pianos and interior design

A piano in the middle of a room with pictures on it.

February 26 2018

How To Fit A Small Piano Into Your Small Home!

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design 0

The question might be: why do you want or need a piano in your home at all? Some might consider it a luxury or perhaps a dated family tradition, a throwback to the days of a parlor grand in every Victorian sitting room. But people who know and play piano, who want their children to learn piano, and who have experienced the benefits, might yearn for a piano, but feel there’s nowhere to put it. So, first, what are the benefits?

The Benefits Of Owning A Piano

There have been decades of research done on the benefits of playing a musical instrument, and it is generally acknowledged that the piano encompasses the entire musical spectrum of notes and clefs. This makes all other instruments relative to the piano, so the piano is music’s poster child.

How To Fit A Small Piano Into Your Small Home!

Physical Benefits:

Piano offers physiological advantages to players of all ages. Playing sharpens motor skills and improves hand-eye coordination in the young. In older adults research shows significantly increased levels of Human Growth Hormone, which slows the adverse effects of aging. Bringing music into your life is also proven to reduce anxiety, heart and respiratory rates, cardiac complications, and to lower blood pressure and increase immune response.

Intellectual Benefits:

Piano practice boosts cognitive and intellectual abilities, activating parts of the brain used in spatial reasoning and math. Studying piano has also been shown to improve memory and help build positive habits like focus, perseverance, and creativity. Regular practice from an early age can make structural changes to the brain that are life-lasting, making your brain more efficient both in music and in all other endeavors.

Spiritual & Psychological Benefits:

Music is a uniquely human experience. As a facet of worship around the world, music has been tied culturally to religion and spirituality. As a form of art and entertainment, music has spoken to multitudes of individuals at deeply personal, and yet universally human, levels. The researchers are forever seeking to understand the spiritual, religious, or emotional cause of music’s power over the human psyche, but there’s no denying its impact.

It is also interesting that piano has been used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder, and is generally known to help people experience less anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Playing piano has also been shown to be a great source of stress relief, and provides ample opportunities to bolster self-esteem.

So, Where Are You Going To Put It?

If you want a small piano in your home, but feel that an apartment or small dwelling is just not big enough to accommodate anything but a keyboard, then we believe you should think again. As a rule you can usually make it work if it’s a priority in your life. The first step is to decide that you can fit a small piano into your small home. Many thousands of people have done so, and so can you.

Prioritizing

If you really want a piano, whether it’s a small upright piano or a small baby grand piano, there’s every chance that you can find room for it. You’d be surprised how easily it can be done by revising the way you look at the space in your home, and where your priorities lie. Prioritizing means that you look around your home and actually focus on what takes up space, and choose what’s important to you.

Each household is different and has its own priorities. Bookshelves, overstuffed furniture, entertainment spaces, (home bars, large TV’s, music systems and video game setups) have been given floor space – and perhaps without a lot of thought going into it. Sometimes things accumulate over years and are added a piece at a time – because we like the look or need the seating or it’s an impulse purchase – perhaps a big potted palm takes up three feet in the foyer. But the overall planning of a room isn’t always considered. Sometimes the original overall design and décor of a room has been altered over the years simply by unplanned purchases, the addition of children and their needs to the household, and other factors.

Trading Clutter For What Matters

The first step might be to see how things can be rearranged or even excluded. An entryway might have enough room for an upright piano (if the potted palm was moved out to the patio).

A large bookcase might do better in the bedroom to make space in the living room. For that matter, would some of those books be better off at Goodwill? Is that collection of old magazines and yellowed newspapers really necessary or taking up space? What matters more to you? Remember, it’s your vision and desire that make this possible.

Could a cluttered den be cleaned out and set up as a den/music room? Could a TV room also include an upright piano? How long has it been since the kids used the rec room? How long has it been since you’ve updated the furniture? Could you use less? Could small, more modern pieces better fit your small house?

Maybe you have a home office that’s lost its way? Perhaps the office would fit in some cubby, and the space could be traded out for a music room?

If the family room is a catch-all for clutter and spare furniture, perhaps it could be redone with a needs-only approach, minimal furniture plus a small piano. A new look and new focus is sometimes the very thing a family needs to spark new interest and inspiration in the home.

Finding The Odd Spots In Your Home

Is there a bay window or a niche or some odd little spot where a small piano might sit?

Perhaps there’s a tiny room that’s too small for anything but a grand piano! It might take a little imagination, but the chances are good that there’s a place somewhere in your home.

Don’t Ignore The Corners!

Take a look at the corners of your rooms. Are they really being utilized, or simply ignored? You’d be amazed how many times people have fit a grand piano into a small living room with only a few adjustments, allowing access to a corner previously ignored.

While grand pianos sometimes have a way of taking over the focus of an entire room, small pianos often have the opposite effect. With the right choice of a piano, it can blend right into the surroundings as naturally as a credenza.

Susan E. Brown Interior Design

Even a small wall between rooms, or a divider in the floor plan might be a perfect fit for small pianos. Keep a creative eye to what you do and do not need, and where the space could be better utilized. With art objects and plants, a bare and boring space in a home can become beautiful and most importantly, a music center for the whole family

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

So What’s The Best Piano For A Small Space?

Obviously the amount of home space you find is going to dictate just how big you can go when you set out to look for small pianos for sale. But here are a few ideas just for inspiration and direction. There are hundreds of choices and we would encourage readers to see our other blog articles on design and décor and check out our website for myriad models and customized colors and styles. But for the purposes of this article, we shall address two baby grand pianos and three Sauter uprights that we think are representative of small pianos that would do any small home proud.

RONDO Upright by Sauter

This curvy little beauty will look at home in any room of the house. Oozing with style, its rounded edges and cheerful aspect almost cries out “Play Me!” These upright designs are by the renowned German designer, Peter Maly who was commissioned to do exclusive, modern and innovative creations for Sauter, one of the most respected, quality European piano builders. Sauter always makes our ten top lists in every category of pianos.

The piano seemingly “floats” on stainless steel cylinders and the sophisticated case in available in dark brown African Rosewood or glossy black. With Maly ingenuity, the lid opens in “wing-like” formations, with an upholstered chrome and leather bench.

Sauter Rondo Upright

PURE 2000 Upright by Sauter

The stark ebony lacquer of this Pure model make it one of our favorites. Sauter (and Peter Maly) approached this upright with the principle that “less is more” – as little as possible, as much as necessary. Their aim was to be archetypal, reducing the best quality instrument to its essentials, with nothing superfluous. The Purist Upright Piano. But these uprights offer a great deal, indeed. All of Sauter’s larger verticals use an action, designed and patented by Sauter, that contains an auxiliary jack spring to aid in faster repetition. Sauter calls this the R2 Double Escapement action. The added tongue-shaped spring on the jack keeps it against the butt of the hammer much like gravity does on a grand piano. Repetition is nearly instantaneous, but doesn’t put any “lost motion” in the key. This makes Sauter uprights a great choice among professionals.

Sauter Pure

VITREA Upright by Sauter

Another Maly original, the Sauter Vitrea is an astounding sibling of the Pure model above, with the same aliform winged lid and quality R2 double-repetition action under the hood. However this upright is sleekly constructed in warm shades of dark or light oak but adorned with front panels of cool frosted matt glass (available in two shades but shown here in green). This glass, reminiscent of fine art glass found in Venice and Paris, catches the light and is an audacious surprise in an upright piano, making it swank and modern, and memorable.

Sauter Vitrea

Manhattan 150 by Story & Clark

Among the many baby grands available, one little Story & Clark piano catches our eye. The Manhattan is a flirty tribute to the art deco era whose designs have become iconic and still in demand all over the world. It high gloss ebony finish is enhanced with accents of Birdseye Maple, and even the lid stand has the unmistakable art deco flair. At four feet eleven inches, this baby grand can tuck into an apartment or home with ease. It would be just as at home in a penthouse New York apartment, as a pied a terre in Paris. Every Story & Clark piano is equipped with QRS PNOmation player system, which makes this an economical choice as well as a superstylish one, as it runs about $25K all included.

Baby Grand F156 by Fazioli

At the high end of baby grands and renowned as one of the best pianos in the universe, we must include the F156, the smallest (five foot two inches) of Fazioli grand pianos. It is hand made with all the same astonishing bells and whistles of the nine foot concert grands. If you are the pianist who demands the best, this is the instrument for you.

Fazioli’s reputation for unique sound, extraordinary workmanship and rare woods is upheld in every piano they ship from their factory in Sacile, Italy. The action is so perfect that these pianos don’t even have to be tuned when they are uncrated, and require no preparation by a dealer on delivery like most other pianos. Extraordinary and special, the Fazioli brand is an asset as prized as the Ferrarri in the car industry. Professionals insist that to play a Fazioli is to experience anew the sound of music.

FAZIOLI F156

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.

A white grand piano sitting in front of a wall.

February 26 2018

White Grand Pianos – Has the trend changed?

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

It may be true that the great concert halls of the world favor their concert grand pianos in traditional ebony color regardless of brand, but that is where tradition ends.

It may also be true that during the era when the parlors of the middle class and children’s school began to fill with uprights and small grands, the typical piano color was brown. It was simply the economic result of mass-production by manufacturers like Steinway where uniformity saved dollars.

But what is also true is that for the pure aesthetics of décor, status and beauty, the white piano has forever held its own.

Historically, before the marketing and newspaper advertisements were everywhere, people either went to a piano store to buy a piano, or if they had the money for customization and real luxury designs, they likely went directly to the designer and manufacturer. It is hard to imagine that a white grand piano like the one above would be found in a piano store. Even replicas of those old fabulous designer pianos are hard to find these days.

White Grand Pianos – Has the trend changed?

Even the old white uprights had panache and individualism that made the brown pianos of the day look dull in comparison. So Style was a major inducement for piano makers to create white instruments in historic times, as it is today. White pianos just have a kind of magical influence on people whose visual and aesthetic senses are stimulated by the unusual, the creative and the dramatic.

There are, of course, designer tricks in decorating rooms. White is “lighter” in more ways than color. A big black or brown piano sitting in a small room or a light-colored room is likely to suck the life out of the décor. Imagine a room like this with a black baby grand.

The contemporary homes of today are often designed around lightness, glass and airy concepts. Sometimes a white piano is the only logical choice for a space.

Not everyone decides on a slick contemporary home. Tradition is still very much alive in modern life. But even people who decorate with an eye to vintage and traditional values often chose white for its appeal and charm, like this white upright and a traditional baby grand.

There has been a renaissance in the piano industry in the last couple of decades. New brands and new technology (a very rare event in pianos) have created a competitive market that has had to produce products that offer more than the old brown piano, even in the economy market.

Marilyn Monroe had a white piano which was purchased at Christie’s in 1999 by Mariah Carey. Elvis Presley and John Lennon also enjoyed white pianos. Designers like Adalene Keeler Smith, AMI Designs, and Sara Hopkins, and many others have found that their modern clients needed the lighter touch and have commissioned white instruments with terrific results. Today, some of the most attractive pianos on the market are white and lend themselves to space saving, luxuriously modern settings, pulling together contemporary design and clean lines.

So, What’s New?

If you’re looking for a white piano for sale, look no further. Euro Pianos Naples loves the look of white and uses it in their own baby grand. Whether it’s a white upright piano, a white baby grand piano or a white grand piano for sale, we can consult with you, and steer you to the best in design, performance and price.

The white uprights today also have more charm and innovative styling than ever before.

Sauter, a German piano firm, of one of the most innovative companies of the European piano builders, has six generations of family still in control They make grands and specialty uprights, and they carry many white unique pianos, with extra special styling.

SAUTER, PURE WHITE UPRIGHT PIANO

The internationally-renowned Peter Maly has been famous since 1970, designing furniture, trade fair architecture, photo set designs and store concepts for major companies. He was commissioned exclusively by Sauter pianos and his characteristic concepts of combining purist design with functionality and timelessness have resulted in piano projects which are extraordinary. While much of his cubistic and modern lines lend themselves to contemporary rooms with modern furniture and abstract art, the designs are so pure and simple that they are timeless and could be applied to all kinds of interior design ideas.

The lids of Maly’s uprights open like “wings” on top, allowing the sound to project. While this classic totally suits a contemporary setting, the additional of a natural maple keyboard cover offers a touch of cultured earthiness to further diversify the decorative versatility, making it fit and complement almost any décor, not just modern interiors. Anyone seeking a piano will love the lightness and joy that white adds to interior design.

Maly’s line of “Pure Pianos” are very special. His Pure white piano has opalescent satin finish and chromium plated accessories which are deliberately matte to sustain the airiness of the design.

Sauter Concent Upright Piano

Another white upright designed by Peter Maly is the Concent which replicates the lines of the Pure White model, but with a lower price tag. The Pure White is constructed with high-end piano action like a Concert Grand, whereas the Concent model has the standard Sauter action, but is still considered superior to most other brands of uprights. The side panels carry chrome plated feet that complete the style, and accent the clean chrome handle on the keycover and piano bench as well.

Schimmel i115 Upright

And while we’re talking about uprights, Schimmel, another excellent German piano maker also puts a concert grand piano action in their uprights. Among European piano manufacturers, Schimmel has been a pioneer in the use of computer-aided design and manufacturing. The Schimmel Model i115 made in Germany, is an elegant white upright that would look stately in almost any room The high gloss finish and clean lines have won awards for Schimmel’s upright pianos. Schimmel is proud that it consistently includes the construction ideas of its large Koncert Grand Piano K-280 into its smaller models, and where possible, uses identical components. Schimmel makes its own piano-cabinet components and keyboards. They also supply them to other German piano makers.

Schimmel C169 baby grand

While we’re on the subject of Schimmel, here’s their white polish baby grand whose elegance would fit in any kind of décor. Schimmel pianos are manufactured exclusively in Braunschweig, Germany. Schimmel is known for its advancements in the technology of the piano-building process using. Computer Assisted Piano Engineering (CAPE) software. Their engineers can design each part of the piano because Schimmel believes in carefully controlling each piece of their designs. As a result the piano-cabinet components and keyboard of each piano are exclusively produced in the Schimmel factory. The detailing and balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology is the reason that the brand name Schimmel always enjoys a worldwide excellent reputation. If you like Schimmel as a brand, it’s also refreshing to know that you can get almost any of their models, except for a few Concert Grands, in white polish finish. They know it’s a mainstay in designer pianos.

When shopping for white pianos, don’t be discouraged. It is still common for manufacturers to advertise photos of pianos in traditional black ebony, so photos of white pianos are not as easily found, but many, many grand piano models can be purchased in white polish, regardless of the brand. Just check out the color choices as you check out models or call us and we can do the footwork for you.

The Aire™ by Euro Pianos

Along with white pianos, acrylic pianos have recently become the other modern innovation in pianos, serving the same purpose of “lightening up” the contemporary designs in today’s homes. The white model of The Aire™ acrylic piano is particularly suited to 21^st Century designers and to bring an affordable transparent piano to the marketplace required a lot of research into acrylic manufacturers, and modestly priced piano parts. Sunny Reuter of Euro Pianos pulled together a team of engineering and design specialists to create the semi-transparent Euro Pianos baby grand “The Aire.”

The standard 5’3” polished-wood piano case can be ordered in black, white, mahogany and walnut colors – glossy or matte finish — and every Aire™ model has beautiful acrylic legs, lid, lyre, key cover and music stand. The clear elements make the piano look as if it’s floating on air, thus the name designated for this little beauty.

The Asian-made piano parts are the highest quality available on the market in the economy class of instruments. Warranty and service from Euro Pianos is unsurpassed, and the buyer can be assured of quality performance to suit home pianists and students alike.

Just by some subtle changes in color, size and finish, one baby grand can create dozens of different ambiances from Hollywood Zing to Classic Modern.

New Aire™ acrylic baby grand with brass trim

ABOUT EURO PIANOS NAPLES

A dining room table with clear chairs and black rug

February 26 2018

Acrylic Furniture – Best Examples of Lucite Furniture

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

There is no doubt that acrylics are finding their rightful place in the marketplace, the darling of designers, homeowners, and architects. What makes acrylic so desirable is its versatility and its advantages. By that I mean that acrylic is crystal clear and free of distortions. Tough and shatterproof, it’s seventeen times more impact resistant than glass, and usually about half the weight. It maintains its clarity and does not yellow, so a new item looks just as new years later. It’s highly weather resistant as well, unlike some woods and leathers. The material can be fashioned into every conceivable shape and design. Not only is furniture being fashioned totally in acrylic, but also acrylic furniture legs are being added to sofas, chairs, tables and benches. Here’s an example of how these legs make conventional furniture seem to “float” in the air.

Acrylic Furniture – Best Examples of Lucite Furniture

One of the joys of modern designers is the availability and range of choices in acrylic furniture today. Also known as Lucite or Plexiglass, designers began toying with transparent furniture as far back as the 1930’s when art deco trends lent themselves to the unusual. The material was introduced to the marketplace in 1933 by the Rohm and Haas Company. By the 21^st Century, those Lucite furniture options have exploded into a feast of furniture elements that provide unlimited creative décor.

Even for the traditionalists, today’s designs include clear acrylic furniture as elements of interest in an otherwise traditional room. Notice how the acrylic table in this room almost “disappears” giving the whole space a less cluttered feel.

Photo: Simon Upton

The transparency of pieces make them versatile enough to work with almost any other elements. This magnificent dining room has all the classical charm any traditionalist could want, and yet the addition of the Lucite chairs transforms the room into a brilliant eclectic wedding of styles. Adding edgy pieces to classic décor creates zing in a room, making it exciting.

But of course acrylic furniture is right at home in modern homes. Here’s another dining room that strives for sparseness and open space. The chairs here work to enhance that spaciness and also show off the magnificent table base and more of the incredible wood flooring.

What is so wonderful about acrylic is that it can be fashioned into curves and swirls as well as linear shapes. It can be cut and faceted like the face of a diamond. While it is usually left crystal-clear, it can be customized tinted and even edged with dyes to produce neon effects.

Acrylic has been used extensively in dining rooms because of the need to seat a lot of people without creating too “heavy” a space with so many pieces of furniture. We love the designer look of mixing Lucite chairs with padded chairs for an eclectic mix that keeps the eye moving. For traditionalists, this is a very savvy solution to creating more space.

Here’s another rendition of the same idea of armchairs and acrylic chairs combined.

In this case, the black bases of the chairs are used to echo the choice of a black table. blending a mellow country house feeling with the modernity of acrylic.

This modern white dining room below looks very compact, and positively shines with light and cheer. It easily sits six, but looks like no space is taken up at all, in a smaller home. Once again the lovely wooden floors are visible through the acrylic chairs, giving that floaty look which in this case totally; compliments the floating stairway.

Here’s acrylic used again in a charming four-seat dinette tucked into the corner of a condo or summer house. The airy, breezy look of the transparent furniture adds to the outdoors view through the wall of window.

Take a look at these black and white designs in contemporary spaces that carry not only startling sophistication, but a whimsical feel with the artwork or architecture and omission of color.

Dining rooms are only one application of acrylic. Conversation pieces like the Jacinda bench below can be used to brighten up any room.

End tables and occasional tables can be scattered throughout the house. The designs and shapes can be pure whimsy like the end table below. Just let your imagination soar!

Or seriously sophisticated like the stunning Lucite table below.

In home decorating, Lucite furniture minimizes the visual footprint, so it is ideal for small spaces, or to visually create space when a large room is full of heavy furniture. It can combine with other materials, such as glass, wood, leather and metals.

Acrylic furniture often has a modern design, but it is also made in ornate, swirly shapes to pay homage to period furniture with a sassy touch of boldness, like these acrylic chairs.

From tiny end tables to magnificent dining tables and desks, Lucite tables offer a range of decorating ideas. An acrylic coffee table takes up next to nothing in visual space, and at the same time special patterned carpets show through.

Here’s a tinted acrylic desk design for a minimalist home office. We love the whimsy of the shapes of chandelier and chair design. Keep these pieces uncluttered for maximum effect.

Acrylic can be used for furniture, shelving, dishes, pitchers, and other kitchenware. It can be fashioned into vases, clocks, magazine holders, picture frames and other decorative accents. To glamorize a bathroom, acrylic boxes or canisters filled with cotton balls, tissues and guest soaps, make an elegant display in the bath, even if you don’t go so far as to have a Lucite bathtub!

Of course when we see a living room that is beautifully decorated with touches of light and white and spacey ambiance, like this one below, our immediate thought is that “that room needs a piano!” And of course in a room like this, we would imagine an acrylic piano.

Wouldn’t this space be gorgeous for a beautiful acrylic piano? Grand piano furniture is not a new concept. Pianos have been decorating living rooms of distinction for generations, but today we have the wonderful advent of pianos being fashioned from acrylic materials. Since grand pianos of yore were heavy dark instruments, many decorators and designers were reluctant to include pianos into their design for purely aesthetic reasons. Today is a different situation altogether. Lucite grand pianos are the rage and we are proud of our best selling “Aire” model which utilizes acrylic for its legs, lid, lyre and music stand. It creates the effect of a baby grand floating on air.

Aire™ by Euro Pianos

When Euro Pianos Naples had customers interested in transparent pianos, they often were disappointed in the six figure prices. It was then we decided to manufacture a quality crystal piano that was affordable. Bringing a new transparent piano to the marketplace required a lot of research into acrylic manufacturers, and modestly priced piano parts. Over months of intensive study, a team of specialists, and an engineer created the semi-transparent Euro Pianos baby grand “The Aire.”

The standard 5’2” polished-wood piano case can be ordered in black, white, mahogany and walnut colors.

There are several brands of transparent grand pianos which are beautiful, but none are as budget friendly as The Aire.

However, one brand is known as a leader in the high end luxury acrylics—and we can’t go without lauding Bluthner’s magnificent crystal pianos. This German piano maker not only has brought Lucid Pianos to the marketplace, but has been a risk-taking innovator of some of the most beautiful and glamorous instruments in the world.

Bluthner Lucid Pianos

In 2018 Bluthner explodes with new ideas once again with their Lucid Exo models. It is this kind of excitement that keep designers and decorators inspired to develop living spaces that truly are settings for these extraordinary art treasures that go beyond musical performance and furniture.

Well, now that you’ve seen the hot acrylic furniture of the 21^st Century, you might wonder how one takes care of it? For furniture this beautiful, people often think there has to be a hitch. What’s the drawback? Well, that’s more good news. There is none.

Acrylic furniture needs very little care aside from dusting and occasional cleaning. You should never use window cleaner, or glass cleaner or any product containing ammonia, as the chemical reaction will scratch or cloud the acrylic surface. There are actually acrylic cleaners that can be purchased online, and some do it yourself home concoctions with natural ingredients you can use. Or just hot, soapy water with a clean, soft cloth. Avoid using any rough materials that could scratch your surfaces. Dust your acrylic with a clean, soft cloth. A soft non abrasive cloth, like they use today for computer screens is a good choice.

If you should happen to get a scratch, since with time accidents can happen, don’t fret, as there are solutions. A small scratch can be resolved with an acrylic polishing cloth found online. Some serious damage in a move or something heavy dropped on the furniture, can be polished out professionally with a buffing wheel.

ABOUT EURO PIANOS NAPLES

A clear stool with a metal top and four legs.

February 26 2018

Modern, Clear and Acrylic Piano Benches

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

History of the Piano Bench

As long as there has been a clavichord, harpsichord or organ to play, there have been artists’ benches to seat the players. Antique piano stools and benches are sought for their historic value as well as their aesthetic beauty. The ball and claw feet ornate designs were often used, as well as lavish fabrics. decorative metals, needlepoint, embroidery and gilt.

In the 1860s the piano chair was created. Early piano chairs had three legs and a sculpted and heavily detailed back. There is a wide diversity of carved and artful chairs to be found in museums and tucked away in antique shops and attics.

It wasn’t until the 1870’s that the rectangular wood seat, that we know as the piano bench was introduced.

And it wasn’t until modern times that piano benches were sometimes manufactured by actual piano companies. And it’s still not the norm today. Benches were always a separate industry from the piano makers in the past, and still thrive independently today. It’s understandable because besides piano stools, there is a brisk business in footstools, dressing table stools, bed steps, sewing machine benches as well as designer benches for the entire home.

Between 1870 and 1891, a carpenter named Joshua Briggs created the screw-style piano stool. By the late 19^th century most middle class home had a piano or organ, so Briggs started a large scale operation that grew into a factory. He patented his portable screw stools and won awards and worldwide recognition.

Briggs produced a variety of styles in addition to his screw-style above. Some had compartments for holding sheet music. These antique stools can be found throughout the U.S. They are commonly identified by the paper label glued to the underside of the seat, if it survived.

The Modern Piano Bench Comes into its Own

If you browse our website, you might be astonished at the numbers of exciting new piano designs that are available. The standard piano silhouette that has survived since the first pianoforte began to evolve in the 20^th Century and continues to explode into new shapes, colors, and case materials as we progress in the 21^st Century.

The design revolution in the piano industry didn’t stop with just exciting new modern piano styles. No, the same modern esthetic eked into the design of the piano bench, which is an integral part of the visual beauty of the instrument and the room.

People are often amazed at the variety of benches available today. Often in the excitement of a piano purchase, the customer takes whatever bench is offered in the sale, but a little education in bench designs can enhance your choice for furniture in your home.

The Modern High End Piano Bench

The variety of contemporary benches available include some beauties available from the famous German piano builder, Sauter. Their “Tubus” adjustable piano bench designed by Peter Maly, is upholstered in leather with a chrome plated steel-tube frame that echoes the gently rounded designs of some of Sauter’s exclusive Maly-designed pianos.

TUBUS piano bench by Peter Maly

$2,900

You could imagine this piano bench with a Sauter piano like the magnificent Rondo Upright with its soft rounded edges and chrome trim.

Sauter Rondo upright piano

A piano bench with storage space for sheet music doesn’t have to be a boring hope-chest-style crate to sit on. Sauter has a piano bench for sale that oozes style and individuality. The “Unico” can be made to match your piano’s gloss, satin or waxed finish. It has solid brass handles and is height adjustable.

UNICO piano bench – available to order through Euro Pianos Naples

Sauter also sells the “Factus” bench designed by Peter Maly. It is available in black or white leather and has the clean, straight lines that echo today’s modern piano design. The metal plating can be done in high-gloss or matte chrome.

FACTUS piano bench by Peter Maly

$2,900

Sauter Vivace – more information about this piano here

This beautiful grand features steel leg construction and is detailed with inlays of stainless steel squares.

When shopping for piano stools and benches, it pays to remember what particular requirements you might have, including storage and piano bench height. Depending on the piano you choose or have already chosen, the piano bench dimensions should be in keeping with the instrument, with special attention of course for musicians that are extra short or long legged.

Living in the 21^st Century offers all sorts of technological advances. We found a hydraulic piano bench manufacturer who uses a superior pneumatic mechanism with compressed air (and not messy fluids) to facilitate height adjustments. Hidrau Model also offers this pneumatic bench in a duet piano bench, a whopping 43 inches wide, if you are giving lessons or play a lot of duets. A very nice studio bench.

A ‘Duet’ Bench, is generally between 33″ & 36″ wide. Other sizes are available but the width should be proportionate to the size of the instrument. A duet bench can be used with Grand Pianos, full size Upright pianos, or with any piano where you’d like two people to sit side by side. Teaching and Practice studios frequently buy such benches.

The upside of buying high-end products is that many sellers will customize the bench for you, even using your own fabric or leather choices to match your décor. Cushions can sometimes be added to benches where there are not cushioned seats, and height adjustments can sometimes be requested and custom ordered, if there is no movable seat. Like any other fine furniture dealers, sellers of pianos and their benches and stools frequently custom-accommodate the needs of designers and homeowners.

What’s Considered the Best Piano Bench?

There are numerous reputable piano bench brands, many with quality and designs that are difficult to match. But just as Steinway has imprinted its brand name on the piano industry, the products of Paul L. Jansen & Son have, for the past fifty years, been known as the standard to beat in piano benches. They boast a silent “Micro-A-Just” mechanism on the inside of the benches for raising and lowering them. They offer a choice of nine styles of bench legs, and a choice of an affordable vinyl or genuine leather, six wood finishes, all in the classic Jansen configurations in wood tops, padded tops and tufted padding tops. They have an array of other products, stools, hydraulics, metronomes, casters, etc. But the Jansen Bench is what people most remember.

The Affordable Modern Piano Bench and Stool

We like clean lines and found this to be the go-with-all modern piano bench. This bench in metal and faux leather, with a lot of pizzazz, is an economical answer for a budget.

This hardwood stool with its metal footrest might double as a barstool and piano stool because it’s adjustable, and good looking – especially for those pianos that have hardwood finishes instead of lacquered color or it can be used as a juxtaposition to an ultra modern piano.

Sometimes nothing will do but a stark industrial touch. We love cement floors with an oriental carpet – a kind of tasteful eclectic mix, and this adjustable little stool would be right at home in front of a modern piano, upright or grand.

You can always add your own touches to affordable benches. From the esthetic point of view, the choices of piano bench cushions, be in color, fabric or size, is a great way to throw in an accent color and make affordable furniture more comfy. Like any other furniture in your home, piano benches and stools are another reflection of the taste and style of the owner and should match the décor and thematic design you are going for.

The Unique Piano Bench

We’re always cheering on the buyers who want to operate outside the box with daring and flair. Some of the most beautiful and unusual pianos in the world are hard to imagine unless you have the courage of an innovator or a trailblazer. One of our favorite pianos of this ilk is the Pegasus made by Schimmel. It looks like a vehicle that could fly you off into the land of music, and as you can see, it comes with its own bench!

Other designers have found new and refreshing ways to seat their musicians, and we thought these ideas were fun. How about a wild and wooly ottoman?

Here’s a modern bench with beautiful lines that looks adjustable and comfortable as well.

And let us not forget the piano stool which can be as stylish and practical as any bench. We loved this modern duo, with its little three-legged designer stool after our own hearts.

People often ask if there is a difference between benches for grand pianos and uprights. In the traditional venues, shorter benches were generally made for upright pianos, and more substantial, heavier ones for grands. But in today’s market, one only has to appease the needs of the buyer and the esthetic appeal of the combo. Imagination beats out tradition in contemporary furniture of this century, so we like to encourage the unique as a way of enhancing the many joys of life’s variety and new adventures.

The Acrylic Piano Bench and Stool

Transparent pianos have been on the market for a while. They have the captivating crystal quality of light and space, which makes a grand piano look much less cumbersome in a modern setting than the traditional brown or black behemoth. The problem with these beautiful lucite pianos is that they carry a six figure price tag which is out of the range of many interested buyers.

As Euro Pianos customers continued to inquire after acrylic pianos, not being able to afford them, we decided to design our own premium affordable brand of semi-transparent instrument. We named it “The Aire” after the airiness that acrylic lends to a large piece of furniture, and indeed they seem to sit in space.

The lush crystal pianos of today have inspired new designs of benches and stools fashioned from Plexiglas, Lucite and acrylic. Euro Pianos, the designer of the acrylic Aire™ piano, has come out with a series of stool and lustrous benches that are little art treasures in themselves.

A popular model is a bench with acrylic legs. A three legged, adjustable stool that floats on air has become a popular item.

Acrylic Swivel Piano Stool with Cushion

20” H x 18” W x 13″ D

Maximum Seat Height – 24.5″

Minimum Seat Height – 19.5″

$1,400

Acrylic Swivel Piano Stool (no Cushion)

20” H x 18” W x 13″ D

Maximum Seat Height – 24.5″

Minimum Seat Height – 17.5″

$1,400

Almost any modern stool or bench can be glamorized with the addition of acrylic bench legs.

This padded piano bench might have looked fine with wooden legs, but a bench with Plexiglas legs just carries a lot more panache. Sometimes people switch out the legs on an old favorite bench to acrylic, just to update it.

Acrylic Piano Bench with Storage by Euro Pianos

Bench Dimensions:

Three legged stools are popular but we’re in love with the “Quadra” in all its simplicity.

It would look good in front of any modern piano. It’s saucy enough to be used as a matching end table (or two) in the room.

Modern Acrylic Piano Stool Quadra

Seat Height – 17.5″

$1,100

Acrylic is catching on. See our blog article on acrylic furniture HERE.

If you need help finding just the right bench give us a call. We consult on other products as well as our own so that you get a well-rounded and unbiased view. It’s our goal to meet the needs of piano customers and put smiles on their faces.

About Euro Pianos Naples

A view of the city skyline from across the water.

February 23 2018

Best Examples of Interior Design Principles in Miami, FL

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

This is the first of a series of blog articles on interior design within the major cities of the U.S. We wanted to explore the styles and ideas that designers and decorators use to exemplify the tastes and preferences of the various regions of America. We decided to start with a city close to our hearts, Miami, Florida.

Miami is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world. It has developed over the years as a versatile and enticing place to live, as well. The glorious weather, the ocean, and the beautiful homes and condominiums have beckoned snowbirds from the north as well as visitors from South America and Europe to embrace the same variegated lifestyles of Miami’s year-round residents. Not only does it boast the trendy nightlife of South Beach and the Art Deco District, but Little Havana and the exciting Calle Ocho, not to mention Lincoln Road and Wynwood, all offer fun and excitement. Miami Beach with its hotel-row of glamour, and Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, steeped in history and art, all have excitement to discover.

The reasons people decide on homes in Miami are many. Deep sea fishing, beautiful sand beaches, harbors to park yachts, year round golf and tennis, boat and auto shows, major league sports teams are just the beginning. Miami boasts a symphony orchestra and ballet company, as well as many museums, art galleries, live theaters, and outdoor parks, and it is in close proximity to the Everglades. Their international airport makes it easy to get around, and it is known as the cruise capital of the world. There is no shortage of art festivals, wine festivals, food festivals, and music festivals. You could call Miami the city of festivals. The restaurants are world class, and the Cuban influence in food, drink and music spice things up.

Miami is a colorful, cosmopolitan city, reveling in its ethnic diversity. Its sunny climate and natural beauty continue to make it a prime tourist destination. On islands offshore, east of Miami across Biscayne Bay, are the luxurious resorts of Miami Beach, Surfside, and Bal Harbour. These communities, as well as fashionable Key Biscayne to the south, connect with the mainland by causeways, and offer even more deluxe residences in both high rise condos and luxury homes.

Best Examples of Interior Design Principles in Miami, FL

As a result, interior designers and decorators are in no short supply. Miami lends a thriving creative energy to their output.

We love how Miami features pianos in their homes as well as in public venues all over the ciry. Here’s a Euro Pianos “Aire” baby grand photographed at Icon Brickell, the Fortune 500 Architectural & Design firm located at the epicenter of Miami’s business and financial district.

Aire™ semi-transparent baby grand piano at Brickell

What Is Interior Design?

Interior designers are specifically schooled for dealing with the architectural, spatial, and design planning all the way from initial floor plans right down to placing the last accent couch pillow. They are schooled in color, fabric, furniture, computer-design, and architecture as well as usually doing apprenticeships with established companies before setting up their own shops.

These are highly trained professionals who must register and pass exams in some states. In Florida, interior designers who work on commercial projects must be licensed, but not for residential purposes. Interior designers often work closely with architects and contractors to help achieve the look the client desires, whether that client is designing a residential home, an office, a hotel, or any other interior space.

An interior designer can be actively involved in the physical renovation of a space, rebuilding elements, adding walls, etc. as well as sitting with the client on more detailed selections of color, fabric, style, and art. Their training is a soup to nuts package, and very versatile.

From the School of Interior Design:

“The surface of things gives enjoyment, their interiority gives life.”
—Piet Mondrian

Interior designers give life to the interior spaces we inhabit. They shape, organize, furnish, and adorn the insides of buildings to reflect our personal and cultural aspirations. Today’s interior designers do not simply decorate. They consider meaning and identity, function and purpose, and issues pertaining to health and safety. They work on wide range of interiors, from residential to corporate projects, designing spaces within new buildings and finding ways to adapt and re-purpose existing structures.

What Is Interior Decorating?

Interior decorators do not necessarily go through formal training, like designers, because their focus is an aesthetic approach to an already existing space. They don’t usually participate in the structural or renovation projects that might precede the actual decorating of a room(s), since often any structural work is complete before they come on board. They do however work with furniture makers, upholsterers, and other industry-related teams, depending on what is needed. They have contacts and resale licenses to accomplish the little miracles of finding the right item for the right room.

They have likely been schooled in various programs or courses on the principles of design, color and fabric, furniture layouts, styles and more. They are dedicated to the task of helping clients decide on a style, choose furniture and accessorize. Frequently they are hired to update or redo a space already decorated but possibly dated.

Example: Pairing high ticket items with budget items for creative visual appeal

We liked the way this Aire™ baby grand’s crystal sheen intertwines with that of the chandelier above, lending a feeling of warmth, elegance and intimacy to the room.

Should You Hire A Designer Or A Decorator?

If you are planning on major renovations involving demolition or structural additions, like walls, plumbing, doors or windows, it would make sense to hire a designer with the savvy to work with blueprints, architects and building codes, etc. They can take it from the top to the finished room.

On the other hand, if you are seeking someone who is a stylist with great taste and innovative ideas to work on a room that just needs a facelift, an interior decorator can be a godsend. Choosing paint color alone is a major skill. Wallpaper, furnishing, window treatments, lighting, are all important in the overall finished look, and a good decorator can get you there with flair.

In the real world, clients usually spot a room(s) they like and want the name of who inspired that décor, so the right choice for you might be either a designer or a decorator because they ultimately are capable of doing the same things if there is no renovation or structure changes.

On the other hand, an interior decorator with a lot of experience in the field may have a coterie of contractors and architects to confer with, so it helps to interview and research your choices no matter how you come by them.

How Design Principles Are Used In Miami Florida

UNITY

To understand interior design, you need to know the elements that comprise the art and skill of designing. The principle of UNITY might also be thought of as “harmony” and is the force that pulls all of the other design principles together. When successful, the elements should complement, that is, complete each other and visually “fit together” in such a way that their style and composition seem inevitable.

Unity can be achieved by a solid knowledge of space and alignment. Similarity of color, pattern and textures, with groupings and repetition of shapes and colors are just a few of the ways to unify an interior design arrangement. Variety is the complement to unity and is needed to create visual interest. Without unity, a room is chaotic and without merit. Without variety it is dull and uninteresting. Too much unity creates monotony, too much variety creates chaos.

In the room above, the curved architectural elements are echoed in the curves of acrylic chairs and dining table legs. To add variety, the sofa pieces and coffee table are straight lines and that makes the eye travel from shape to shape. The color white unifies the room as well. But note that the camel color of the coffee table picks up the camel of the indoor furniture as well as the camel colored walls of the wet bar. It’s subtle but well planned and pleasing to the eye, without knowing quite why or how something so simple is sophisticated.

BALANCE

The design principle of BALANCE is another way distributing elements of equal visual weight to achieve a visual equilibrium. Balance is normally sought by using one of three techniques: The first is Symmetry. In using symmetrical technique, the room is divided into two equal halves centered from a central point (real or imagined) and both the halves are equally balanced to be almost mirror images

This, to many people, gives a feeling of calm to the living space. Symmetry is a very common “trick” to calm the human brain. We seem to like the visual of all things being equal. Although there are a few elements not “mirrored” above (the painting, the drape, the glassware), the weight of the matching chandeliers and the table and chair placement throw this into visual symmetry. Symmetrical designs are always pleasing, if not occasionally boring. Asymmetrical designs are bolder and can bring real visual interest and movement

Another balancing technique is using Asymmetry. In Asymmetrical, any number of disparate elements can be used by keeping an imaginary central axis as the focal point. Though asymmetrical balance is not as simple to imagine as symmetrical, the results can be very gratifying, more natural and energetic when compared to the former. Fine art is normally encouraged to represent the asymmetrical, so it is not static and predictable. In art, the eye should travel, and in asymmetrical design takes the eye on a voyage as well.

The focal point of this room might be where the green wall stops, off center. The objects are then placed in asymmetrical relation to each other, but with the wonderful “echoes” of clustered objects (wall & table items) and color (green echoed in table items) and balance of weight with the black rug. It makes a delightful visual.

The third balancing act is the Radial balance which involves a central piece focal point (like a round dining table) from which all other elements seem to radiate to arrange themselves in in a radial pattern.

The concept of radial balance can be used in a lot of ways, just using circular shapes, spiral staircases, round ottomans, round coffee tables, etc. It’s just another design trick in the bag of goodies to choose from.

You’ll note in the living room above that the radial elements have been chosen to enhance the curve of the windowed wall that shows the outdoor scenery, balancing nicely.

RHYTHM

The principle of Rhythm is associated with all of the arts. Notably music. In fine art, the eye moves around the canvas, connecting the elements. This creates a kind of rhythm and tempo between values, light/dark, thin/wide, bright/bland, etc. A wonderful example of artistic rhythm is in the 1931 Grant Wood painting “Young Corn.” The rhythm of the painting is self- explanatory. It fairly leaps off the canvas. You can see the use of repetitive elements, and flowing elements, progressive (in size) elements, and alternating elements. From a design point of view, this painting has it all.

Likewise in interior design, there are methods for creating desired rhythms, connecting elements like the musical beats in a song or the visual elements in a painting. Unlike pattern, which demands consistency, rhythm relies on variety.

The easiest method is Repetitive or Regular Rhythms (not unlike the repeating chorus of a song). If a design uses similar sized and shaped elements, with defined spaces around them, a movement of rhythm is created. Unlike pattern, which demands consistency, rhythm relies on variety.

The repeated use of the design elements like color, texture and pattern or any other attributes or items in an orderly way.

Alternation creates rhythm by alternating two or more elements. You could even create a particular negative space between items that would force the eye to see the space as an item itself. In the room below, the alternating colors and boxes built into the wall force the eye to travel. By keeping the color simple, the varied and many shapes stand out, with the few colors becoming conduits for eye travel. Notice how the coffee table echoes the colors of the wall boxes. The red item becomes a focal point in the room without even trying. (see Emphasis below

EMPHASIS

In Progressive Rhythm, elements are arranged ascending or descending based or their size, color gradient or any other distinctive characteristic.

Emphasis, as the name suggests, is a principle of creating an area of the room that is visually dominant and commands attention. This is often achieved by contrast. (see below). It occurs when a central piece of art or furniture is the attention grabber of a particular space. Elements like color, pattern and texture are used to emphasize a particular focal point. Done properly, that focal point dominates the rest of the décor items and pulls the room together.

The focal point of this space is the acrylic grand piano. Even the winding rail of the staircase seems to be embracing the instrument, framing it. The lines of the stair rail and the chandelier echoes the architecture of the piano lid.

CONTRAST

Contrast refers to the difference in the brightness or color between objects differentiating them. Contrast is provided by color, form and space.

Color can be contrasted as easily as using black and white without actual color. Very dramatic design results can be achieved with contrast. In this room, the red wall emphasizes the tall ceilings of the structure.

Contrast can be achieved by combining two or more forms; for example one can combine a circular mirror and a rectangular sofa to balance and distribute the attention between both items. Take a look at a nice mix of contrasts.

One can also achieve contrast in a living space by dividing the available space efficiently into usable positive and negative spaces. Sometimes less is more.

SCALE AND PROPORTION

The principles of Scale and Proportion ensure that items in a room look like they belong to each other. Be it the size, dimension, shape or color of the objects, a harmony should be established between them and a proportion has to be maintained. Good sense would tell anyone that a huge overstuffed sofa wouldn’t use a tiny coffee table. A tiny room wouldn’t be full of huge furniture, and likewise a huge room wouldn’t be furnished with tiny pieces.

Here’s a large room that isn’t full of furniture, but the design elements (screens and art, color and textures) keep it in proportion—in spite of the scarcity of furniture.

PATTERNS, TEXTURE & DETAILS

Pattern is the uniform repetition of any of the elements of art or any combination thereof. Anything can be turned into a pattern through repetition. Some classic patterns are spirals, grids, weaves.

Designer frequently find pleasing Patterns and Textures in fabrics which can be the basis for an entire decorative inspiration, or focal point of a room. As you can see in the monochromatic bedroom below, pattern and texture has been used for the entire decorating focus. This is bold design for the client who wants singular and dramatic rooms.

Details add life to any overall interior design. By adding their own distinctive feature to the overall composition, decorators sometimes become known for their style in details alone. Once you are sure that you have achieved all of the above mentioned principles, it’s time for details to take over and beautify the place further.

Just for fun, here’s a Yinka Shonibare Victorian room (not in Miami!) that went gung ho with Patterns. This art installation certainly wouldn’t be most clients’ choice, but you can’t say that pattern can’t be memorable!

Miami Interiors

Now that we’ve reviewed what principles are applied in the interior design industry, let’s take a look at some of the results of the Floridian homes around Miami. See if you can spot the principles we discussed earlier in these beautifully crafted rooms.

The shapes and textures in this living room are breathtaking. Note the detailing on the acrylic staircase, the wonderful shapes of the sofa, coffee table and the art table in the background. Patterned fabric pillow and throw complete the so-rich-I-can-taste-it designs of this elegant room.

We’d love to add a baby grand to this ensemble. (that is the best part of interior designing for us). Imagine how the black or white Aire™ by Euro Pianos would look in this room, echoing the acrylics in play.

Aire™ Acrylic Piano

Below is an understated living room, using three contrasting colors in muted shades that create a peaceful and ultra luxe sophistication. We love how the artwork and the dark grey rug complement each other.

Given our druthers, we’d probably install the little Story & Clark “Manhattan 150” baby grand in this room. It’s got the same clean and simple lines this room demands.

Here’s a little Miami apartment that has all the design interest one could ask for. Using a white backdrop, this designing artist went wild with surprises in color and pattern that delight the eye. Check out the fantastic little dining chairs on acrylic legs.

That wonderful green alcove and bar shelf reminds us of a little Peter Maly designed piano called “Vitrea” with cool front panels of frosted colored glass subtly set into shades of dark or light oak, Reminiscent of fine Venetian art glass, Vitrea catches the light, making it unique, surprising and memorable, hip enough for this unique space.

To see more designs and pianos, and information on decorating, go to our BLOG and read our educational and entertaining offerings. We will be back with more design articles on other cities, so watch that space! Let us know what you think and would like to see.

ABOUT EURO PIANOS NAPLES

A large boat in the water near some mountains.

February 13 2018

The Luxury Yacht & Pianos

Sunny R Under The Lid Piano Blog pianos and interior design

Whether you own a yacht, build them or lease them, I think you’d agree that a yacht is the capstone of luxury in anyone’s book. More languorous than airplanes, yachts exemplify the lifestyle of people who have the money and time to enjoy life to the fullest. And when the sun isn’t shining on deck, chances are, those people are inside a lavish main salon or a stateroom suite listening to music.

Luxury pianos and luxury yachts are serendipitous. Each complements the other in unexpected ways. With the stunning new technology available in the new invisible player piano equipment, today’s designer pianos play themselves with a library of over 1900 choices, so a real live virtuoso doesn’t have to be on board, though you’ll probably be hard put to tell the difference with the quality of a PianoDisk IQ system installed.

The Amaryllis, a 257 ft. custom motor superyacht (2011) was designed by the acclaimed German shipyard, Abeking and Rasmussen.

In their glamourous Amaryllis piano lounge, they have installed an imposing ebony Pegasus grand piano designed by Dr. Luigi Colani for Schimmel.

Schimmel Pegasus on a yacht

With the same flair, the Phoenix2, a 295 ft. motorized superyacht (2010) built by Lursen was refitted by Andrew Lynch in 2011 with new extraordinary designs.

In keeping with the 1930’s New York Art Deco theme of their décor, their Deco Steinway grand piano reflects the bold theme in Phoenix2’s formal saloon.

Aristotle Onassis’s legendary 325 ft. Christina O is an iconic yacht that hosted some of the most famous people on the planet, from politicians like Churchill, JFK and Eva Peron to movie stars like John Wayne and Liz & Richard. These are only a few of his A List friends. Its long history is as colorful and fascinating as its owner’s.

Onassis and his daughter are reported to have played duets at the piano on board the Christina O, a piano that was named after its most famous player, Maria Callas.

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World renowned Iraqui British architect Dame Zaha Hadid designed some of the most beautiful buildings of our century and she also rendered designs for an amazing yacht.

When Euro Pianos Naples saw these designs, we couldn’t help but be inspired and awed by the creative work. These marvelous interiors simply beg for a piano.

Bluthner Hive Grand Piano

While researching the big yachts like Microsoft’s Paul Allen’s the Octopus and the Christina O, I noticed that the installed pianos were often Steinways which were once the hallmark of luxury pianos. European piano makers such as Fazioli, Sauter, Bluthner and Schimmel (maker of the Pegasus above) have gained recognition for superior excellence and moved into the luxury spotlight with ingenious designs. Increasingly their extraordinary handmade performance pianos have begun to find their rightful dominion in grand residences and performance halls as well as on superyachts the world over.

Here are some other models that jump to mind when I think of yachts:

The Bluthner Kandinsky grand piano

Fazioli Marco Polo

The Bluthner grand piano designed by Poul Hennigsen

The Fazioli Gold Leaf grand piano

The Fazioli Tamo Burl grand piano

The Bosendorfer Artisan inlaid grand piano

The Sauter Ambiente grand piano designed by Peter Maly

The Fazioli Aria grand piano which was specifically designed for use on a yacht by NYT Line and Philippe Gendre.

Euro Pianos Naples services clients with yachts. We always are thrilled to be able to introduce innovative, complementary piano designs.

You don’t need a 300 foot yacht to accommodate a grand piano, or even a beautiful vertical piano. Anything bigger than 80 feet can accommodate an instrument, if some thought and planning is put into it. If you have ideas, and the desire for a piano on your yacht, we will consult with you and supply ideas. When you consider that people incorporate pianos in modest spaces on land, it is perfectly feasible to add a piano to a small yacht or boat-sized craft.

For the smaller spaces, consider a baby grand piano or one of the striking new Sauter verticals designed by Peter Maly.

Sauter Pure Upright Piano

Sauter Rondo Upright Piano

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 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.

pianos and interior design

The Benefits Of Owning A Piano

Physical Benefits:

Intellectual Benefits:

Spiritual & Psychological Benefits:

So, Where Are You Going To Put It?

Prioritizing

Trading Clutter For What Matters

Finding The Odd Spots In Your Home

Don’t Ignore The Corners!

So What’s The Best Piano For A Small Space?

RONDO Upright by Sauter

PURE 2000 Upright by Sauter

VITREA Upright by Sauter

Manhattan 150 by Story & Clark

Baby Grand F156 by Fazioli

ABOUT EURO PIANOS NAPLES

So, What’s New?

SAUTER, PURE WHITE UPRIGHT PIANO

Sauter Concent Upright Piano

Schimmel i115 Upright

Schimmel C169 baby grand

The Aire™ by Euro Pianos

ABOUT EURO PIANOS NAPLES

ABOUT EURO PIANOS NAPLES

History of the Piano Bench

The Modern Piano Bench Comes into its Own

The Modern High End Piano Bench

What’s Considered the Best Piano Bench?

The Affordable Modern Piano Bench and Stool

The Unique Piano Bench

The Acrylic Piano Bench and Stool

About Euro Pianos Naples

What Is Interior Design?

What Is Interior Decorating?

Example: Pairing high ticket items with budget items for creative visual appeal

Should You Hire A Designer Or A Decorator?

How Design Principles Are Used In Miami Florida

UNITY

BALANCE

RHYTHM

EMPHASIS

CONTRAST

SCALE AND PROPORTION

PATTERNS, TEXTURE & DETAILS

Miami Interiors

ABOUT EURO PIANOS NAPLES

About Euro Pianos Naples:

Interested in our pianos?