.
When I was little, I would sit at my cousin’s old upright on their farmhouse in Georgia, and play away all by myself for hours. {I was probably inspired there in more ways than one} I would master small notes like Heart and Soul and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I was good, I tell you. A prodigy in the making. I’ve always enjoyed figuring out songs, playing by ear. But I can’t even read music.
::hangs head in shame:: First world probs.
I never had formal lessons, and looking back now really wish I’d learned. Which brings me back to, I’ve always wanted a piano. I want all of my children to take lessons. I read an article that said it helps with things like math. And learning skills. I secretly may be learning a few things myself.
I’ve been on the search for a piano for a while. For the perfect educational piano for our home. At first, I thought I wanted an old upright, but then I realized that a good piano that plays well and is also antique with just the right shape, is almost impossible to find without paying thousands. And it was more important to us, to have one that played well as a good learning piece, than an empty sarcophagus that sat there just for looks. Also, the antique ones are heavy and the list goes on and on and on… cons were stacking up against the pros, and quickly.
So when a good friend of ours told us he was selling his, and we knew it was in great condition {he’s used it to record some of his albums} we really did jump at the chance. One piano delivery later, and here we are. Exactly what we needed.
The smiles and sweet random off beat sounds of a soft piano, just keep coming. They make me happy. I think it’s added a whole new atmosphere to our house… which I think already has a good thing going, if I do say so myself.
When we remodeled the house, I knew a piano was going riiiiigggghhhhhht here. And it’s really the perfect fit. The egg painting… not so much. But the way their faces light up, are adorable, and they haven’t stopped playing on it since it arrived. I, on the other hand, am now on a mission to give Murphy a makeover. And the perfect styling for this space with lots of fresh personality. Yes, please.
If you’ve been reading for a while, you know we name things around here. See: Bruce the pool shark… and our entire store of fun finds under our studio. Murphy is affectionately named for our friends who sold us said piano. And here we are. We’re ready to give Murphy, the perfect little vintage upright piano, a great makeover.
So we all headed over to our local Walmart and started perusing the paint samples. I mean, why not add another level of crazy with the kids in tow?
We went straight to the KILZ® Complete Coat™ Paint section. When it comes to painting furniture {and one that we really can’t mess up on} we want to do it right. We love that this has the name we trust, especially when it comes to all things primer. It’s our forever go-to when a heavy application is needed over anything stained or manufactured wood. We were thrilled with the color selections, too. {And bonus it’s an exterior and interior paint in one, so one can to different projects same can.}
Emerson chose bright yellow. But in the end, we started leaning towards a nice classic grey-blue. (Estuary and Blue Juniper) We wanted just enough for a bit of a personality that also still blended well in our home.
So here we go. We can’t wait to liven up this little corner of the great room, for hours of learning and fun on our new addition.
Paint samples are just so exciting!
Stay tuned to see what we come up with… we can’t wait to share the entire process, and the final look for good ole Murphy!
Karen Mary says
So happy for you that you got a piano for your family! Such a great investment. I always wanted to play, too, but never did growing up. We did provide lessons for our four kids. Now that they’re grown, I’m teaching myself to play on that same piano — which I’ve painted a lovely blue. I’m so happy with it and am thoroughly enjoying learning to play — though I sound like a 4 year old when practicing! Looking forward to seeing your redo!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I’m so glad I’m not the only grown lady who will be playing on the piano, too! haha! Rock on with your bad self- wonder twins unite! ;}
Melody Carr says
Seriously just added an older piano to our home and can’t decide what color to paint it!!! Also, do I do chalk paint technique bc its easy, or buy a sprayer and try a legit paint job?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! We say neither! We have an entire post coming up about this, but we literally used Kilz and it was fantastic. I’ve painted a piano with chalk paint and it was a terrible experience. No coverage, scratched easily, and required about ten coats because the stain kept bleeding through. And a sprayer for something so heavy is just also too much work, when you can just roll it out from the wall and paint like we did. We used a roller and it was glorious coverage with Kilz. I can’t sing its praises enough. Again, we have this one coming up but I hope it helps in the meantime- stay tuned!