Mason & Hamlin Relocate
I put the fabulous Mason & Hamlin piano in the round Receiving Room. I loved it here.
But a bunch of you urged that it be moved away from a window, as this would damage the piano. So, wanting to be a good steward of the generous and precious gift, I moved the piano to the east wall of the parlor. But, it looked squeezed in. So I pulled it out at a bit of an angle. Better! There was also no room for Pete, too, so I switched to the famous Rainbow White House picture…
…and Pete is now on the north wall.
The only other option for the piano is the west wall in the dining room. I prefer the parlor.
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The piano is marvellous where you put it. Hopefully one of your many guests will play her from time to time. I think making music is magical, it transforms energy in a space. Here’s to music and magic!
Much better spot. Yes, parlour better than dining room. And as the house progresses it might be moved to a more permanent spot. Glad to see the cover is down to protect the keys.
I am excited for the first report of a guest playing it so you can hear what it sounds like. I’ll bet it will be glorious.
This place was made for the piano! It fits right in and the music can be enjoyed from all adjacent rooms.
The place is less ideal for the piano player as they would be sitting between two doors but, I guess, few people will be practicing there for hours and hours everyday. (And if an avid piano player moves in with you, you still have plenty of rooms to look for an even better place.)
I am so happy the piano was moved from h reception room.
The parlor is perfect. I think a little rearranging would be help this work well in this room. Seems a little scrunched but that wall is perfect! in 1894, music and pianos were the entertainment.
“Meet Me in St. Louis,” had a several parlor scenes with folks gathered around the piano. That movie was centered around the world fair held in 1893 in St. Louis. Was that the Columbian Exposition? (Several paintings were purchased after the exposition by the owner of the opera house in Wamego, KS. I remember visiting and the paintings are stunning. Represented the continents I seem to recall…)
I agree that the dining room wouldn’t work.
Please buy a piano bench that complements the piece.
I am so excited about this! Mary Cross’ piano! Just remarkable!
The World’s Fair was held in St Louis in 1904. It’s official name was the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. It commemorated the Louisiana Purchase of 1804.
Definitely better in the parlour than the dining room! And as others have said, hopefully you’ll be able to find a matching bench or stool from the correct era to complete the look.
Thank you for moving it! I am so relieved that it won’t be damaged! It is perfect in the parlor. My grandmother had both her piano and organ in the parlor of her (1927) house, on opposite walls. I remember so well her playing, while we all sat and listened or sang. Usually we just listened to her singing since she had an incredible voice. She could never walk past the piano without sitting down to play something! She composed music, too. We sang her grace at every meal: “For happy home and loving care, for food and clothes and work to share, Father we thank thee, amen.”
Yes!! 🤗
I had my fingers crossed for the parlor. Over the past 100+ years, the central hall has likely been a bustling area, especially around the holidays. Having the upright just off the hall, it can be heard throughout the house. As well, the parlor can be closed off for a more intimate gathering. 💜 It really is in the perfect party spot! ✨️
It looks perfect there!
Looks like a very appropriate piano nook. I can see the Crosses having a piano there!
Much better! Although it bothers me having Pete staring in to the corner. (If this were a newspaper, I’d say he’s “looking off the page,” rather than facing into the page.) Can you swap him with Hillary?
Hi, Brian!
Yes, I would prefer that Pete was looking right. But, he was “looking off the page” in his previous location, too.
And Hillary is much too large for the north wall.
Before television, before electricity, many uprights were placed in a prominent position in the middle or along the edge of a room, but not against a wall. People could gather literally around the piano for singalongs.
Still, being where it is now is much better than the first location. I would so love to hear it played, since it’s not likely I’ll be able to get up there and play it myself.