Goodbye piano bench… your new home is now in my bedroom closet! LOL! Yup! That’s where it is. I use it as a little shelf to stack shoes on. Somewhat of a downgrade of it’s intended purpose, I guess. I got tired of my piano bench matching my piano. Don’t you just get tired of things being matchy-matchy sometimes? So, I put it in the closet and gave my white Bertoia chair a new home. Then I got a book at the library this week called: “Decorating Junk Market Style” by Sue Whitney & Ki Nassauer. The book had the below left photo in it. I guess it can be used as an inspiration photo for this blog post. I just love the blue metal chair in the inspiration photo – so vintage, old-marrying-new looking. It compliments the baby grand piano so nicely. As done my Bertoia chair, don’t you think?
Harry Bertoia created my wire mesh Bertoia chair in the 1950’s (actually, I’m sure mine is a reproduction, not an original) – it is said to be “one of the most important designs in the history of modern furniture”, a classic mid-20th century-furniture icon. I’ve seen Harry’s Bertoia chair in countless decor books, home magazines, online decor sites, HGTV… I had to have one! Thanks to my beloved craigslist I found mine for $37.50 (it retails for $189!). Pretty crazy deal! I like it’s bright white next to my burgundy baby grand. Adds some needed contrast to that area of the room. It’s rather comfy too. Great to lean back on when I’m lazily playing the piano. The piano bench would never let me lean back. That’s actually not how the piano is traditionally meant to be played – with a sloppy sitting player, I mean. But, at the end of a long day when I just want to play a little to unwind & relax, a little leaning back in my Bertoia chair is a beautiful thing!
I think it looks great! Now I want to see if my library carries that book…
P.S. I left a little award for you on my blog, so come on by.
Amy
Wow, you have a gorgeous piano. And nothing wrong with not using a piano bench. Piano bench’s are boring.
Cute pairing! I am sure your piano does not miss it’s bench.
I love chairs with back, principally ’cause in some of my architecture classes we just have hard chair without back, worse than piano bench. my column thanks!
I get the wanting to sit back and play piano, I think kids would enjoy piano lessons so much more if they could sit back (who am I kidding)
I guess I tend to be more matchy matchy, well just a little off, we have an upright piano that is nearly 100 years old and the bench is a youngster maybe only 75
Have a great weekend, T.
LOL!
One thing I hated when I used to play the piano was not being able to lean back comfortably – so this idea is great!
Thanks
I don’t get to play that often with a hubby, 2 kids, blog, Etsy shop, cooking, cleaning… you get the idea! I don’t want to forget how to play ever… I think that will be sad & I’d miss it too much. Your “I used to play piano…” made me say all this!
I don’t play the piano but I’ve never liked stools, benches, etc without backs. I’m all about comfort! And I actually like the chair with the piano!!
Genius, I say. I’m a professional pianist (when I’m not a mom and wife, haha) and I can’t tell you how much my lower back hurts every week. Something with a back on it instead of a regular bench is just the ticket. Besides, who makes the rules anyway? Do what you want.
You’re right, the white chair contrasts beautifully with the dark piano. I think it looks even better than your inspiration photo, actually!
Great idea, a chair with a back beats any old bench, plus the seat has to be more forgiving on your spine.