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?
Janet Lomajan
April 14, 2015 @ 10:09 pm
I LOVE IT! You love everything I love and are doing all the things I would love to do and acquiring all the things I would love to acquire! Hubby and I hit 60 and he announced “DON’T FIND ANY MORE HEAVY FURNITURE” “I can’t lift it anymore!” . So I am forced to live through your acquisitions. =D Your KITCHEN PIANO, therefore, is my KITCHEN PIANO. Thanks!
Thanks, Janet
Karen
April 14, 2015 @ 10:20 pm
PURE GENIUS!!! You are like the Albert Einstein of decorating! No one understood him at first either because he was so incredibly BRILLANT !
Kiki
April 16, 2015 @ 6:28 am
Karen, you just made my day too! I have heard of Einstein an awful lot, I love him, I’m right now in the city of his very wonderful museum (Bern, Switzerland)…. but in future I won’t be able to think of him without thinking of VEB at the same time. Such incredible fun! Tks.
Linda Joy
April 14, 2015 @ 10:32 pm
I am SO happy for you! All the fancy things should be yours as long as you continue to tell your story. I am struggling with our 10th, or 11th renovation home and feeling stressed (my jaw isn’t closing correctly now and I do wonder if I will be eating solid food tomorrow), so your bring me hope and we also use some of the same tactics for moving through projects . . . .
Anyway, soldier on, seek and find!
Alice
April 14, 2015 @ 10:36 pm
I immediately went to craigslist to see if I could find one. I did!!! You made a huge score. It is beautiful. Check out this one and the value you scooped up!
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/atq/4975692908.html
Shanna
April 14, 2015 @ 11:01 pm
I risked waking my sleeping babes to watch this. So worth it.
Olga Pinkoson
April 14, 2015 @ 11:04 pm
I love your kitchen island! Can you please look for my email I’ve sent you a message with pictures of awesome black French buffet. I need a advice on what should I do with it. Thank you :)))
Laura
April 14, 2015 @ 11:14 pm
BEAUTIFUL!!! But will it be high enough for you tall people to work at without getting all hunched and miserable?
Cindy
April 14, 2015 @ 11:38 pm
Please post a video of you and Paul dancing at least once a week. If there happens to be a piano/kitchenisland in the video, that is fine too. Thank you.
Love, The Internet
Linda D
April 14, 2015 @ 11:53 pm
Out of curiosity, I Googled Emerson square grand piano. Apparently a restored instrument goes for $29,000. http://antiquepianoshop.com/product/148/emerson-victorian-square-grand-piano/
Rebecca
April 15, 2015 @ 4:20 pm
I am sad that they destroyed this beautiful musical instrument.
Pj
April 15, 2015 @ 10:38 pm
I found several professional restorers who would PAY for such an amazing piano & even have it shipped at their own expense. Not every old piano is worth restoration, but this one could be worth $25-50K after restoration. I learned that the Emerson is considered one of the finest pianos ever made, that almost all old pianos have cracked sound boards, but also that sound boards CAN be restored. Even the keyboard, strings, & harp can be repaired. Yes, it would be expensive, but a professional restorer would be investing his own parts & labor, which would be recovered when the piano is sold. VEB could probably outfit her whole kitchen—including another find for an amazing island—if she decides to have this piano preserved by selling it to a professional restorer.
Millie
April 20, 2015 @ 8:48 am
Being a musician, I hate to see any piano destroyed. Two possibilities: at the very least, remove the top (save it intact) and cover the piano with a scratch-proof acrylic sheet so that you can see the inner workings of this instrument while you are cooking. Or, even better (way, way better), if someone will pay thousands of $$ for it, sell it and commission a cabinet maker to build a cabinet that looks just like it, replacing the instrument area with deep drawers. You would still have a wonderful GFT, a piano would be saved, and you would most likely have some money left over for more Craigslist acquisitions. Win, Win, Win!
marybeth
April 15, 2015 @ 12:02 am
Your fabulousness is amazing. Thank god you married a man who understands to just do it. I NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU FIND THESE THINGS!!!
Janet
April 15, 2015 @ 2:27 am
Four pages of comments and a free grand piano kitchen island. If your existence does not feel validated by now then you’re hopeless. Congratulations on your continuing ingenuity!
Kate
April 15, 2015 @ 3:29 am
OMG! What an inspired idea… just when I think Ive seen everything on every website, something truly cool. Rock on sister!!!
KnittingKittens
April 15, 2015 @ 7:36 am
You are brilliant! It looks great and what an inspired idea! The video was faboo!
Nancy from RI
April 15, 2015 @ 8:52 am
I love you guys!!!! lol
Tanya
April 15, 2015 @ 9:19 am
That piano is a gorgeous work of art!! Perfect for a kitchen island! Can’t wait to see it in there. LOVED your video and the music!
I’m new to reading your blog and am quickly becoming a huge fan. I love your writing style and all the energy (I mean hyperness) you put into it. I’d kill for an once of what you’re on!
Jamie
April 15, 2015 @ 9:47 am
Ok…just watched the video and confirmed my worst fears; a tragic waste of some child’s future as a concert pianist. Watching the video I felt the urge to retch. This piano deserves to be restored to it’s former glory and donated to an orphanage. At least, if I had the funds, this is what I would do ( and adopt all the world’s abandoned children ). Several years ago I was at a music store buying a music stand and was regaled by a young man playing with such skill that I thought that he had to have been classically trained, but, after speaking with him for several minutes, I was made aware that he could not afford lessons or a piano but that it was his passion in life to attain one. THIS is what pianos were made for; expressions of the heart!
Roslyn
April 15, 2015 @ 10:38 am
if I were going to restore a non-working piano for an underprivileged child at an orphanage, (as opposed to getting a good, working piano and having it tuned,) I would not do the orphans the disservice of giving them a square piano. they are considered poor musical instruments.
Pj
April 15, 2015 @ 10:43 pm
Not all square pianos are considered inferior. This Emerson is actually a rare piano that would fetch top dollar after being professionally restored. (I actually did some research!) Some shops even buy & ship antique grand pianos at their expense, & sell the restored pianos to concert pianists.
Jamie
April 21, 2015 @ 8:33 am
So very sad that you have not the emotional or mental acuity to understand that any piano is better than NO piano for a child. Tragic, actually.
Val LaBore
April 15, 2015 @ 11:35 am
I love it! A kitchen piano! How ennovative!
Val
Jamie
April 21, 2015 @ 8:38 am
Yes! Do love me some ‘Innovation’ ……as opposed to “ennovation” ,but, NOT with a work of art. 🙁
Diane @ Stoney Creek
April 15, 2015 @ 11:40 am
I just found your website and I love it! The antique piano as an island is AWESOME!
I think you are in the Mid-Atlantic area and I just wanted to ask if you’ve been to Second Chance in Baltimore City. They have a lot of antique wall pieces like I think you’re looking for. They don’t show much on their website, you really have to go there to see their stock.
Again, I love your creativity and personality! And you and your husband are too cute!
Kimberly
April 15, 2015 @ 4:09 pm
I think this is the coolest idea ever and I’m soo excited to see that kitchen with this fabulous new “island”. And I totally loved the video. 🙂
Rebecca
April 15, 2015 @ 4:18 pm
Sorry Victoria, I don’t side with you on this one. I would have taken that gorgeous piano and restored it. It looks like it has ivory keys and that alone is worth the restoration. I am sad…..:(