A well-placed grand piano that adds to the Benue of the oom 
danger here, however, of overloading, and care should be 
taken not to allow this. Some persons maintain that nothing 
should be placed upon it, since the purpose of a piano is that 
of music alone, and as articles interfere with the tone, they 
interfere with its proper use. Others, not less alive to the 
value of music, claim that a few wisely placed articles do 
not in the least mar the music 
nor affect the tone of the in- 
strument. 
The forms which a piano 
may have are decided by the 
necessities of the instrument 
itself. The outer finish and 
ornament, however, can be 
modified to suit personal 
taste, and in some instances 
these have been quite 
changed. The color of the 
case may be, for example, 
whatever one prefers, and 
any kind or amount of deco- 
ration can be added. Hardly 
anything, one might think, is 
too lovely for the adornment 
of a piano. In some instances the case has been of light- 
colored wood and was kept a light color. When this is so, 
any bright and delicate colors in decoration show well upon 
it. Even painting can be introduced in certain portions, gay 
and yet sufficiently subdued to the ground tones. Generally 
the subjects of such decorative paintings are those repre- 
senting the light enjoyment of poetic romance, in which 
some of the French painters have excelled. The figures, 
here in bright draperies, laces, ribbons, move amidst a 
smiling and always beneficent nature, where skies are always 
of the bluest and flowers always in abundant blossom. 
The illustrations show two pianos which have been thus 
decorated. Both a grand piano and an upright are shown, 
both ornamented by Mr. Everett Shinn—one to the order 
of Clyde Fitch, the other for Robert McKee. The upright, 
as can be seen in the picture, stands amidst articles of fur- 
niture which have a weight and dignity, and these styles are 
in keeping with its own rectangular lines. The paintings 
which form the ornament are shown here in detail. Mr. 
Shinn refers his inspiration for the designs to Boucher, and 
with a hint from Watteau. They are original with himself, 
however, hints merely being taken from the work of others. 
The ornament upon this piano, it will be noticed, keeps for 
the most part to the panellings, yet aiding the effect of the 
whole. The body-color is a dull golden color, upon which 
the varying tints of color in the panels play harmoniously. 
Panels from an upright piano, painted by Mr. Everett Shinn 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS te) 
The other piano illustrated is more ornamental as to its 
own form and is richly carved and decorated, and to decora- 
tion it lends itself most sympathetically. The case in this 
instance is of white mahogany, upon which the colors appear 
and melt in a delightful way. The lacquer which covers 
the whole gives to it a golden tone, through which the colors 
appear subdued yet bright. This warm and beautiful tone 
greatly enhances the whole effect, which is both delicate and 
rich in the extreme. The front view here shown gives de- 
tails of the carving and shows also the garlands which form 
an ornamental border across the front, broken only by a 
small oblong panel containing a picture. Another view of 
the same shows it with the top raised. In this we get an 
idea of the work as a whole, since it allows us to see the 
garlands, arabesques and other ornaments with which it is 
profusely covered. In the medallions, which are of various 
sizes, are paintings which are more or less free and detailed, 
according to the space each allows. ‘This beautiful piano 
was bought at the Clyde Fitch sale by Mr. Tomlinson. 
' Sketches for another piano, decorated after the same gen- 
eral manner, are to be seen in Mr. Shinn’s studio. These he 
is preparing at his leisure and intends to use them upon a 
piano for his own home. The body-color in this case is to 
be anash-gray. To obtain this light color, we are informed, 
the surface must first be treated in such a way as to remove 
the varnish, since to obtain it without this it is necessary to 
put in the order at the fac- 
tory two years in advance. 
The gray color may then be 
put upon the natural wood, 
and into this carried, in a 
pleasing way and with much 
charm as to color, the gay 
and happy designs which are 
planned for it. Birds of 
bright plumage are to be an 
important part of these de- 
signs. 
It is quite plain that when 
any piece is highly individual- 
ized, aS these pianos are, 
there must needs be the more 
care that they shall be placed 
in surroundings which are 
reasonably harmonious. If the destination of the piano is 
known, this harmony can be secured in advance, the colors 
and the style of ornament being selected in reference to the 
desired place. The amount of decoration which is appro- 
priate will be considered, and what is most suited can be 
chosen. Even a slight decoration gives lightness and grace. 
This piano forms a valuable feature to the room’s tasteful decoration 
