Hi,  I just couldn't resist the opportunity to share my own verse of
the "Painted Piano Blues" [ref. 060524 MMDigest, "Painting a Piano"].

My co-worker, Jake, is an exceptional industrial designer.  We both
worked for Xerox for over three decades before retirement and Jake
had the reputation for innovative design, including a number of
design patents.  The interior (and exterior) of his home reflects
the sophistication of his design ability and was often the topic of
discussion when someone new to the department had a chance to visit.
For example, his home clearly outshone the homes of all four of the
design managers we both worked for over the years.

Jake's kitchen is partly painted (by hand) in a black and white
checkered pattern and the dining room walls were once 'papered' in
aluminum foil.  But the room I liked most was his living room.  It was
painted by hand in large black and white flowers.  It was quite
a shock to those of the traditional persuasion but, at the hands of
an artist, it was stunning.

It often took several minutes before the new arrivals realized that
Jake and his wife and two girls had a player piano.  The effect defies
written description so please look at the photo via a link that Robbie
will provide and see if you don't agree that the decorated piano was
worth much more than the $25 that he paid for it in 1970.  In fact,
he got several times that much when he redecorated the room and finally
sold it.  Fortunately it didn't start life as a $10,000 Steinway grand.

Regards,
Craig Smith
near Rochester, New York

 [ See http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/index.html  -- Robbie