pianos and interior design

October 21 2020

Comparing 10 Luxury Pianos To Get Most For Your Money

dev Under The Lid Piano Blog Designer Pianos, designer pianos home, pianos and interior design

The adage of you get what you pay for couldn’t be truer than when purchasing a piano. The difference between mass produced, cheap instruments versus artisan hand-made luxury pianos is as distinct as fast food versus gourmet cuisine.

Auction at Sotheby’s, a gilt-bronze and porcelain mounted tulipwood marquetry handmade French piano. (Marshall B. Coyne collection)

Money isn’t usually the biggest issue when buying a designer, luxury piano. The emphasis, depending on the client, is usually on style, décor and function. Because the piano industry has exploded with new technology, materials and fantastic designers, more and more purchasers are looking for high end, designer pianos.

But let’s face it, most people are not averse to saving a little money and still getting a top quality, luxury instrument. Musika, a piano-lessons website, addresses prices but includes non-luxury brands to give an idea of mass-produced piano prices versus luxury designs. There is always the Piano Buyer website to get pricing on dozens and dozens of manufacturers. But we are sellers of luxury designs and want to compare a few of those.

In a crowded market of quality piano makers, it’s hard to know which luxury pianos are giving you the most for your money. We thought it would be useful to compare the more expensive models to some similar models at lower prices, while staying with top brands and luxury instruments.

The old saw that “Steinway is the Best” has all but disappeared as the general public has learned more and more brand awareness in recent decades. (The Hamburg made Steinways are still considered top pianos, but are no longer distributed to the U.S.) Little known European piano builders who have been absolute leaders in quality since the 17th Century have finally moved into the limelight and are getting the recognition they deserve. In return, these manufacturers have taken courageous leaps in design and performance to appease a growing clientele.

Euro Pianos Naples has many blog articles available on each of the best pianos at the “Under the Lid” blog, but we thought it would be interesting to look at luxury pianos with an eye to price.

Modern Luxury Piano Styles

In contemporary homes, modern designs have become very popular in keeping with the sleek lines and clean colors of the 21st Century architecture. Many of today’s new pianos reflect the forward thinking of the modern look with innovative shapes and materials not used in the past.

FUTURISTIC PIANO SHAPES

The Boganyi Grand by Gergely Boganyi

One of the most expensive grand pianos (apart from the famously expensive Fazioli brand) in a modern, dramatic design would be the Boganyi which carries a price tag of over $225,000. This is no ordinary grand piano. Designed by a Hungarian concert pianist, his Boganyi boasts new performance technology and high-quality materials with carbon fiber automotive elements. There are only three Boganyis that exist to date, and one of them resides at the Aria Hotel in Budapest. This piano is a rare and costly treasure reserved for clients seeking the best.

But there are less expensive luxury pianos which have unique futuristic lines and design. For modernists seeking a bespoke piano with an extraordinary shape, the famous German piano builder, Bluthner, has many options.

The PH Grand by Bluthner

At about $170,000, Bluthner offers an iconic grand piano designed by Danish designer Paul Henningsen. This exquisite piano was actually created in 1931 and was the first model to depart from the traditional piano shape and carries the renowned Bluthner performance quality in a unique designer case.

Bluthner PH grand piano

ACRYLIC LUXURY PIANO DRAMA

As the crystalline quality of acrylic materials improved over the years, furniture makers developed modern pieces using Lucite and Plexiglas to make beautiful home furnishings—everything from tables and chairs to bedroom headboards and lamps. As quality acrylic that would never yellow was produced, a few forward-thinking piano makers decided to incorporate it into piano designs for the modern minded customers. It turned out to be a successful venture and luxury acrylic pianos are now in demand. Bluthner leads the industry with the most extensive array of acrylic models.

The Lucid Grand by Bluthner

The fully transparent Lucid Grand is an extraordinary focus piece in any room.

Bluthner Lucid iDyllic Excellence Rose Gold

There are several gorgeous Bluthner models to choose from ranging from $150,000 to over $300,000. And most can be customized with colors, LED lights, and a whole range of graphics, bells and whistles.

Euro Pianos Naples was approached time and again for a crystal piano model that was more affordable than the Bluthners. There was no other quality acrylic piano available. At this point, EPN decided to design and manufacture our own baby grand that is semi-transparent and has a $50,000 price tag to make it available to our budget conscious customers.

The Aire™ Baby Grand by Euro Pianos Naples

Aire™ acrylic baby grand piano

Traditional Luxury Piano Styles

Traditionalists are often unmoved by all the new designs and revere the shape and sounds of traditional pianos. Such instruments provide historical and soothing influences for those who treasure the classics, yesteryear and the pure beauty of the original piano silhouette.

THE LITTLE BLACK PIANO

Just as every woman knows she needs a little black dress; the traditionalist often seeks a little black piano. Polished ebony is easy on the eye.

Steingraeber & Sohne Baby Grand

One of the best kept secrets in the industry is the extraordinary excellence of the German piano maker, Steingraeber & Sohne. When it comes to tradition, since the 1820’s, their instruments have been making the finest music. Their A-170 is five feet seven inches of baby grand grandeur with a price range of $112,000 to $142,000. Their eight -foot grand is over $250,000.

Mason & Hamlin Model B Baby Grand

A more affordable little black baby grand can be had from an American piano builder, Mason & Hamlin, dating back to Boston, 1881. By 1910, they were considered Steinway’s chief competition. Work has continued over the decades on core designs, and the company emphasizes limited-quantity, hand-built production. The Model B baby grand can be purchased for a little over $75,000 to $80,000 depending on finishes.

NON-HECTIC & ECLECTIC PIANOS

Traditionalism is more than a preference for established styles and shapes. It’s a mental set the prefers things in their place, uncluttered simplicity and clean lines. Even if a room has eclectic leanings with some surprise colors or textures, it never goes overboard with a piano shaped like a dolphin or a crystal showpiece with LED lights.

Ambiente Grand by Sauter

Renowned for their full, lush singing tone, Sauter pianos have been built in Germany since 1819. The ebony Ambiente Grand is a spectacular example of a traditional piano that would lend itself to the most traditional or eclectic interior design. The seven-foot-seven-inch beauty is approximately $170,000.

Model 190 Classic White Grand by August Förster

Another esteemed German piano maker, August Förster, since 1859 have made a limited output of instruments by artisans using hand labor. If the traditionalist doesn’t necessarily want the ebony case, white is a wonderful choice, especially for the somewhat eclectic tastes. Förster’s classic white grand in the seven-foot-two-inch length runs a little over $100,000, but a classic white in the six-foot-four-inch length (pictured below) is available for $80,500.

Practical Pianos

Sometimes customers have other reasons for buying a new piano. There are many reasons, including lessons for the children, practice piano for the professional, entertainment center for guests, an investment, an art treasure, or needing something smaller or larger for a new space. We thought we’d address a couple of these issues here.

UPRIGHT LUXURY PIANOS

When there simply isn’t enough space for a grand piano, there is a delightful solution because today’s upright pianos are as exciting and beautifully designed as their larger cousins. Uprights have always been popular because they are smaller and less expensive than grand pianos. In the old days only the affluent had grand pianos. Upright pianos brought the middle classes Baldwins and Wurlitzers, and later Yamahas, and the rest is history. For kids’ lessons, for a small music room, for an apartment with floor limitations, the Vertical piano excels.

It’s only been recently that the style and quality of upright pianos have undergone major changes, and today’s new models are as exciting as the revolution of grand pianos. In the uber luxury category, Sauter makes some of the most elegant uprights on the planet. But the good news is that the best affordable luxury verticals are also made by Sauter. Most of them, regardless of price, were designed by renowned Peter Maly, you can’t go wrong with a Sauter upright.

Sauter model Artes upright piano

The beautiful art deco Artes upright is available in polished macassar ebony or white, and runs $53,500 in the high-end price. Each piece is signed by Peter Maly and comes with a matching bench. The famous Sauter grand singing sound is also duplicated in their vertical pianos.

The Concent runs $32,000 and is a beautiful Maly design with winged top.

Sauter Concent Upright Piano

Euro Pianos Naples designed our own upright because of the demand for Mid Century Modern design in a piano. Unable to find a piano builder who could provide such an instrument, we just built our own, calling the Echo™ ™. The price tag on this little treasure is under $15,000.

PLAYER PIANO SYSTEMS

People are usually surprised when we tell them how many pianos we sell to clients who do not play piano at all. Pianos have become art treasures, living room furniture, symbols of culture, and things of beauty – with their musical capability only a secondary consideration. But in addition, many clients do personal as well as business entertaining at home and require an entertainment center for guests.

Today’s state of the art player piano systems are installed out of sight and operated by an electronic device – an iPad, Alexa, or several other options. Any piano can become a self-playing “performer” with moving keys as the repertoire of thousands of artists from classic to country perform “live” in your living room.

Our “Under the Lid” blog has several articles regarding player systems, for example Pianodisc versus Pnomation brands and others.

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

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October 21 2020

How To Decorate Around A Grand Piano

dev Under The Lid Piano Blog Designer Pianos, designer pianos home, pianos and interior design

Maybe we could entertain thoughts of a new way to how to decorate around a piano.

The usual chain of events is to try to fit a new piano into an existing space, a living room or music room already in use. This takes some planning and ingenuity of its own. Where Should We Put the Piano in the House? But what about the idea of decorating around a piano?

Buying a new designer piano is an investment and takes considerable thought. The homeowner wants an instrument that can serve a particular purpose–be it for practice, performance, or as an entertainment center. Perhaps all of that and more.

The decor imagination can soar if you consider a piano with the styling of the Bluthner PH. A grand piano is a large piece of furniture and a large addition to the family. But in some happy instances, the homeowner may be in a position to change the décor altogether. When building a new home, a piano can be worked right into the floor plans at the stage of the architect’s planning. Perhaps you are designing a piano room or in the living area, designing around a piano. Or if you are moving into an empty home, the planning can be similar—putting the piano as the focal point in the room before planning the rest of the furniture.

It could be a choice of doing a remodeling facelift to welcome the new piano and upgrade the beauty of the room. You can redecorate around the piano.

Photo: Courtesy of Estate Media Australia

The designer’s secret weapon – The Focal Point

Interior decorators and designers know the secrets of making a room spectacular. One of their first principles is the simple matter of finding a focal point in a room. Very often this can be part of the architecture, like a fireplace or a pillar, a glass wall or a beamed ceiling.

Coral Nafie, author and expert on interior design has an article on The Spruce website about focal points.

A focal point can dictate many of the other design choices in the space. A beautiful designer piano can be the perfect focal point for a room.

Today’s revolution in piano designs has created a marketplace of the most diverse and extraordinary pianos of all time. Modern materials like acrylic, fiberglass, carbon fiber with the addition of customizable colors, graphics, and personalized mementos all lend themselves to the most visual and beautiful pieces of furniture one could want.

So, this approach is to first buy it, then decorate around a piano of your dreams.

The Seven Elements to Decorate Around A Piano

Size

The piano itself dictates a certain amount of space in the room. Grand pianos are anywhere from 5-ft to 10 ft. long, and the larger the piano, the larger the sound. Besides size, there is a huge range of styles available, everything from futuristic and modern to the uber traditional, with many eclectics mixes in-between. A small living room would not accommodate a ten-foot grand piano, so the first consideration is having a balance between the size of the piano and the size of the room. Upright pianos, now available in designer styles, are perfect for smaller rooms. We have written an article on how to fit a small piano into a small home.

We would advise on measuring the living area and shopping for a piano based on a reasonable size to balance the space. In today’s modern structures, very often baby grand pianos (from 4’10’ to 5’ 5”) are the ideal size. But in luxury estates where space is no issue, a full grand piano can be ideal.

Space And Form

Since today’s designer pianos are available in dramatic shapes which are a departure from the old three-legged Steinway, some thought should be given to the artistic value and “showcase” value of the instrument. Not only a focal point but a prized treasure that is the shining heart of the home. This Boganyi is a perfect example of splendor extraordinaire in the home.

Designing Around the Focal Point – the Piano

Every room should have one (and only one) focal point. When one enters a room, the focal point is the first place that the eye lands. With a beautiful piano as your focal point, there are little tricks to making the instrument the ‘star’ of the room. Its size and shape are a pretty good start anyway, but you always want to draw the eye to the piano by adding extra design elements to enhance it. This could be a textile in a vibrant pattern on the bench; if the piano sits next to a wall, a grouping of eye-catching pictures on the wall would grab the eye. Every focal point should have its own lighting source, and a special light treatment on a piano can make it truly stand out, whether it’s recessed ceiling lights, a dramatic arc floor lamp or even a small chandelier, the options are many.

How to Choose the Rest of the Furniture

When you decorate around a piano, you must plan how to fill the space of your room, and there are a set number of things to consider:

Style

Most of us think we just lean one way or another. We are traditionalists or we are drawn to a modern style. But have you really considered all the styles there are?

Consider these, as delightfully outlined and pictured in House and Garden.

Art Deco
Arts & Craft
Asian
Bohemian
Coastal
Contemporary
Country
Eclectic
French Country
Industrial
Mediterranean
Mid Century Modern
Modern
Moroccan
Scandinavian
Shabby Chic
Southwestern
Traditional
Transitional
Tropical

Chances are the piano of your dreams lends itself perfectly to one or more of these motifs.

Function and Placement

When choosing furniture for your space, it helps to have an idea of what activities this room will be used for. Is it primarily for music and entertaining? Is it a welcome space for cozying into a reading chair or dozing on a sofa? Is it a lavish show room for guests and business? Your furniture will reflect your style but also your functions in the room. You will also want to consider placement in a way that supports your focal point. If the piano is the star of the room, the rest of the furniture should be supporting actors and positioned accordingly.

It helps to have a paper floor plan (like an architect’s blueprints) where ‘to scale’ pieces can be moved around until the ideal layout is achieved. As you search for the proper furnishings, keep the balanced plan of space and form in your sites, and expressly measure pieces to mock up for your design. Here’s a handy website with examples of how you might proceed with layout plans.

Omit Clutter

One of the most common mistakes made in interiors is having too much in a room. All those things you love and must have need to be seriously considered. (why not the bedroom, or the bath, or the family room?) More than one collection of anything in the same room, unless you have an estate with a football sized floor plan, is one too many.

Use Different Brands

If you fall in love with one furniture collection, and buy all the matchy-matchy pieces, chances are your living room will look like a showroom for than manufacturer rather than having you own individual stamp on things. Shop! Look at photos! Do the work and your living room will be a treasure.

Avoid Amateur Errors

Pictures hung too high. Throw rugs too small. (they should fit under the feet of all the furniture facing them). Trendy colors that will be outdated soon. (remember the avocado kitchen appliances and the bathroom fixtures of the 1960’s?) Stick to replaceable pillow covers and throws for that fuchsia you must have Now!

Decorating the Top of A Piano

Some people ask how to decorate a grand piano top in the living room. If the piano is used mainly as an entertainment center with the hidden player piano system, (thus the lid is not needed to be raised) the piano top can be treated as a showcase for a piece of art, a vase of fresh flowers or a beautiful lamp. But more often a lifted lid creates the elegant silhouette that a grand piano offers to a room, and it seems a shame to mar it. How to decorate a piano for Christmas falls under the same guidelines. One classic Christmas figurine atop the instrument might be charming, but don’t be tempted to string popcorn around the lid or hang stockings from it!

Do Add Odd and Unique Pieces

Don’t be afraid to use that heirloom clock, that old fashioned candy dish or Tiffany lampshade in your uber modern digs. A little personalized eclectic touch can bring a room to life.

Make Sure You Like It!

If you do it yourself or pay a decorator to do it, when the project is complete, make sure it’s a living room that gives you comfort and pleasure. It’s a place for living, not just for showing. But let’s move on to the rest of the elements.

Color

Color is one of the most exciting elements of design. Designers frequently use a soft palette of two or three colors. By using muted, natural colors in your walls, flooring and seating, your accessories and focal point can be a dynamic and bright medley of colors. Or one pop of color like red!

Imagine this fire engine red piano in a muted room such as this Kerimoglu House:

Ozhanhazilar.com Interior Architecture – (Istanbul Interior Design Project 2015)

Black and white is another combination that is easy to live with, and easy to brighten up with accessories. A white piano could be the perfect complement to this kind of low-key color choice.

Bluthner Lucid Hive Elegance grand piano

Picture a white piano in the beautiful black and white room put together below:

A nice article on basic color theory can be found at Fresh Home.

Texture and Pattern

For our purposes, we like to combine these two elements and they often go hand in hand. Often-overlooked designer elements, the huge choice of textures and patterns in all kinds of textiles, woods, wall treatments, and the thoughtful mix of them can create amazing results. No matter what the decorating budget, texture and pattern can add flair and individualism to any room, without taking attention away from the focal point of the room, your beautiful piano.

The room above might be designed around a black Euro Pianos AIRE™ baby grand.

Line

This element of design is perhaps the most elusive. It takes a trained eye to actually pre-plan line. Low, close to the floor furniture will carry the eye horizontally. Tall windows and bookcases will lead the eye to vertical lines. The desired effect of a room can be controlled by line, including diagonals, zigzags, and curves. Most designers are looking for balance in line, but it’s an element that should be studied. When you decorate around a piano, it opens up many choices. An article in Ace Interior Design in Britain addresses the possibilities: Intro to Line Interior Design.

Light

In our opinion, we saved the best for last. Lighting can make or break a beautiful room. Light obviously has a functional purpose (like the ability to read off the music stand of the piano!) This is called task lighting and can be done in many ways such as a gooseneck lamp or a floor lamp et al. The living room can be broken down into its uses, such as the reading chair, the entertainment center, the piano illumination. and the ideal light fixtures should be carefully considered for each use.

But beyond function, light is the best way to complement a room with mood and atmosphere. It also can be designed to ‘show off’ your piano, and punch up your accessories, color and textures.

Light fixtures can be works of art themselves, and should warrant high esteem in your decorating scheme.

Euro Piano Naples is available for free consultation on your dream piano, your dream interior designer, as well as answering any questions you might have about customization, player piano systems, and any other. We are pleased to be of service.

For more decorating/designing ideas, see more of our “Under the Lid” blog articles:

https://www.europianosnaples.com/interior-design-ideas-with-pianos/

https://www.europianosnaples.com/decorating-a-room-with-a-piano-in-mind/

About Euro Pianos Naples

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October 19 2020

How To Choose A Piano For The Living Room

dev Under The Lid Piano Blog Designer Pianos, designer pianos home, pianos and interior design

There are many different vantage points for the project of choosing the right piano for your living room.The interior designer and the client have both got their own ideas, and the piano itself has its own requirements. We wanted to touch on the points that might be helpful and considered before buying.

Some clients are building a home, starting from scratch, which gives them a much wider spectrum of choices. As an example, luxury home designer Flora Di Menna, plans down to the minutest detail whether it’s a palatial estate, a summer residence or even a commercial project. Her award winning luxury residences can accommodate whatever the client wants and needs with the most sublime results. This video is an entertaining look at one of her fabulous projects and how such planning can accomplish amazing beauty wedded to function.

But other people with already finished homes simply want to add a piano to the room. What do they need to know?

How To Choose A Piano For Your Living Room

So, focusing on an existing room, whether furnished or not, here are some of the points to consider.

It is no secret that the most beautiful luxury homes in the world are usually the result of extraordinary interior design. The art of making a room sumptuous and appealing must take the comfort and livability of its occupants into consideration. Truly exclusive homes manage to provide unique but comfortable seating, fabulous art and in the most elegant of homes, a designer piano. Even without pianists in the family, today’s pianos can incorporate state of the art player piano systems that turn any room into an entertainment center with highest quality musical output.

Pianos have undergone a revolution in recent years. The old brown Steinway upright is no longer the standard for even the most modest and budget conscious home. The industry has exploded with artistic and customizable instruments to beautify any style of design from the traditional to the uber futuristic.

Size Matters In Interiors

The Iconic Grand Piano

Grand pianos as well as uprights are available now in a myriad of different shapes, colors, and sizes. Even LED lights and crystal acrylic can be added for drama.

So what piano is right for your living room?

Most obviously, the larger the piano, the larger the sound–so it wouldn’t be advisable to put a 9-foot concert grand (whose volume can reach the balcony of a concert hall) into a small living room. But apart from that, what size should be purchased and why?

The first thing to consider, of course, is space. You need enough floor space for the instrument plus two feet more for a bench or stool. Since grand pianos range anywhere from just under 5-feet all the way up to 10-feet in length (with a fairly standard 5-foot width), some serious thought must go into the floor plan of the furniture and maximizing the effect of a piano as part of the décor. With a large room, often other focal points (like a fireplace) may dictate some of the layouts.

However, if space is an issue, sometimes a baby grand piano can be accommodated in a living room just by downsizing the seating pieces or by decluttering the amount of other furniture in the space. For more information on baby grand dimensions and how to fit a small piano in your home.

The New Upright Space Saver

When the floor space is simply not available, thankfully there are extraordinary upright designer pianos that can easily fit into an alcove, or against a wall in a living room, that have as much elegance and design quality as the grands.

Even the most glamorous acrylic materials are now used in uprights, like Lucid’s acrylic upright below.

For some of the most stylish uprights on the market, consider Sauter’s Peter Maly designs.

Style Matters

The surprising new designs of piano manufacturers have transformed the look of pianos. Whereas they were often either the high-end glossy black grand pianos for the concert stage or the mass-produced brown uprights for the middle-class parlor, with an eye to lessons for the kids, with today’s piano designs, the sky’s the limit.

Euro Pianos Naples has pianos made from acrylic, fiberglass, exotic woods, with inlays of jewels and mother of pearl, and customized with colors of every hue, graphic designs, replicas or original fine art (on the inside of lids), gilded, perched on pedestals, and shaped like space ships, race cars and dolphins in flight. The quality of sound also continues to improve with innovative technology as the piano cases have come into their own – no longer just a functional musical box with three legs, but pieces of visual art and incredible decorative assets—sometimes with no legs at all!

The futuristic and urban styled home might want to feature the uber-modern pianos available. Pegasus is only one of many superlative new shapes.

How To Choose A Piano For The Living Room

This fantastic 10-ft grand might be just what’s needed in the lavish estate that features Italian modern décor or rococo antiques. Pianos with this kind of extraordinary styling can serve as the focal point of a significant living room or foyer, making an unforgettable impact on visitors.

A Traditional décor might call for a traditionally styled piano – and there are exquisite instruments available. The detailed styling creates a 21st Century version of yesteryear’s proud tradition.

Piano Quality Matters

While the size and styling of the piano are the business of the interior designer’s eye, the quality of a piano ensures the client of its lasting and true value.

It is true that you can find used pianos and keyboards for very little money. But the old adage of getting what you pay for was never truer than with pianos. When you consider the thousands of parts assembled under the lid, it is not hard to imagine how things can go wrong with cheap labor and cheap materials. The important parts of the piano are explained in this article, How A Grand Piano Works.

The materials used in bespoke pianos are of the highest quality. The woods are chosen carefully, the acrylics won’t yellow, the warranties are honored. Handcrafted pianos have time honored reputations that go back through the centuries in the hands of the European piano builders who still excel today.

Steinway has been popularly considered the best piano for decades by hearsay. While Steinway originated in Europe along with all the other major quality brands, most people don’t know that Steinway, in the USA, went to mass-produced pianos right after the war, and flooded the market with affordable instruments. Today, used piano stores overflow with those old Steinways. Often buyers cannot see damages from moving and poor maintenance problems, hidden under misleading prices. This Washington Post article reflects on brands of quality.

Euro Pianos Naples has done extensive research on piano quality and you can find blog articles comparing, rating and explaining the whys and wherefores of buying quality. The 10 Best Piano Brands in the World.

Function Matters

You would be surprised by all the different reasons people buy pianos for their homes.

Obviously, if there is a pianist in the family, a piano is paramount for practice and pleasure. But you don’t need to be a musician to enjoy a beautiful piano in the living room.

Some people have children who are just learning to play and need to practice their lessons.

Today’s pianos can be art treasures and breathtaking pieces of furniture. Pianos are placed in some living rooms just to complete the luxury interior design look of the fine art and musical aesthetic.

By adding a state-of-the-art player piano system, hidden beneath the instrument, and operated with an iPad, an iPhone, or electronic gizmo, your house can be filled with music at the click of a switch. These amazing high tech players come with libraries of music by the top performers in classical, jazz, country, and pop. Something for everyone. For guests, parties, entertaining, the piano plays itself with superlative sound quality. Check out our blogs on this optional equipment for all the particulars.

These are four main reasons that matter when selecting a piano for your living room. Euro Pianos Naples is an expert in luxury and customized pianos. A free consultation is available for all your questions and any help you might need. We would be honored to serve you. Contact us for a free consultation.

About Euro Pianos Naples

September 15 2020

5 Top Reasons for Buying a New Luxury Baby Grand Piano

dev Under The Lid Piano Blog baby grand, Designer Pianos, designer pianos home, pianos and interior design

New Or Used?

Sauter Model Ambiente grand piano — New Ambiente Baby Grand by Sauter

Pianos are purchased for many different reasons: childrens’ lessons; at-home practice; the décor of a luxury home; an entertainment center for family and guests; an instrument for a public venue—and more.

Whatever the reason, the first decision is whether to buy a new piano or a used piano.

There are people who never buy new cars, new houses, or even new clothes, just as a philosophy of life. They have accepted that buying ‘used’ invites the risk, of possibly taking on someone’s else’s problems. This article lays out the upside of paying more but reducing risk by buying a piano that is new.

The biggest downside of buying a used piano is that the piano may not have been regularly or properly maintained (how can you know?) with the instrument irreparably damaged by climate or neglect. An old, dull sounding piano unable to hold a tuning could be presented as valuable antique simply because it has an interesting case. Unless you have a technician to assess such instruments, you could be wasting your money.

Used No-Brand ‘Antique’ baby grand

A grand piano has over 10,000 moving parts, and like an automobile, the quality and maintenance of those parts is paramount. If people knew how many old pianos ended up in junk shops and in landfills, they would be very cautious indeed. And many that just “look” good (but are not) sit on the floor of your local piano shop.

A case in point is that once Steinway began mass-producing pianos, the used Steinway market was so flooded that they opened their own Used Steinway Piano stores, thus becoming the biggest competition against themselves. This is one example of the many dedicated used Steinway outlets: https://www.jacobsmusic.com/pianos/used-pianos-main/used-steinways

Luxury or Economy?

One might think that a luxury piano is only for the uber rich or for celebrities. But in truth, the very term “luxury” connotes far more than the price tag.

First of all, there are many price ranges within the luxury designation. Depending on the customization, brand names, the quality of the woods, hardware, strings, etc. used within and without, a new luxury piano can start under $50,000 and go as high as a $million. Rare, exotic woods, famous designers, innovative piano pedals, keys, actions and state of the art modern materials (like non yellowing acrylic) all contribute to higher value and prices.

Affordable semi-transparent “Aire” baby grand by Euro Pianos Naples

Pianos handcrafted in Europe by centuries’ old brand piano builders will have unmatched quality. If the prices are too high, you don’t have to jump to inferior brands however. The same builders sometime carry ‘economy’ lines and other builders using a mix of machine tooling combined with hand labor artisans plus excellent materials can compete as luxury instruments.

But pricing is only one piece of the deliberation puzzle. There are many other things to consider. Here are our top five reasons for buying a new luxury baby grand piano.

Action /Performance Quality

The performance quality of a piano can be attributed to the piano builder’s attention to highly technical details when installing and setting the action of the instrument. This assembly of moving parts is known as the geometry of the action, and involves intricate settings of keys, hammers, dampers, strings, repetition levers and springs.

See “How Does a Piano Action Work?”

As the action parts move, these materials can slightly lose position over time/use and need to be brought back to their original by regular tunings. The tuner’s job in maintaining an action includes reducing any unwarranted friction/slippage by cleaning, balancing, regulating, and lubricating parts to keep things tip top. You can understand that a poorly constructed, cheap piano will not have the same geometry as a luxury piano. Not only will the parts be inferior, but the delicate balance in sound quality can be attributed to experienced knowledge and an artisan’s ear which is often missing in mass produced product manufacture.

5 Top Reasons for Buying a New Luxury Baby Grand Piano

Stress Free Maintenance

A good piano will hold its tuning longer than a bad piano. Some brands are more stable than others, but generally speaking the handmade instruments hold their settings so that annual or semi-annual tunings suffice unless the piano is heavily played.

For more information about tuning, read “What Is Piano Tuning and How Much Does It Cost?”

With inferior pianos, broken strings, out of tune keys, and actual damage (action needing to be repaired/rebuilt) can be expected, which adds costs to the original price.

Warranties and Support

Warranties are pretty standard with most new products, but with used pianos, they are usually sold “as is” without guarantees. In the case of restorations, a shop may offer a short warranty but you might want to read the fine print.

New luxury baby grand pianos come with full warranties, longer and more inclusive, varying by brand. The warranties of some new luxury baby grand pianos are even transferable to new owners, if the piano is sold. Euro Piano Naples offers a free professional tuning after the instrument has had time to “settle” after delivery at the client’s location in addition to its warranty.

But one of the most important things about buying a new luxury baby grand is that knowledgeable sellers of bespoke pianos can guide and direct you through the process. Clients often don’t realize the scope of choices offered by today’s piano industry. Gone are the days of the three-legged “cookie-cutter” silhouette of the brown parlor grand. Today’s luxury baby grands come in colors, materials and designs that could rival the top furniture makers in the world. With customization options, the sky’s the limit—but most clients need support to navigate the brands and options. Free consultation at Euro Pianos Naples is included in the price of their instruments.

Learning To Play With Quality

For beginning piano students, whether child or adult, the quality of the piano is not only important, but it can ‘make or break’ the learning experience –and the eventual success of becoming a pianist. To submit a beginner to a bad instrument is like learning to drive a car without all its parts. The sound, touch and beauty of the piano become part of the beginner’s experience. The quality registers on the student, whether consciously or unconsciously, and poor sound or touch will only discourage practice and interest.

Parents often think that buying an old upright, throwing it into the basement and hiring a teacher is the easy way for kids to learn. If there’s no respect for the piano or for the results produced from it, a child will have little interest in pursuing lessons.

If you search the internet, you will see all kinds of ads and recommendations for digital pianos and inexpensive keyboards as the quick fix for beginners. But don’t be fooled. Various statistics confirm that 80% of students who learn on new quality pianos continue with lessons. Used pianos and cheap keyboards reduce the beginner’s chances to 20% success. So not only does the quality of a new luxury baby grand enhance learning, but it’s also a visual and artistic addition to the home, thus improving the quality of life in many other ways for the whole family.

More reading is available in “Choosing A Piano for Your Child” and “The Multiple Mind-Blowing Benefits of Playing Piano” and “Effects of Music Learning and Piano Practice on Cognitive Function, Mood and Quality of Life in Older Adults”

Asset and Investment

Contrary to popular sales pitches, pianos are not an investment in the real sense of the word. Steinway has multiple lawsuits against them for assuring that the value of their pianos will increase with time, and can be resold with no losses. The truth is they depreciate, like furniture, with time and use.

The upside of buying well made furniture is that the wear and tear on it is minimal compared to cheap goods. This means that a fine piece of furniture can indeed increase in value if it gets to be an antique that is in demand. But the moving parts within a piano are a different matter. They may or may not be properly maintained, so used pianos, even those with antique cases, are always questionable.

New bespoke pianos are an investment and an asset only because they are going to last a lifetime and beyond, and are pieces of music-making art that will enhance the lives of all who live with them. A new luxury baby grand piano may not retain its same monetary value, but it will also not be regarded as disposable used furniture. It will provide unlimited opportunity and pleasure to those lucky enough to own one for generations to come.

Between1946 and 1965, in California, other homes were going up, more than 11,000 of them, all designed by modernists commissioned by builder Joseph Eichler. Eichler, a former dairyman, had been inspired by living briefly in a Frank Lloyd Wright home. (Wright, an architect who had earlier built over 500 iconic modern structures, believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture.) Eichler houses, found throughout Northern and Southern California (and even outside of New York City), are some of the most celebrated tract residences in the United States.

About Euro Pianos Naples

A pink couch and chair in front of a window.

April 12 2020

History of Mid Century Modern Design

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

What Is Mid Century Modern?

There have always been creative people ahead of their time. The roots of modern design can be traced all the way back to primitive cave art. But for the purpose of categorizing eras of design and style, Mid Century Modern as a design category for architecture, furniture, textiles and objects of business and home could be said to span the 1930’s to mid-1960’s. That means that some designers, some artists, some architects had already begun to shape what would become a world-shaking new style in the mid twentieth century before it actually exploded.

The Bauhaus Movement

To be more accurate, however, we must look back to the founding in 1919 of the Bauhaus, a German art school in Weimar, by architect Walter Gropius. The motivations behind the creation of the Bauhaus lay in anxieties about the 19^thCentury’s soullessness of manufacturing and its products, and in fears about art’s loss of purpose in society. Creativity was being lost to commerce, and the Bauhaus aimed to unite them, rejuvenating design in all aspects of everyday life. Such famous artists as Paul Klee, Vasily Kandisky, and Josef Albers and others taught the study of materials, color theory and formal relationships in preparation for students’ specialized studies.

In 1925, the Bauhaus moved to the German industrial town of Dessau, created a department of architecture and launched the most influential period of their work. Gropius designed a new Bauhaus building, which is still known as a landmark of modern, functionalist architecture.

A Swiss architect, Hannes Meyer, head of the architecture department was an active communist, and installed Marxism into the curriculum. Gropius resigned in 1928 amid battles and criticism. Meyer was replaced by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who enhanced the architecture curriculum. Whenthe Nazis came to power in 1930’s, the school was closed.

But during the time that Bauhaus flourished, minimalist design in furniture and textiles defied any previous concepts. In collaboration, metalworkers, artists, architects and designers used cellophane, fiberglass and (acrylic or Plexiglas) plastic, space and physics to transform design.

Many of the key figures of the Bauhaus migrated during the dangerous years of World War II. Several Bauhaus artists were arrested and killed by the Nazis; others fled to exile in America.

The Bauhaus artists found perhaps their greatest success in America, disseminating their ideas and designs. Josef and Anni Albers taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina for 16 years, after escaping Germany. The school was founded in 1933 and liberally based on Bauhaus concepts.

Gropius and Breuer taught at Harvard’s design school, and Moholy-Nagy founded the Chicago Institute of Design.

Ludwig Mies Van De Rohe, the last Bauhaus leader, along with Philip Johnson in 1957, designed the Seagram Building, While the building itself stands as an icon of modernism, the empty space in front of the building was also innovative. An open, urban plaza set the building back from Park Avenue and created a gracious pedestrian space. Often emulated, such plazas have become a cliché, but, at the time, Mies was making a bold statement. He helped make Gropius’s modernist architecture the mainstay of New York City skyscrapers.

Florence Knoll, a former student of Mies, realized that the new skyscraper style demanded modern furniture and interiors to match, so she licensed Bauhaus and other modernist designs for mass-production. Today, Knoll is still one of the only distributors of genuine Bauhaus furniture — their success an indicator of the lasting appeal of Bauhaus design, nine decades later.

Florence Knoll sofa

The International Style

While Bauhaus was a huge influence all over the world, there were other architects and innovators in America, France, Finland and the Netherlands who were not German, and when Bauhaus moved to America, another more inclusive name was born. The Getty Research Institute defined the minimalist, modern style of architecture that dominated until the 1970’s, “The International Style.” It is characterized by the same Bauhaus principles of volume over mass, flat surfaces with areas of glass and a general rejection of ornamental and repetitive modular forms. Most people think of the International Style as another general name for the spare, geometric designs that are now called Mid Century Modern or Bauhaus.

Poul Jensen Z Chairs 1950 Denmark

Why Did Mid Century Modern Come Into Vogue?

The 1950’s were an iconic age. The biggest world war in history had just ended, and Americans who had been living on rations, and war effort shortages were suddenly back to work with disposable income. A newhousing industry sprang up to provide replacements for the boxy pre-war cottages that had been the norm. These craftsmen style homes had “updated” the old Victorian style homes earlier in the century and often featured an inviting front porch, but with the end of the war, another housing style was ushered in.

New subdivisions and affordable housing were the rage, and the “ranch house” emerged as an example of the new wave of design in architecture. The mid-century designranch houses are still being built to this day. As former neighborhoods got gobbled up by developers, and streets crowded with additional lots, the builders’ focus shifted from the former invite-the- neighbors-in porch ambiance in favor of a more private, fenced backyard with a patio. Open brazier grills became a staple, and large paned patio doorsevolved to let nature inside.

To enhance the mid century modern architecture, new plastic materials emerged for flooring, countertops and fixtures, in modern shapes and colors. Inexpensive track housing was made available for “the boys coming home” and while there was a “sameness” to many of the models, they endured as stable, well-built and basic homes.

It stands to reason that innovative interior design and furnishings would follow suit. Middle class, post war Americans were gaga over the latest modern furniture. The new world, the bright future was a big step up from the woes of past economic depressions, rations, and warfare.

If you are old enough to remember the 1950’s, you might recall some of the furniture in your own home, as I do.

Our Formica kitchen dinette set was aqua, with chrome legs. Formica, a material first developed for industrial purposes, was widely used for Mid Century Modern designtabletops, especially dinette and kitchenette sets.

Over the span of the 1950’s and early 1960’s “space-age” materials were being developed and used to make this brave new world truly new. Plastics came into their own, rather than being used as faux (inexpensive) imitation of wood furniture. A lot of non-traditional materials including plywood, Plexiglass, vinyl, and metal changed the look and feel of furniture, as well as opened up the opportunity for wonderful bright colors and choices of contrasts.

Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen 1958

Just like the clean lines of the ranch style houses, furniture took on an understated. minimalist look. Designers began to play with organic and geometric designs, making the eye move with color and contrasting materials. Simplifying for functionality. Since an architect had proclaimed in 1896 that “form follows function”, no furniture before Mid Century Modern decorbetter exemplifies his point. If esthetic beauty should come from the pursuit of functionality, rather than simply for decoration or styling, the innovators of Mid Century Modern interior designsmade it their credo.

The Mid Century Modern furniture designers who emerged on the scene are of the best known and beloved of our time. Such names as Charles and wife, Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Isamu Nogochi, Edward Wormley, Aero Saarinen, Alexander Girard and George Nelson are only a few of the hugely successful and famous game changers of the era.

The Henry Miller lounge chair and ottoman is one of the most quintessential of mid century modern pieces, designed by Charles & Ray Eames. This design is exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Mid Century Modern furniture is beautiful and fits functionally with the lifestyles of most people in the 21^stCentury all over the world. It may have come into fashion because of a world war, but in the confusion and turmoil of modern life, we can’t think of any style better to soothe and sanctify your personal living space.

The style continues to be popular, and the manufacturers continue the style lines, embracing the mid century modern because it has a timelessness to it. The Museum of Modern Art (and many other museums all over the world) pay tribute to it. But practically speaking, the designs just feel fresh, and are hard to improve upon.

Edward Wormley sofa

How To Decorate With Mid Century Modern

Yes, Mid Century Modern is a gorgeous style and most of us would like to have our home reflect some of those sleek, clean lines — but like everything else in this world, there are a few tips to doing it right.

PK22 chair by Poul Kjaerholm 1956

Less is More

Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe used the phrase “less is more” regarding architecture and design, meaning the simplicity of lines and lack of ornamentation. But the concept holds true for Mid Century Modern when it comes to interior design as well. To have a room crammed full of mid century modern décor, be it authentic or replicated pieces would be overkill. Just as one can have too much of a good thing in most aspects of life, it is certainly true in decorating.Balance is the secret.

Elle Decor

To get the proper balance, it helps to study the history of the style, and then to take a slightly eclectic stance when choosing the full modern mix. The idea is not to replicate a 1950’s room, (which might come off dated and copycat), but to use broad strokes to create the feel of mid century modern. By choosing one or two representative pieces, like the sofa or the armchairs, the rest can be filled in with other functioning décor that enhances the room. By studying and understanding the style, you can find other furniture that echoes it, in the way of plain wooden cabinets, cork and teak, metal and plastic tables, Danish, wicker and Shaker pieces. Belike the brave of heart who go truly eclectic and use what works. We would advise against using excessive patterns unless you know how to do it, like below. By keeping the color range similar, the patterns don’t leap out and bite you, but look smashing. We love the subtle echoes in the pieces of this room!

Nate Berkus Interiors

Authentic mid century modern pieces are still available. Indeed, some never stopped being manufactured, but they are usually pricey while excellent replicas are made by many of the top furniture sellers, and budget pieces can be found that are spectacularly well done.

Once you have done enough research to understand the distinguishing features of the style, you will find many other pieces to echo that look, pieces that fit your budget and needs without buying original museum pieces. Don’t be afraid to mix midcentury with pieces from other periods. You may be surprised how well some things blend, with an eye to color, shape and spatial balance.

William Abrandowicz

Another trick to avoid your mid century modern décor from looking too uniform in style is to use furniture and accessories of different heights. Like good art, the idea is to keep the eye moving from place to place, so it works not to have everything at the same level. Lighting (such as the arc lamps) did a very good job of lifting the eye from the low-slung sofas and coffee tables that define the style. Art (large and small) (see the oriental screen in the photo above) can do the same job.

Where can you find a Mid Century Modern Piano?

Sure, you can google and find Mid Century Modern furniture everywhere. From the high-end Herman Miller and Kroll pieces right down to Crate & Barrel, furniture is available in this wonderful style. But if you’re a pianist, you may wonder how to find a piano these days to fit your new mid century modern décor? Euro Pianos Naples had customers coming to them with this exact question. It might be easy to find an Eames or Barcelona chair, but they want a piano that fits into that special room as well.

Any number of modern pianos today will echo this décor. The Sauter uprights which are stunning, look to be made for Mid Century Modern in their sleek, clean lines.

Sauter Pure designed by Peter Maly

But because we had specific requests for affordable mid century modern piano, we designed our own upright with the time-honored lines and silhouette to fit the demand.

Echo™ – Mid Century modern Upright

View details

What About Mid Century Modern Style Lighting?

They say the devil is in the details, and for a devilish good result in decorating, they would be right. Lighting a room can be an art, but the wonderful designs in mid century modern styles are worth pointing out. Generally speaking, the style of lamps is soft and rounded, “bubbles” and globes. Whether they be rice paper lamps or hanging cylinders, simplicity usually reigns.

The arco lamp is an iconic mid century modern design that has never left us. It seems to look good in any décor, and it’s a wonderful space saver, as a floor lamp.

FLOS Arco floor lamp

Table lamps often reflect the same simple structures of the furniture peg legs, adding charm to already simple lines.

The opposite of the soft, round designs was the “star shape” or “sputnik” shaped multi-bulbed fixture which also represented the style, in many surprising variations. These were used to enhance the very stark décor of some rooms where straight lines prevailed.

What are the Mid Century Modern Colors You Should Use?

Because the style ranged from Bauhaus to International and spanned two decades in the making, a wide palette of colors emerged over the years. Traditionally, in America, bright hues popped in via Formica and plastic, but colors settled down in the ‘60s and earth tones trended. Pink was always a mid century modern color giveaway.

These days, we think any carefully chosen palette will work, be it neutrals with pops of color, or a totally coordinated theme. One hint might be to choose your most important and eye-catching pieces first, and design around them. Even black and white can be uniquely used to make a room unforgettable. Look at the combination of rich wood and no color in this dining room.

What Are the Finishing Touches on Mid Century Modern?

Getting back to the origins of this style, some of the kindest things you can do to any room is to bring nature and art to bear. Rocks, plants, shells, and bones are all used in variations that are not only visually gorgeous but enhance the humanity of your living space as well. If you have favorite items, things that are touchstones for your own memories and adventures, such keepsakes, incorporate them to add life to your experience of the rooms.

Like lighting, accessories are an art, and choosing small things that delight you, will help you love your space.

Vase

Teapot

Clock

Teak Heron

The finishing touches to a room can be very personal, very aesthetic, and also just be that pop of color that brings the elements together, as any good decorator or interior designer will tell you. Even throw pillows can provide exciting accents that don’t cost much to accomplish.

Whatever you decide on, we hope you are fearless and smart about it. Go Bold!

Iconic Knoll’s Barcelona Chair

About Euro Pianos Naples

A large room with stairs and piano in it

October 1 2019

Pianos Under Staircases

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

When the time comes for buying a grand piano, whether it be a baby grand or a concert grand, the first interior design consideration is where to place the instrument.

Some homeowners have dedicated music rooms, or can integrate a piano into the living room or recreation room. This is not a solution for every home, but clever designers have come up with a practical and beautiful idea. In houses that have staircases, the wasted space under the steps is sometimes a “hole” in the décor that verges on an eyesore. Others, to avoid a void, might fill it with grandma’s pie pantry, or some other unused storage pieces. That same space could be a perfect place for a grand piano.

The very existence of a second story raises ceilings and provides an expanse of space that requires consideration. Chandeliers and skylights often add the needed proportional detailing while a grand piano can lend the mass to anchor the lofty dimensions.

Because of the space, many interior designs are confined to color combinations of black and white, employing lines, direction, textures, shapes, and tones to tie together the ensembles of architecture, art and music. Others go to town with color, but regardless, with a concept, it can come together and give you that grand piano you want.

In the example below, the piano offers an elegant entry into the main room, and seems to provide the gravitas to offset the airy spindles of the staircase and lacy chandelier. This classic décor is warmed by the beautiful pale tones of creamy butter against gray walls.

In a monochromic design scheme, such as the cream and white textured décor below, a piano can provide a focal point that pulls the elements together. Even the soft curves of the arched doorways and curved landing echo the piano’s lid. The balusters of the stairway provide a vertical repetition that moves the eye from soft to rigid and back again, providing a pleasing balance.

As evidence that there is no one right way to do things, the piano for the extremely lavish room below was chosen with a totally different design concept in mind. The white instrument was chosen in order to blend with the white of the floor’s lustrous marble, drapes, stair steps and complex white architecture with its pillars and ornate staircase, the eye is left to bounce off the filigreed black designs of the fantastic balustrade as well as the patterned rug and piano bench which echo the lacy shapes of the chandelier.

This modern, sweeping staircase in a soft spiral seems to embrace the grand piano beneath it. With the black and white motif, the statement is bold but simple. The black sculpture and black grand piano become united as art objets. Whimsically, one could almost visualize musical notes dancing down this balustrade with its lines like staff paper.

Another example of the filigreed wrought iron balustrade and white marbled floors shows off the classic grand piano in balance with the lavish chandelier. Note the carefully spaced LED spots on the ceilings, the subtle magic that lighting can add to a room. A traditionally staid design suddenly pops with surprises of modernity.

Again, the winding staircase in this arched space fairly begs for a grand piano to be tucked under it. With the addition of wood in balustrade, stair treads, and the living room hardwood floor, soft shades of tan and butterscotch walls complete the inviting and warm music area of the traditional home.

This white staircase, edged with sheer acrylic, emerges from a surprising ceiling of sweeping, rounded recesses, right out of a space ship. A traditional chandelier is almost hidden in the large modern cavity, and the graceful lines of the dark grand piano, set against its world of whites, lends balance to the grandiose shapes and lines of the architecture.

In an eclectic burst of color and design, this amazing stairwell with its circular landing begs for the attention of all the senses. The huge concert grand piano sits on a floral art carpet with an audience of Chiluly-like glass art in flower shapes, under an enormous carved curly-cue chandelier above. Stained glass windows, a red door, a huge leopard skin ottoman, and myriad other details make this a space not likely to be soon forgotten. Each element is an individual conversation-piece and artistic stand-alone statement, with a formidable piano as its hub.

In stark contrast to the room above, the simple staircase, clean lines and single hung sash windows of this space are soothing and a proper surround for the baby grand, littered with fresh flowers. You can almost smell Spring, and feel quietude and rejuvenation just looking at this photo.

This home’s foyer is also the landing for the winding staircase, with ample space beneath the stairwell for a grand piano. The warmth of wood, and the delicacy of the dual chandeliers give this space a crisp, traditional design heightened by wonderful window exposures of sunlight.

Black and white is featured in this modest sized, modern living room with a stairway descending into the foyer. A black baby grand fits into the niche beneath the stairs and echoes the black balustrade, front door and furniture trim. The modern acrylic/glass coffee table and chandelier give this traditional room an eclectic charm.

Sleek and sophisticated, this gorgeous staircase, bordered on the outside with acrylic, is so massive that it almost dwarfs the grand piano sitting beneath it. The modern architecture and high ceilings leave room to spare in this chic space with its surprise art and splashes of color.

This curved and interesting stair provides a wall for a narrow passage with floor to ceiling windows. A grand piano is the perfect minimalist objet d’arte for such a space. The black and white theme with filmy grey curtains that mimic the floor’s marble grain complete a very architecturally beautiful space.

Oops, is that space under the stairway just not big enough for a baby grand? A small house does not mean that it can’t accommodate a piano. This pretty little upright piano fits perfectly below the acrylic border of a natural-colored wood stairway, descending into a modest-sized room.

Sometimes the stairway is constructed in such a way that there is no alcove. But usually that means there’s a wall instead, and sometimes such a wall is the perfect place for a piano. In this case, the walnut case of the grand harmonizes with the lovely hardwood floors, stair treads and bannister. The delicate carpet echoes the tones in classic subtlety.

It almost looks like the architect of this space had a grand piano in mind when he designed this staircase. The arched windows, the shape of the ceiling and gentle curve of the stairs all reflect the contours of the grand. The surprising pop in this space is the black and white checkered marble that stretches the length of the entryway. An additional arch and a peek at pillars in the background conjure a regal spaciousness.

This lavish double staircase is the penultimate of a glamorous setting for a grand piano. The instrument gives a clear comparison of how massive the chandelier above it is. The lacy balustrades in black wrought iron with matching balconies, marble steps and pillars are all provocative reminders of the dramatic opulence of yesteryear, in the days of Hearst Castle and tycoon mansions along the Hudson River Valley.

This staircase is a vision of romantic filigreed railings and balustrade which contrasts and compliments the contoured walls and pillars, with its arch and detailed Federal style enhancements. The grand white marble floor and pale oriental carpet add more spaciousness to the landing, and the baby grand piano is a relatively small exclamation mark beneath the unfurled black iron lace.

This charming little studio with industrial-mode fittings is another example of a baby grand piano claiming its home under the stairs. Airy and light, small in size, the loft bedroom and modern tone of the apartment advertises what music lovers already know: there’s always room for a piano.

Grand is the word for the graceful black balconies and staircase of this elegant space. A grand piano parked at the bottom of the stairs punctuates accents of black along with black statues and paintings in a room otherwise golden with shades of yellow, gold and the sheer crystal of a chandelier that mimics the Nautilus curl of the feet of the wrought iron railings.

A smaller space can capture the same magic of filigreed wrought iron, golden colors and crystal. This baby grand, tucked under a gently winding staircase epitomizes elegance, and is enhanced by the spectacular waterfall chandelier. The choice of textured walls in shades of old amber and curry create a cheerful tone without losing the formality desired.

You don’t need Scotty to beam you up when you have this intergalactic-looking staircase, as unique and modern as you can find. The eclectic surprise is that the stairway descends on a near-traditional setting, with its traditional grand piano tucked beneath. However, the inlaid floor in an intriguing mandala pattern, seems appropriate to a space odyssey and the embedded lighting, like stars above might be a nod to someone’s merging everyday living to the galaxy.

This is another example of the wall of the stairway used for grand piano placement. In this space, the wrought iron balustrade gently swirls down to a traditional setting with oriental carpet, cream colored walls, and a beautiful vintage chandelier with iron fittings.

Here is another example of a modified “alcove” or “wall” – just a little corner nook for a cozy baby grand to snuggle into. Traditional, American, simple lines and soft hues, pianos and stairs go together like Mom and Pie. The soft yellow of the walls and soft color of the carpets all lend a serenity to this setting.

Finally. A last word. When there’s no alcove beneath the stairs, and no wall hiding the stairs, is it still possible to place a grand piano nearby? As this extraordinary room shows, all you really need is a good idea. The stairway, protected by acrylic, makes a nice backdrop for a transparent grand piano. But wait a minute. What is there’s no upstairs? I’m not sure if my eyes are deceiving me, but I think those stairs lead to nowhere, to air, and perhaps this entire stairway was built purely to be a backdrop for that acrylic piano! At any rate, it looks great and works as an artful setting for music making.

When looking for the perfect spot for that new piano, don’t forget to check out the unexpected. You’d be amazed where you’ll find music!

About Euro Pianos Naples

A black and white piano is shown on the stage.

August 29 2019

Redefining the Shape of the World’s Favorite Instrument

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

Man has always made music and over centuries, the stringed instrument of choice that evolved was the piano.

Using the primitive instruments from the beginning of time as their springboard, musicians in different parts of the world, starting in the 14^thcentury, created the clavichord, harpsichord, and spinet (virginal) and provided the blueprints predating Christifiori’s 1700’s gravicembalo col piano e forte, (the harpsichord that plays soft and loud). Piano e forte later was shortened to piano, and “Piano” as we know it was pretty much set in stone as far as the inner mechanics of piano design went.

Of course, there were some innovative additions, extra keys, extra pedals, different and better materials substituted over the decades that followed, and the piano cases went from Renaissance lavish to Industrial spartan as modern society made its advances. Player systems and electronic digitals later added more modernity. And a cycle of nostalgia returned some high end piano makers to resurrect lavish “art cases” made of precious materials and gemstones, rare woods with handmade customizations. But for all intents and purposes the shape and mechanics of the basic piano hasn’t changed much since the 14^thCentury, in the grand scheme of things.

Decorators and Interior Designers Make Themselves Heard

That is, not until the 20^thand 21^stCentury. Then something magical happened. The cliché family piano–the old Steinway grand or Yamaha upright in the corner – had become an out of fashion eyesore in the rooms of sleek homes and buildings of the modern world. Designers and interior decorators began seeking decorative and minimalist “furniture” and “art” for their clients, no longer satisfied with just a box that made music. Their demands were heard.

Clients (both residential and commercial) were willing to pay six figure prices for pianos that stayed at the front of innovative design and performance.

Piano masters around the globe were inspired to redefine what a modern piano should look and sound like. And what they came up with was so incredible that pianists are still reeling, scheming to get their hands on these amazing European instruments.

Why is Redefining Shape Important?

Some people may think it odd that anyone would ever want to change the design of a piano, an instrument that has worked for musicians for generations. What’s the point? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it mentality. But I believe that life, and the essence of all living, is a matter of change. Changing seasons, aging, degeneration and regeneration in myriad ways, both large and small, happen daily in every aspect of our life. You can hold that fact as a metaphor for major things right down to the most insignificant things, like the mosquitoes quit biting. Life is more alive with change because we march with the essence of it. Your surroundings, your thinking, your values and tastes are all subject to change. Embrace it, explore it, exploit it for the pure enjoyment that change can bring. Art, music and ambiance can change your entire outlook on life, so ask Change in, take a seat and enjoy the ride.

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. – John F. Kennedy

7 Pianos that Redefined the Shape of the Piano

1. From Italy - Fazioli M. Liminal Designed by NYT Line

Redefining the Shape of the World’s Favorite Instrument

Paolo Fazioli of Rome, Italy, began designing and building pianos, with the object of making the finest-quality instruments possible. There is no doubt that this manufacturer has surpassed the best of the best. Now even the most famous piano makers of Western Europe are recognizing his accomplishment, and artists throughout the world are using the instruments successfully on the concert stage and elsewhere. Many artists, and others most familiar with Fazioli pianos, describe them as sources of inspiration with a wide color palette and dynamic range, and combining great power with great warmth in a way that causes music played on them to “make sense” in a way made possible by few other pianos.

Fazioli always put performance first in their sublime ebony concert grands for professional halls and stages everywhere. But his personalized art cases are some of the most beautiful in the world still embracing the highest acoustic qualities Fazioli is known for.

Then when a valued client commissioned a special instrument for a yacht, using dolphins and the waves of the ocean for inspiration, NYT Line designers began to change the history of pianos. Centuries-old tradition of piano building was never going to be the same.

Fazioli engineers had to completely re-think the architecture to make the traditional case into an irregular-shaped case using carbon fiber beautifully balanced on a large single metal pedestal. The combination of use of carbon fiber, irregular shape of the case and completely re-engineered sound board in fact improved the acoustical qualities of the piano. The transparent reinforced lucite music stand and support rod streamline the visual effect so that M. Liminal, an elegant monolith, appears to float. That element of defying gravity gives M. Liminal it’s futuristic, spaceship sensibility.

The balance and grounding of M. Liminal is an architectural feat and gives M. Liminal absolutely stability on any surface and in any environment be it a yacht, an aircraft or a luxury penthouse. The most advanced Fazioli action rests within this high-tech case and gives a medium sized M. Liminal grand piano the power and resonance of a full concert grand.

2. Fazioli Aria Designed by NYT Line

Fazioli didn’t stop there. Their high-end design for the 20^thCentury, the M. Liminal, impacted customers across the globe, and a second model emerged not too long after.

Taking the engineering challenges learned from the M. Liminal, the FAZIOLI Aria was carried to the next step: the summit of innovation and piano engineering supreme.

There is something evocative of a mid-century modernism about the elegant and simple angularity of Aria’s key features and shapes. The black and chrome combination punctuated by triangle-derived motifs evoked Art Deco, placing this marvelously futuristic piano in the realm of the Chrysler Building of the future, or a skyscraper yet to be built.

3. From Hungary – The Bogányi Piano

Hungarian pianist Gergely Bogányi designed and built the Boganyi piano with its its distinctive shape and also with the use of carbon fiber materials. This performance grand piano is available as the Prestige B-262 and the Grand Prestige B-292 models.

The carbon fiber body and re-designed support of the Boganyi piano, creates a distinctive cantilevered shape which enhances the quality of its sound. The custom Boganyi bench echoes the design of the piano form perfectly. Centuries-old tradition of piano building was never going to be the same.

Some are calling it the Batpiano because of its sleek, Gothamesque look. For others, it’s a cross between an art deco sculpture and something out of Star Trek.

“There have been no major developments in piano construction in over 100 years,” said Gergely Bogányi, when he gave the Guardian a preview of his 10-year project at a workshop in Budapest. He has already spent 8,000 working hours on it.

4. From Germany – Schimmel Pegasus by Dr. Luigi Colani

The 9’10” Schimmel Pegasus is made of reinforced fiberglass resting on a Plexiglas pedestal. The piano is finished in high gloss ebony with brass hardware and hinges.

The top is raised and lowered with an electric hydraulic pump. The performance sound is very clear, and precise, almost crystalline. The piano bench is built into piano giving the clever aspect of a vehicle about to take off. Out of the fourteen of these pianos ever made, three of them were ordered by celebrities: Prince, Lenny Kravitz and Eddie Murphy.

5. From England - Whaletone Digital Grand Piano by Polish designer/owner: Robert Majkut

Each model is built to order and sized for chamber performance, but due to its capabilities with on-board speakers, subwoofer and digital connections, it could also fill a stadium or concert hall of any size with sound.

Buyers can choose an acoustic piano sound or select from 500 other options built in. The processor generates a superior authentic simulation of a string grand piano using Roland’s patented SuperNATURAL technology in three sounds: Concert, Studio and Brilliant. But that’s just the beginning. It can recreate vintage pianos from 1960 to 1980. The totally bespoke instrument is almost unlimited.

The keyboard is based on the full mechanics of a classical hammer mechanism to give the impression you really are playing a natural keyboard. But should you not wish to play, you can sit back and let the Hybrid player system take over with performances of your favorite artists, downloaded from the web and controlled via an iPad. You can even have the Grand Hybrid record and play back your own compositions.

6. From France - Pleyel Grand Piano by Peugeot Design Lab

Peugeot Design Lab team approached Pleyel, a 200-year-old French piano maker, with the idea of designing a new modern piano. Engineers and acoustic engineers from both companies collaborated to produce a streamlined design on a single cantilevered leg borrowed from the world of architecture.

The designers say the alignment of the cover and keyboard not only allows the audience to get a better look at the finger work of the pianist, but also delivers better sound quality to the pianist as the sound travels unimpeded.

Peugeot Design Lab’s automotive background helped innovate a self supporting lid mechanism borrowed from the design of a car’s tailgate. This replaces the traditional lid prop and allows the lid to be opened with one hand.

To retain the sound quality and touch, the body and soundboard of the piano are made of traditional wood, while the lid and leg are constructed from carbon fiber. While this helps with sound projection and weight reduction, a central frame is made from steel to support the piano, while the carbon fiber leg has been filled with expanded foam to eliminate any sound box effect.

“We do not do style for the sake of style,” says Gilles Vidal, Peugeot’s Director of Styling. “This instrument is not a concept but a real product which involves an exchange of know-how between the design studio and its client.”

7. From Germany – Bluthner PH Grand Piano by Danish cultural icon, Poul Henningsen

Blüthner, a privately-owned family business, has been making pianos of the highest quality in Leipzig, Germany, since 1853. And today boasts the world’s most extensive selection of extraordinary transparent “Lucid” grand pianos. The performance quality of all of their instruments is top rated and revered.

Bluthner PH can be customized in colors and finishes to suit the buyer. Henningsen, the designer, had this excerpt to say:

“In 1930 I designed something entirely new … and the result was this “glass piano”. My idea was that the piano is one of the very few instruments that is played inside its box. A violin, after all, is taken out of its case. The traditional wrapping of the piano has therefore always been a piece of furniture in the style of the time. I wanted to make it an instrument and maybe even improve the sound of it.”

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March 19 2019

Bluthner’s Crystal P.H. Grand Piano

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

If you know anything about pianos, you know there’s been a revolution in the industry in the past century. Yes, I said century. Because the three-legged acoustic piano has managed to look pretty much the same for centuries after the first pianoforte was created in an evolutionary leap from virginal, (one step up from a harpsichord) in 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori.

Bluthner, a family owned, German piano builder who’s been around since 1853, is one of those historical wunderkinds who left their indelible mark—first as the largest European piano maker before 1900, and then after WWII, the most innovative piano designer and game changer.

Bluthner incorporates unique aliquot stringing into their grands, giving the treble notes four strings rather than the standard three, which aids the singing tone.

They introduced the first “backward” piano for left-handed pianists which can still be special-ordered in two sizes, with treble strings, hammers and keys on the left and bass on the right.

When you stop to consider that their pianos are always built with superb materials, and carry a rich tone, -warm, romantic and lyrical, and has become their trademark- think of the excitement created when they became the only piano builder in the world to carry a full line of transparent, high-quality acrylic pianos with the same performance values.

When I say innovative, I want to impress on the reader their readiness to find designers out of their fold, to create models that bear no resemblance to the traditions of their historical success, and their utter insistence on Bluthner quality, regardless of the size, shape or style of the instrument they make.

A case in point is the PH Grand Piano which was so far ahead of its time that today it still stands as one of the most modern pianos in the world. It was designed by a Dane named Poul Henningsen (the PH) in 1931. At that time, it was an unheard-of departure from any others’ piano designs and carried all the organic mystique and glee of the Bauhaus artistic fervor of the day.

Poul Henningsen, the son of a famous Danish actress, Agnes Henningsen, had a flair for the dramatic, but all the balanced and simplified tastes of an architect and a democratic thinker of his time. Just imagine such a piano in 1931, with its gracefully curved, chrome-plated steel legs, its peekaboo lid made of crystal-clear Plexiglas (the latest and most expensive material), and the matching music rack that sweeps across the entire width of the instrument. Banded in leather, it was the perfect marriage of organic and new materials.

Poul Henningsen

It was the frontrunner of the wholly transparent acrylic piano they make today, but stands alone even now as an incredible icon of futuristic design. The PH Grand Piano is a symbol of functionalism and represents Poul Henningsen’s personal ideal of simplicity. He called it a “glass piano” and said, “this is how music looks.” That was just the beginning.

The case and components of the PH Grand Piano can be customized in infinite ways. Even the metal aspects of the piano can be changed to colors and finished to individual choice. Similarly, the leather banding can be color coordinated to interior settings or unique preferences. It isn’t surprising that the PH Grand Piano is available with a unique self-player system, controlled by any device (smartphone or tablet) and turns the PH Grand Piano in to the most sophisticated piano available today.

One of our favorites of the infinite variations for customization is the crystal PH Grand where the leather band is replaced with Austrian Swarovski crystals. Can a piano get any more dramatic or beautiful?

We can picture it in cozy cocktail lounges, sexy music rooms in lavish homes, and on any performance stage where glitz and drama fit the bill.

The late, great Liberace (who wisely purchased a Bluthner grand piano for his first important engagement in Las Vegas) later went on to deck out a Baldwin piano in Austrian crystals.

If he were around today, Liberace could have commissioned Bluthner to custom built that PH grand piano for him out of transparent Lucite, set it aglow with LED lights and a hidden player piano to accompany him with a full orchestra and I bet Liberace would have been overjoyed to show it off.

Lucid PH in Custom Swarovski Crystals Trim

The PH Grand piano is available in two sizes, a Grand of 6’1″ and a Petite Grand of 5’.

Contact Euro Pianos for more information about Bluthner Lucid Pianos.

A piano that is sitting on top of a table.

March 5 2019

Crystal Rain – Presents The Kawai Crystal Grand Piano

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

Kawai Corporation, founded by former Yamaha employee, Koichi Kawai in 1927, was the first in Japan to design and build a piano action. Over 40 years of scientific testing, Kawai developed an important innovation in the use of ABS Styran plastic to manufacture action parts. Better than wood for this purpose, ABS does not swell or shrink with humidity, so the regulation of the action is easier to maintain. These parts are present in every Kawai piano. Kawai has built a reputation for making excellent pianos and celebrated its 90^th anniversary in 2017.

In honor of this anniversary, Kawai unveiled its new Crystal Grand Piano CR-1M, a 6’1” acoustic instrument made almost entirely of industrial-grade acrylic. The piano is based on the legendary Shigeru Kawai SK-5 grand piano.

Crystal Rain – Presents The Kawai Crystal Grand Piano

The Kawai CR-1M Crystal Grand is truly a work of art. The benefits of acrylic pianos, besides being beautiful is to “see right through” to view its inner workings. Acoustically similar to a standard grand, the CR-1M distinguishes itself by its transparency. The piano comes with a matching acrylic bench.

Only Five Pianos To Be Made

The CR-1M is part of a Kawai special-order program which limits sales to five instruments. The five lucky buyers have the option of customizing their piano to match their unique personal preferences. The price tag on this beauty of ¥100,000,000 Japanese yen translates to approximately $893,000 in U.S. dollars, but this not include the shipping from Japan.

CR-40 Auctioned For Charity

While Kawai has unveiled the CR-1M in 2017, there is some confusion about when this crystal piano actually was put into use. (One reference to a CR-30 and a photo can be found on the internet, a 5’10” crystal piano, but it is apparently no longer on the market.)

However, Yoshiki, a world renowned musician and song writer for his famous heavy metal rock group, X JAPAN, allegedly owned a CR-40 as early as 2011. Yoshiki, who lives in Los Angeles, adopted Kawai’s Crystal Grand Piano for ensemble and solo performances at musical events around the globe. The group attracted 8,000 screaming fans in Hollywood alone, so any piano of his was considered a big draw at auction.

In 2011, Yoshiki, who spearheaded the Japan Relief Fundraising Auction with help from Yahoo Japan, was the first of many celebrities donating items to the project. Other big names include Britney Spears, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Cher, Marilyn Manson, Anthony Kiedis and Stan Lee.

Proceeds from the sale of Yoshiki’s crystal piano were donated to Japan earthquake and tsunami relief. Apparently, the auction went wild. Britney Spears’ clothing (pants and a top) got bids over $1 million. Bidding reached $20 million for the crystal piano, and the auction had to be closed down and later reopened with rules controlling the verifications and concern over the authenticity of the bids. The piano ultimately sold for $134,931.

Kawai CR-1M At Art And Design Exhibits

The 2018 Tokyo DESIGN TOUCH exhibition, an annual design and art fair, included the CR-1M as in installation in their theme of “Ideas for the Future” exhibits.

In addition, it has been exhibited internationally, including at MILANA SALONE, the world’s largest design event. At the SUPER DESIGN SHOW in April 2018, light artist Takahiro Matsuo, developed an installation entitled Crystal Rain, incorporating the CR-1M crystal grand piano floating upon undulating waves of water. As the instrument was played, each note sparkled as droplets of light, rained down into the space surrounding the piano, enhancing the transparency and crystal glitter. It was described as “a dream-like space, where piano, art, and technology merged, presenting a modern impression of musical space, transcending the rigid boundaries commonly associated with the musical instrument industry.”

There’s no doubt that acrylic pianos are amazing. That’s why Euro Pianos Naples has chosen to represent Lucid Bluthner pianos, because they are the only piano builders in the world who have an entire line of models from traditional style (like this Kawai) to ultra-modern to downright futuristic, made out of the highest-grade acrylic and components you can buy. Lucid iDyllic Excellence is also the only fully transparent piano!

Drop by our website and check out the excitement that is crystal pianos today!

A white piano with some very interesting design.

March 4 2019

The Butterfly Fazioli Joins The Fight For Beauty

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

In the modern world of jet planes, high speed internet, rancorous politics, weaponry and wars, it seems that the allowance in people’s lives for beauty, music and art becomes smaller and smaller. Cities are overrun with urban blight, poverty, and decay.

Outside the Fairmont Pacific Rim, a luxury Vancouver hotel, there is a magenta, graffiti encased pavilion housing a new pop-up art gallery entitled Fight For Beauty.

This exhibition is based on a book (of the same name) written by Ian Gillespie.

Gillespie is primarily a property developer, his company, Westbank, is responsible for some of Canada’s most design-orientated buildings. He is keen to ensure all his projects have the highest artistic credentials, creating “a positive impact on how people live today”.

Westbank Developers, a unique Canadian firm that prides itself on its civic and community- oriented ethics, decided to do something about Vancouver. They purchased downtown Oakridge Centre and have planned a massive redevelopment already started and is due to complete in 2025. (See our blog on Kengo Kuma Fazioli, part of this project).

It includes:

Twenty condo towers for new 48-acre Southgate neighborhood at Edmunds Station. Approximately 6,000 people will live in 2,600 residential units within 10 towers and four mid-rise buildings, with the mid-rise buildings dedicated to 290 units of rental housing and 290 units of social housing.

A new mega mall to open in 2019 at The Amazing Brentwood. The floor area of retail at the new multi-story shopping center will almost double from the existing 574,000 sq. ft. to about one million sq. ft., with an east-west galleria spine running from the SkyTrain station to the development’s western edge.

New office space, with large, open floor plans geared for the tech and creative industries, for 3,000 employees will be located in the lower floors of the towers near the SkyTrain station.

As part of the redevelopment’s community benefits, the developer will build a new 100,000 sq. ft. community center at the northwest corner of the site. It will include community spaces, seniors center, a daycare facility, and the new second largest branch of the Vancouver Public Library.

A 9-acre public rooftop park on Oakridge Centre will also serve as a music venue accommodating 3,000, and since there are smaller performance areas scattered across the shopping center, the possibility of holding music festivals is being considered.

Space for the Goh Ballet in its new Oakridge Centre location will triple the size of its academy. The project also promises to offer the largest public art program in the city’s history.

Each new Westbank residential tower is a work of art in itself. The vast amount of care Westbank took in choosing architects, designers, engineers and craftsmen is staggering.

The Butterfly - Westbank’s Residential Tower, Part Of The Project

The concept of transformation is one of the ideas that informed the design of The Butterfly building destined for 969 Burrard St. The 57-story tower will be constructed in a parking lot behind the First Baptist Church, and will contain 331 market condominium units.

Bing Thom Architects was hired for the project, but Mr. Thom died in 2016 and his year associate, Venelin Kokalov, became the design principal. The new name for the firm is Revery Architecture and they continue to work on Westbank’s Butterfly building. Bing Thom was able to contribute his renowned ideas and inspiration to the project before his death.

Kokalov has said their goal is to create a building to symbolize elegance, grace and beauty. The butterfly is a symbol of this. Also butterflies are in constant change. When asked how this slender tower resembled a butterfly, Kokalov replied:

We created these sky gardens – you arrive into these gardens and you are always surprised… in the morning you get this fresh air, sometimes it’s rainy, sometimes it’s a sunny day. The trees change through the year. You see the sky, moving clouds – all these elements of nature are in constant change, the same way as the butterfly.”

The name of The Butterfly refers more to the transformational qualities of butterflies, than the exact look of the building.

When you look at it from above, it has that butterfly shape.

The beginning designs of the building took into consideration the nearby First Baptist Church, and the shapes were oriented by the church’s the pipe organ with cut outs for a different approach.

In keeping with Westbank’s desire to merge city living with the beautiful natural resources of Vancouver, gardens are planned on every floor. The concept of the building is to break the typologies of the city, create new experiences. Normally, living in a high-rise tower, the elevator lets you off in a dark hall and you enter your apartment. In this case, you arrive at your floor, leave the elevator and you’re in the fresh air with trees and flowers around you. Then you enter into your apartment.

Seating area outside suite entrance. Credit:SkyscraperPage Forum Vancouver

These spaces called sky gardens, breezeways of a sort, create community interaction because working people sometimes don’t take time to socialize. Kokalov adds:

We don’t want to clone the (existing) towers. In Vancouver, all the towers are cloned, they’re the same. You’re not surprised. It’s super boring. In our way, we tried to reinvent the tower to bring this new experience.”

The façade of the Butterfly is pre-cast concrete – white, curved shapes that look like clouds, and because of a special glazing, will also reflect the clouds. In some light, the building will blend with the sky. They like to say that residents are living in the sky with earthly gardens.

The interiors have expanded unit spaces by omitting drywall and using glass walls. This is also something that is unique to The Butterfly. The 50-metre swimming pool will be the largest in a residential tower and sits under the iconic sculpted vaulted ceiling that echoes the building’s façade.

The Butterfly Piano - Fazioli’s Commissioned Grand Piano

Westbank Developers and Paolo Fazioli have a long-standing relationship, combining their creative talents to build the artful and beautiful. Westbank commissions Fazioli to do one-of-a-kind design pianos for each of their most unique buildings, whether it is a luxury hotel, or a state of the art residential tower. Even for smaller events, Westbank has rented a Fazioli from a local dealer because the pianos are considered the best instruments money can buy.

The Fazioli Butterfly Piano at the “Fight for Beauty” exhibition. Photo: Ema Peter

One of the key exhibits that can be seen in the Fight for Beauty pavilion is a piano. It is a very special piano – a Fazioli. In terms of quality, Fazioli is considered the top piano-maker in the world. In Sacile, an hour outside Venice, exquisite hand-made instruments are created and shipped worldwide. The Westbank-Fazioli connection illustrates Gillespie’s philosophy of artistic collaboration.

Thom died in 2016, and his design team were tasked with creating a piano to compliment the new building. This is the first piece of work the team produced that didn’t have Thom’s input, and as such is considered a tribute to their famous mentor.

The Butterfly Piano’s design matches the vivacious curves and flow of the Butterfly building. However, the piano’s intricate styling was also heavily inspired by Alexander McQueen’s iconic 2003 Shipwreck dress, interestingly enough!

Alexander McQueen’s 2003 Shipwreck dress

The piano itself is a Model F212 (7ft) Fazioli. This is the perfect sized instrument for smaller venues such as hotel lobbies, piano bars, etc.

The stunning decorative casework is carved from wood, however metal is used to reinforce the legs which must take the full weight of the instrument – nearly 400kg. Virtually all processes are done by hand including the final sanding and polishing. This is typical of Fazioli construction but even more creatively rendered in this sublime piano case.

Luxury designer pianos have reached epic sales numbers in the 21^st Century. With the renaissance in new futuristic shapes, improved and unusual materials like metals and acrylic, graphic design skins of paintings and photos, fine art, mother of pearl, rare woods, marquetry and LED lighting, the sky seems to be the limit in where you can go with piano décor.

Visit Euro Pianos Naples and take a look at the most beautiful and best pianos on the planet. You won’t be sorry. You’ll float like a butterfly.