Any piano owners? And another decorating question...

[smilequeen]

OK, you were very helpful with my living room questions and we got a picture for above our fireplace, ordered some mirrors for the opposite wall, and ordered some curtains for color :) And we decided we want to get a piano :) (I play and I want the kids to play...)

We want a baby grand...they look so great and we have the perfect space for it :) (in fact, you can still see where the previous owners had theirs by the pressure marks on the carpet :)). Does anyone have any suggestions for the best piano brand for the best price? (my husband is shell shocked by the prices of these things)

And the new decorating question...our bedroom is low on the old priority list in the new house, BUT we have windows all over this place with transoms (that is what they are called right? They let in a ton of light, which is nice, but not first thing in the morning. The baby will be sleeping in with us for a while anyway, so we want to darken it up in those early mornings....so we are thinking curtains/valences/something...I have one picture of what the windows look like...there is one big window and one that is the same style but has a french door on one side to our deck...What would you do with the windows to solve the light issue?

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL17/579020/895336/63720182.jpg

[mudder17]

Okay, can't help you with the curtain question. However, I do have some suggestions about pianos. Kawaii's are probably the cheapest of the baby grands for a decent sound. Baldwins are also pretty good, but probably a little more expensive. Yamaha's are usually better in sound quality, but they're usually more expensive than either of the two. And obviously, Steinway's are at the top of the list, IMO! :) We wouldn't consider the Steinways, except we happen to sort of inheriting one--a beautiful cherry wood one from the 1920's.

I would suggest going to at least a couple of piano stores (stores that sell only pianos) and talking to someone who's really knowledgeable about the pianos. Then I would try some of each of the brands and check them for sound and touch that you like, but which are also in your price range.

HTH some!

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[cinrein]

For the curtains I would probably get some drapes that block light and hang them on a decorative rod above the transoms. When you want it dark, you can just pull them shut and cover up the whole window. If you want a little light, you can leave them open and adjust your blinds.

No idea on the piano. We have an old player piano that belonged to DH's grandmother. I'm so excited to have it and hope Anna wants to learn to play. :)

Cindy and Anna February 2003

[barbarhow]

I don't know where you live but once a year Alice Tully Hall at Linconln Center in NYC has a major sale on their pianos. A couple of years ago I got one of their announcements about the sale and at the time it seemed like a really great deal and I have kept them in mind for the future when I might be able to both afford and find enough room for one. I bet someone on the boards either knows more info on this or can steer you towards somewhere near you. HTH.

[KBecks]

You could do either full curtains, or just valances that block the transoms. I'm not really good with curtains though.

For pianos, you may be able to get a good deal from a local college or university music department. The school I went to gets new pianos every year, and then sells them gently used at the end of the school season.

The baby grands are all black, so if you wanted a special wood finish, it probably wouldn't work.

Anyway, call a local college's music department and see if they have a similar program if it might work for you.

KBecks

[Sarah1]

For the piano--you can save $$ by buying a piano off the store's floor. I would call some stores and find out if they sell or are planning to sell any of their display pianos. That's what my parents did many, many years ago (theirs is a Baldwin) and you wouldn't believe how much it's gone up in value!

[mudder17]

Good idea about the college/university. I hadn't thought of that. Baby grands are usually black, but I know it is possible to get them in a different wood finish. Still, black baby grands do add a touch of class. :)


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya