Bob's your uncle!
It is a British colloquialism similar to the term voilà!
Plus, it's fun to say!
Bob's your uncle!
Bob's your uncle!
Bob's your uncle!
It sums up this experience rather well...
My family fell in love with this piano when we saw it on Wisconsin Craigslist!
So much so, that we asked the gentleman who was selling it if he would take payments. Not only did he allow us to do so, but he also gave us two bottles of raspberry wine that he made himself!
Yay! Wine!
A year later and the piano was ours!
If anyone in Illinois needs a good piano mover, let me know!
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I had contemplated painting it, as I have mentioned here in the past. However, it just didn't seem right.
Though it needed...something.
Instead, we drank the homemade raspberry wine and pondered...
...and pondered...
A year passed.
I tried to ignore the big brown blob in the Music Room, yet it mocked me.
It was beautiful but it could be so much more.
Should I paint it?
White? Grey?
I turned to Facebook for inspiration...
So many creative friends there. Surely, someone had something?
I was right!
Upon the advice of a friend, I merely gilded the foliate details with Rub N Buff in Gold Leaf.
That's it! It cost less than $5.00 and an hour of my time!
I also wiped the piano with lavender essential oil and rubbed coconut oil on it, then buffed it.
Today, I will paint the wings and wire them to hang above the piano.
The gilded piano stool looks as if it were made for this piano!
The tutorial for the stool can be found here.
I have to admit, this piano was intimidating but it just may be my favorite makeover!
I used a stiff bristled brush to get the gilding paste into the details.
Rub N Buff retails for approximately $5.00 per tube. I used 2/3 of the tube. A little goes a long way!
Be certain to use a small amount at a time, as it dries out quickly.
Like Frosty the Snowman's hat, the paint brought the piano to life!
Happy Birthday!
And there you have it!
Who's your uncle?
Why, Bob's your uncle! Of course!
xo
Andie
That's MARVELLOUS, Andie! I was going to suggest -- or maybe I did when you showed this to us before -- going over the entire case with One-Part Turpentine, One Part White Vinegar and One Part Boiled Linseed Oil. Rub that in gently-but-firmly, then buff away any excess with a series of clean white rags made of T-shirt material. After it "cures' for a week or two, you then apply a thin coat of Saint's Lavender-Scented Furniture Wax (if you can still get it!) or Butcher's Wax and buff the life out of it. Repeat that process twice more, and ... Bob's your uncle! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou have virtually refinished the piece.
What you have done with Rub 'n Buff, however is far more inspired. REALLY beautiful.
Now, does the instrument SOUND anywhere near as good as it LOOKS?
Wonderful piece Andie, and so happy you were the fortunate one to take it home with you. Adding all your beauty just gave it life all over again.
ReplyDeleteAgain another beautiful listed piece that you always seem to find and we here in Southern Ca, have a harder time finding, pieces seem to go as fast as they list.
Xx
Dore
Andie you could not have done a more beautiful job refinishing this gorgeous piano and bringing it to life. It is so much fun to see what you find for your home. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
A New Gallery in Town!
Oh, Andie, the gilding is perfect!
ReplyDeleteWe use that term a lot - especially Bob's niece and nephew -they even had t-shirts made that said that! LOL
ReplyDeleteYous done good, my litl friend. GOOD! Richard from My Old Historic House
ReplyDeleteI meant to add: I wouldn't change the position of those wings. Instead, I would gild them and leave them exactly where they are now. They look as though they belong with the piano.
ReplyDeleteAndie, it's a beauty! This was the perfect solution, and the oils certainly brought out the grain of the wood.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
That just made the piano! Perfect, love it. It looks so much better.
ReplyDeleteAs a piano player and a lover of your home, this post made me jump up and down and clap and squeal. Great job! Inspiring as always. How does it sound? Anyone playing it?????
ReplyDeleteSo glad you pursued this option! That wood is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out beautifully! I don't think paint could have possibly looked any better! The piece is so ornate and unusual - I love it! Hugs, Leena
ReplyDeleteIs that piano a Chickering?
ReplyDeleteThat made the piano GRAND
ReplyDelete