The long-standing phrase about music being food for the soul never gets old!
The Essex EUP-116QA Queen Anne in Cherry Satin Lustre (above) features hand-carved reliefs on the legs in the form of acanthus leaves, which symbolize quality, longevity and creativity.
Indeed, it is great to wind down after a long day with melodious tunes; appreciate music in the comfort of your home by investing in a well-made, high-quality and beautifully finished piano that complements the design of your home.
1. Space
This Steinway-designed Boston Baby Grand 156 piano is a sleek and quality piece to have at home.
The size of the room where you place your piano is an important consideration; sound quality and volume is dependent on the size of the piano and room, knowing the dimensions of the space allows you to choose the right piano for optimal sound quality and projection.
The Essex EUP-123CL French Studio is an upright piano with elegantly proportioned cabriole legs and raised accent moldings.
The Steinway Gallery offers a wide selection of grand and upright pianos to meet these requirements. While upright pianos take up about the same amount of floor space regardless of their height, the smallest grand piano – measuring 155cm in length — would require a minimum floor space of 2 by 2 metres.
2. Design and interior style
The Essex EUP-116E White Polished piano is perfect for homes with minimalist, mostly white interiors.
Pianos are produced in a variety of styles to match different interior looks.
From traditional ebony and mahogany finishes, to exotic wood veneers and customised patterns, a piano can make a striking statement in your home, and complement your choice of furniture and furnishings.
The Essex Baby Grand 155C in Ebony high polish will look immaculate in any European-style home.
3. Quality
While two pianos may look identical in appearance, they can differ widely in price and sound quality. Here are three features to look out for:
- Five-post back frame
A quality upright piano would have a five-post asymmetric and unevenly spaced back frame, which serves as support against approximately 20 tonnes of cumulative string tension. A strong back frame will result in better tuning stability and performance over time.
- Vertically laminated bridges
Patented in 1880 by Theodore Steinway, vertically laminated bridges are made from multiple layers of wood. This allows more energy from the vibration of the strings to be delivered to the soundboard, enhancing the sound quality.
- Tapered soundboard
The soundboard is sanded down to keep the edges thin; this allows it to vibrate freely, providing full-bodied tones that sustain longer.
4. Investment
With a 164-year legacy in producing handmade pianos, every Steinway is a unique instrument painstakingly crafted by artisans with decades of experience.
While most pianos from other brands may see an almost 50-per-cent depreciation in resale value, Steinway’s pianos appreciate over time.
The Steinway Promise represents Steinway’s commitment to owners of a Steinway-Designed piano. Users can trade in their piano — within 10 years from the date of purchase — and receive the full original purchase price for a new Steinway Grand piano.
With every piano designed with attention to detail and material choice, they are no longer just instruments on stage, but also pieces that complement modern and contemporary interiors.
Steinway Gallery is having a year-end warehouse sale from Dec 8 to 11 at 47 Jalan Pemimpin, Halcyon 2 Building, Level 5. Find out more at www.steinway-gallery.com.sg/warehouse-sale-2016.