Oh Annie it is lovely. You are a magic maker!

It looks lovely, and just think how much exercise you got going from attic to lower level umpteen time :) I still have so many things, pictures etc. to hang, and it's been 8 years! You know, things go into a closet and then...I need to go shopping in my closets! Should I sign up for a housewalk for incentive?

Thanks guys. You're not kidding about the exercise...made me so glad we designed for 1 floor living.

And it truly was one of those things where, once it's done, it really didn't take that much time and why didn't we do it sooner?

But that's life.

Beautiful! I love playing Keyboard. I'll be over in a bit. LOL

Annie, you might be just the person to ask, based on your photos! DS (preteen) wants to learn piano, but we aren't going to get a real piano just yet. Any suggestions for a full size keyboard that would be a good starter "piano"? Budget is not an issue, but always nice to get good value.

Annie, what is a solar open house?

chispa, I wish I could help...but I haven't played in years (that's why the music nook was a mess for so long). The keyboards are very, very old...one was Mom's. I really wouldn't know what to recommend today as the technology I'm sure has changed so drastically.

If you think he might want to progress, then make sure you get one with the keys full size, so he can learn an octave and stretch his fingers to play it. You might also look at one with all 88 keys, though that's probably less important unless he gets serious about piano playing. If you think he just wants to dabble, then electronic keyboards have a lot of advantages...they don't go out of tune, they are less expensive, they can be played with earphones so no one else is disturbed. But the disadvantages are that most are not touch sensitive so you don't learn the nuances of tone and volume and the feel of the keys, and you don't develop the strength in your fingers as you would with a real piano. And a real piano just sounds a lot more like a real instrument. Of course if his interest is eventually in organ playing then that won't matter, but he won't be learning the foot work that goes with the organ.

Also, the keyboards are a lot of fun, but so easy to cheat as they build in easy chord playing. But if you want him to learn the basics have fun and get an emotional outlet esp for his teen years (banging on a piano keyboard sure helped me out a lot!) then by all means.

Perhaps someone else is more up to date on brands and such.

cyn, a few of the area towns are trying to encourage people to sign up for solar panels...if they get enough then they can get a volume discount making it more cost effective. They want to invite people to see homes that have solar installations (we have 5kw on our roof) and meet with the installers as a way to encourage them to sign up. Holding an open house is one of their marketing efforts.

Thanks, Annie. That is sort of what I was guessing. It is a good idea.

Lovely as always, Annie!

Chispa, we just got a keyboard from CL. I wanted a real piano but DH has a thing about noise. . .we got the one in the link below. It is good for an electric piano, but I can tell it's an electric piano! Someday I'll get a real one and we'll move this one to the basement.

Here is a link that might be useful: Williams Overture

This post was edited by anele on Sun, Oct 27, 13 at 1:12

I love free makeovers especially when they turn out so "harmoniously" ! Great job!

Wonderful room!!! Very cozy and charming!:)

No cost too!!! Music to MY ears!! :)

Well done indeed!

Thanks for the kind words, ladies. I'm always amazed at how much energy, unknowingly, a mess drains, until it is cleaned up...and then how much energy it generates when it's done. Not just a visual but a physical relief.

Perhaps some of the most fun with my keyboards is the wide variety of sounds and rhythms you can get out of them....organs, violins, flutes, car wrecks, horns, synthesizers, etc. etc. You can spend hours just playing with sounds. Then the rhythms...disco to hard rock to waltzes and folk...amazing stuff. I can't imagine what they offer in today's machines...mine must be 12 to 15 years old already.