Last year while I was on vacation in California, someone dropped this piece of a piano front off at my house. I was sort of stuck because of the color.
So, I mixed up some DIY black chalk paint. I instantly liked it a lot better.
I’ve been needing something for this wall in my kitchen, and I thought this piece might be what I was looking for. When I measured, it seemed like it might work. But to be sure, my friend Stephanie, suggested I use a piece of paper cut to size. I did. I immediately thought it was too small, and Stephanie agreed. However, after leaving it up for a few days, it grew on me.
I decided to hang the piece on my kitchen wall, BUT it has that middle piece that protrudes in the back, and I wasn’t sure it would actually sit right on the wall. So, I hung it on the fence to make sure that it would actually hang right. It did! 
I hung it on the wall, carefully centering it, and placing it where I thought it should be from top to bottom. BAD! It was too high and crooked! I brought in the level, and a piece of thin trim. I installed one screw and used the trim and the level to get the other screw in the right place.
I left it hanging in the kitchen for a week or so, and decided that I would give it a go.
I removed the side panels so I could use mirrors, and I painted it with Miss Mustard Seed’s Tricycle Red Milk paint.
I went to get MMS wax from the basement, and when I came back, this is what I saw. Yep, it is bird poop. If you follow me on facebook, you’ve already seen this preview picture.
I love the way the paint looks after applying the clear wax.
I tested it out to see how I liked it on the fence.
When I went to buy a couple of mirrors, I couldn’t really find what I wanted at a good price, so I opted for this sheet metal. (Union Jack) It comes in 1’x2’. It’s brushed nickel, just like my light fixture, ceiling fan and cabinet pulls. I used my tin snips to cut it.
Of course to hold it in place I reached for my favorite Gorilla Tape!
You can see I taped it around all 4 sides. You can also see those wood pieces that don’t allow the piano front to sit flush against the wall.
Back on the fence for a photo op!
You can get a good feel of the color on the fence. I like the way the detail shows. When it was black, the details were lost.
It’s so hard to get a good picture of it in the kitchen. The kitchen is dark with no lights on, and when I turn the lights on it distorts the color.
I like the shininess of the sheet metal. I will be on the lookout for a small canvas or artwork to sit on the ledge in the middle.
Let’s look at it once more on the fence:
I know this piece could be repurposed for so many more things. For now it’s in my kitchen, but come October, it may be for sale at Glendale!
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Robin leach
Milk paint works as chalkboard. You might have to paint the wax, though.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I'm really happy the way it is now. I rest a chalkboard on the ledge and change it on a whim. Thanks Robin!
gail
Sara McMillan
I love this piece.....and if you are looking at artwork, check out my FB page. Sara Nordt McMillan, Artist. You might find something you like! Or maybe not!! Anyway, I love your creativity and get great ideas from your site! Thanks.
Mary
Interesting piano piece. You could also use the center section as a chalkboard since it already has a tray and cork board on the sides as little bulletin boards. I like it.
Debbie
Love it Gail! I wish I could find something so cool!
Jonel
I would make this a chalkboard in the middle if you have it in the kitchen area by using chalkboard paint.
Susan
I think it is beautiful Gail! I love the red over the black... are the metal inserts magnetic? They would look great with vintage pictures on it too! I love it, no wonder you kept it 🙂
Susan
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Nope, the inserts are not magnetic. I really didn't intend to keep it, but that wall is so big, and I didn't really know what else to put there.
girlfromwva
love the red color and the sheet metal inserts!
Diane Clarke
I love your inventiveness! I get more enjoyment out of making something new from something discarded than I do from starting fresh. (Why is that exactly?!) I am always looking at this site and continually amazed at your ability to envision what could become of the discarded objects. Inspires me : )
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Diane,
I agree with you, but for me it's the challenge of taking something old and making it new. Using all new materials isn't as fun for me. 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment!
gail
MIchele M
I definitely like the red best and the sheet metal goes perfectly with the light shade. Oh, fyi I didn't forget the pictures of the potting bench I want to make from the door. Time slipped by and other priorities needed my attention. There are pictures of the outside work on my house on my blog, if you care to see it in an almost finished state. Hope you had a Merry Christmas.
Christi Grace
Really lovely transformation. I like the use of the sheet metal even better than mirrors, gives it such a nice texture.
Wanda
Love this piece. You will find something nice for center!! My only suggestion is to hang it lower so light not interfering. Sometimes we just go to high?
Stephanie@cre8tive
I love the red on the wall. You still have plenty of room to add stuff above or on the sides if you ever wanted to. Seriously I had no idea it had that decorative pieces on it when it was black. The bird poo is so funny!
Laurel Stephens
Beautiful project, Gail. I love the color and the way the inserts complement your light fixture.
Holly
It turned out great Gail! Love the metal inserts! Great job!
debbiedoos
Nice job Gail! I am loving the color with the dark wax..super transformation.
Pat
Gail! I love it.
I like the metal inserts you said it was nickle finish? Is it magnetic? have you seen the magnetic clips? Like a clip board without the board? You could use those to clip photos or something on the metal while you await Art work!
If you don't find any artwork you like, maybe you could use your stencil or decal words and put something clever in the middle.
This is a unique idea...something I've not seen. Kudos!
Patricia
Toqua's Crafts
Gail, I love it!! I am so glad you took the panels out. I cannot wait to see what you find to put on the music ledge.
🙂
Mindi
It looks great, I like the metal too! And I need to try a dark wax someday, I love the results you got with it!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Mindi- I didn't use dark wax. I guess I confused you. I painted it with black paint, then put the Milk Paint over the black, then applied MMS clear wax. 🙂
Mimi
What a great piece! I absolutely love it and want it 😉 Great re-purpose!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Thanks Mimi! I was lucky to get this piece. 🙂
Catherine
Gail, the red looks fab (and I'm not a big RED fan)!
Wish someone would drop off a piano panel at mY house--just a tiny bit jealous.
*the bird poo was mother-nature's thumbs up~how else could she get your attention!?!
Catherine
Korrie@RedHenHome
What a fun piece! I never would have guessed what it was 😉 Love the red!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Oh Gail, what a great piece for your kitchen! The red is a nice color contrast against the wall. And I really like the metal inserts, they really add to the aged, vintage look!
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
Looks great, I love the colour you achieved. I think it needs some graphic in the middle... not sure what, but it's begging for something!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Julie
I hope to find a small canvas painting to rest on the ledge in the middle. 🙂
I think that will complete the look, or at least I hope so. The color has a little more red than I intended, but it does make me smile when I see it hanging in the kitchen. 🙂
Bliss
That is a nice piece no matter what you do with it. It has charm.
Bliss
Pauline
Very cool! Thanks for posting it! -- Pauline
Terri
Apparently the birds weren't impressed (wink wink) but I think it turned out really cool! Good thinking on taking out the insides and replacing with sheet metal. Just thinking out loud, but I could also see that hanging in a bedroom and using it to hold jewelery...awesome piece to work with!
Celia
I. Love the red and dark wax!!! Whe I see this piece I see it as perfect for chalkboard in the middle and memo boards on the end panels.
Sheila
Lov Lov Lov it!!! Can't wait to find one for myself!!!
Susan
I loveeee that color Gail! You were right to repaint it red, it really shows the details. Is that sheet metal magnetic? Because if it is you could make some magnets and attach a few photos to the metal... I really like it!!!!
Susan
Sue
It looks awesome Gail! Glad you found something for your kitchen wall!
Have a great week,
Sue