Making It Work

After some debating, we decided to make memories for our family rather than some of the home improvement projects I have on my list this year.  So I booked our tickets to Maui and then got busy making a few problem areas in our house work, using what we already own. 

This is a change table that my father made us, with love, when we were expecting our first child.  It is beautiful and something I will hold on to for a long time - maybe ever.  However,  this room is doing it no justice and it is not functioning well as a violin cabinet.  You can see my violin resting on the top of the piano.  It is supposed to be stored inside the cabinet but then is not convenient for the everyday practicing that I am trying to do with my son, so most often sits atop the piano.  I also do not like that it is the same height as the piano (I like to keep things staggered for visual interest) and there is so much wood going on here!!  Due to its depth, it also consumes a lot of space in this room making it feel more cramped.

Off I went to shop my house and see what else I have that would function better in this room for our needs.

This is the only piece I found that wasn't already serving well for another purpose.  It is a small china cabinet that came from my great Aunt Ethel.  It is not an antique, nor a solidly handcrafted piece, nor made of high quality wood, and has broken glass side panels.  The other pieces that were once a part of this set are long gone.   However, it was the correct dimension for housing a full-size violin and taller than the piano.  A little fixing up and it would make my frustrating violin situation workable!!!

The doors were removed.  The broken glass in the sides was replaced with 1/2 inch mdf cut to size.  All the holes and dings were filled with wood filler and sanded smooth.  Then primed and painted with Benjamin Moore's North Sea.  It actually is a dark navy color, however this room is always washed with natural sunlight so it appears lighter in photos.  All the supplies used were on hand except for the quart of North Sea paint.

It is helping to breakup all the wood going on in this room.  Although the piano is not my choice of color I am working with it as it was my Father's engagement gift to my Mother.  It has had many hours of memories for my family during childhood music lessons and soon my daughter will be learning on this piano.

It fits our violins perfectly and makes them easy to access for our daily practicing!! There is also a little room for storage of our most current music in the doors below and room for my sons most recent achievement framed to keep him motivated.  The current certificate displayed is his distinction (94%) performance at the music festival.  (Maybe it's more for his proud mother than him.)

This is not the end of my vision for this room.  I am picturing a gallery wall around the violin cabinet and the room painted a dark, moody color. 

Here are a few photos so you can have an idea of what I am dreaming of.

I think this color would do wonders for my 'orangeish' piano.

If only I had the paint I would be doing it right now.  But the stores are closed and the kids are in bed so this paint project will wait for another day. 

Linking To: Simply Creation, Frugalicious Friday, Remodelaholic's Anonymous, Flaunt it Friday, Show and Share, Tickled Pink, Free For All Fridays, Furniture Friday