Preparing for Controversy

I have a big decision to make, and I know that people will have very different opinions on the matter.  So here goes:

This came home to live at our house today

I am so excited I could just spit. (I have really just wanted to say that for a long time, because I’m really not sure what spitting has to do with being excited… maybe that’s another discussion to be had.) I haven’t had a piano since I got married and left behind my mom’s piano – even though I begged her to let me take it since I’m the only one who really plays the piano in the family. Then a while ago my aunt asked me if I wanted to buy hers for a great steal, since it’s just been in storage for years and nobody is using it. “Well yes,” I said, trying to contain my excitement, “Yes I do indeed.” {This is the same aunt I got David Bowie and Sue Sylvester from.}

But here’s the downside – of course there had to be a downside – see the bench? Well the top of the piano and the key cover look like that too (truth be told, something was spilled on the key cover and it looks worse). But all in all, for a piano that has been in storage for years, it’s not too bad.

Now the controversy – here’s what I want to do with it:

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or

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or

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maybe

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ok, not that last one. But quite possibly…

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See what I mean? I’m pretty sure my mother-in-law would faint if I painted a piano (especially if I painted it red). Maybe not? She’s the first person I thought of when I started thinking this thought. But there are plenty of people out there who would throw themselves in front of any natural wood to prevent paint from touching it. I’m not one of those people. Sure, I most likely wouldn’t paint it if the wood looked great already, but it doesn’t. However, the guts of the piano are in excellent condition. I want it to look as good as it will sound after I’ve had it tuned a few times (been in storage for years, remember?)

On that note {yes, pun intended} does anyone know a good piano tuner in my area? And I’d love to hear your votes on piano painting. I have more examples over on pinterest.