Want to see our kitchen island? I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE IT. *video*
This is part 1… here is: two, three, four, five, six, seven
Last summer, I saw a posting on Craigslist.
I went to show Paul, and he said– we are definitely not getting a piano.
This is exactly what I was hoping he would say, because who does not love being the one to reveal an exciting plot twist?
I shouted– SURPRISE!
We are DEFINITELY getting a piano!
I thrust my fist into the air— to indicate action and piano-getting.
I said— AT DAWN WE RIDE.
Then I marched up and down the street with my gong, announcing— Here’ye! Here’ye! I SHALL HAVE ALL OF THE GIANT FANCY THINGS.
Also, for the record, only someone who does not read my blog would mistake this for a piano. CLEARLY, this is our kitchen island.
I explained my idea to Paul… at length… which took about five seconds.
Here it is, for your consideration.
IDEA:
Acquire item of giant fanciness.
Put the giant fanciness in the kitchen.
The End.
I guess I did not explain it right, because Paul said – don’t you think a piano in the kitchen might be a little bit… much?
This confused me– a little bit much?
No. I think it will be a LOT much… much like myself.
Paul thought about this. Then he went back and rifled through his rolodex of anticlimactic responses.
He said – well, it’s an interesting idea.
Let’s think about it for a little while.
Stalemate. After impasse. After deadlock.
Fortunately, I am trained for this: this entire house project has been an extended drill session where I’ve eschewed all reasonable housewares and set fire to anything from Homegoods.
And ultimately, I guess Paul forgot to ask himself the one really, really, really important question: If this piano exists, DO I THINK VICTORIA WILL CHOOSE ANYTHING ELSE?
April 14, 2015 @ 10:27 am
OMG – why didn’t I think about a piano in my kitchen for an island!!! I think that is a fantastic idea & free at that – FREE is the best. I can hardly wait to see the finished island. I love your blogs & look forward to reading it every Wednesday & occasionally on Tuesday. Keep up the good work. (I’m so jealous!!!)
April 14, 2015 @ 10:27 am
I never thought for a minute it would be less than brilliant!! Also, PERFECT!!!
April 14, 2015 @ 10:28 am
You are so funny! I love the part about marching up and down the street shouting Here Ye! Here Ye… I love when something truly makes me laugh out loud!! And I adore the piano as an island. You have such a great imagination!
April 14, 2015 @ 10:29 am
Man, those are some big-a$$ dowels for the panic legs.
April 15, 2015 @ 4:08 pm
I was amazed by those, too!
April 14, 2015 @ 10:29 am
That piano is a thing of beauty! Will you take out the piano workings for storage, will you put fabulous marble top on it with and ogee edge, that might be the greatest kitchen island in the history of kitchens.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:29 am
Well, yes- it is quite handsome, and it will make a good-looking island. But, but….something in me is a little sad to see this instrument used thusly. I know- it’s utterly obsolete and would otherwise be doomed, but still. I remember a million years ago when an old Episcopal church in Manhattan was converted into a disco and everyone swooned at how marvelous an idea it was. I stood aside and felt its lost dignity, imagined the weddings, the baptisms, the services in spring that it had held. Ah well, time marches on….
April 14, 2015 @ 10:32 am
I used to walk by that church/disco every day (Limelight, yes?) and feel the world become a little less enlightened each time. But then I tend to the melodramatic.
April 15, 2015 @ 9:25 am
Tattycoram!! I LOVED you in ‘Little Dorrit’! 😉
I have to agree with you and Katie. Having taken 4 years of piano lessons in my childhood I respect and admire the profound skill and time it takes to create a musical work of art. Such beauty and grace surely should not be wasted on potatoes and onions?
Truth be told, I almost fainted when I saw the “kitchen island”.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:42 am
I have to admit I was thinking the same thing myself.
April 14, 2015 @ 12:50 pm
I’m almost crying at the fate of this poor, beautiful piano. I’ve loved the story of the mirror but this completely breaks my heart – I can only say please rethink it – an instrument so beautiful should not lose it’s dignity.
April 15, 2015 @ 1:47 am
My first thought…… please don’t take the workings out! It would break my heart.
April 14, 2015 @ 3:44 pm
This makes me sad. I’d never be able to convert a grand piano that could be repaired, so matter how beautiful the cabinet is.
April 17, 2015 @ 10:57 am
with u Pj …. love music…. love old instruments… don’t like ripping them apart, when they need tuning or just a little maintenance…. crazy. and I’m updating my old 1893 house as well. still wouldn’t use a wonderfully old piano of a kitchen Island… sad.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:30 am
PIANO legs. Stupid auto correct
April 14, 2015 @ 10:30 am
I know someone who turned a square piano into a chicken coop. I prefer your solution. If you need thematic books for your new kitchen island, I highly recommend Madeline Goold’s Mr. Langshaw’s Saure Piano: The Story of the First Pianos and HowThey cAused a Cultural Revolution. She tracks down the history of a Broadwood piano–that’s the one Frank Churchill secretly gave Jane Fairfax in Austen’s Emma. Here’s a review to whet your appetite: http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703932904574510623644044770
April 14, 2015 @ 10:32 am
You must be over the moon with that find!
Where can I get a Paul?
April 14, 2015 @ 10:35 am
yay! A video with dancing at the end!!! The last vid had only a high five and I said to myself “if I don’t see dancing next time, I will finally register and comment to complain!”
So I finally registered to comment and commend. I love your words, your ideas and most of all, your dancing.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:35 am
Gorgeous! Of course it’s a kitchen island!!!! I read this aloud to my husband who is soon to undergo hip replacement surgery and he laughed out loud!!! What great pre-surgery therapy you provided!!! Like others, I can’t wait to see it in the kitchen.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:36 am
That is pure Victoria genius. No doubt the blogosphere will go crazy with envy at such brilliance. Even if they have long been riding the Instagram train and REGULARLY post cute adorable photos of their pets. Who clearly are not as cute or adorable as Elvis.
I think the only Fancy Sparkly thing Paul is into is you. You’re quite enough, all by yourself.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:36 am
Who in their right mind wouldn’t want this beautiful piano for an island??!!! The legs are beautiful! I wish you would think about writing a series of books for little girls. They need to learn to express themselves and think outside the box.
April 14, 2015 @ 12:01 pm
Brilliant on YOUR part!! Excellent idea….
April 14, 2015 @ 10:37 am
That man loves you with all his heart! ps: those console pianos also make into fantastic desks.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:37 am
What a fantastic idea!! Love it and love your crazy joy for life!
April 14, 2015 @ 10:39 am
You should turn the scroll-y music holder into a recipe book holder or something.
April 14, 2015 @ 11:28 am
What a fabulous idea!
April 14, 2015 @ 10:39 am
Really looking forward to seeing this most unusual of kitchen island choices arranged in your home! I’m pretty sure you don’t have a box that you think outside of–I think your creative thoughts are already universe-sized!
April 14, 2015 @ 10:41 am
Fantastic! Just the legs are worth the trouble and more!
April 14, 2015 @ 10:43 am
It’s big. It’s fancy. It’s beautiful and the top will be useful…….How will you protect the finish? Does it add to your storage? Does that matter at all? As usual your joy is contagious. Paul is fun fellow so glad you guys found one another. A perfect fit.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:43 am
A piano?!