Pianos Recycled is a business that repurposes old pianos into new and unique pieces of furniture and art. The idea for the business came about when co-director Mike Hendry witnessed a removalist destroying a century-old piano. Feeling a sense of loss for the beautiful instrument, Hendry and his friend Sandra Klepetko decided to start a business that would give old pianos new life. Since then, they have converted 250 pianos into items such as gin cabinets, bookcases, sculptures, and earrings. They have six artisans working for them and are looking to expand their team.
One of the satisfied customers of Pianos Recycled is Helenmary Burnside, who had pieces made from her great-grandmother Lucy Muller’s piano. The project included a hall table with pretty flowers from the piano’s front inlay, two small tables, and four trinket boxes. The most expensive item in the project was the hall table, costing $1700. Burnside expressed her happiness with the pieces, which serve as mementos of her great-grandmother that she can pass down to her children. The custom-made pieces are not only beautiful but also hold sentimental value for Burnside.
Customers of Pianos Recycled typically spend between $1000 to $2500 on their repurposed pieces. The most a client has paid for a piano transformation was over $5000, while the most expensive single item sold by the business was a $4000 hall table made from a British piano. This intricate piece featured inlays on every panel, leg, and drawer, showcasing the craftsmanship that goes into each repurposed piano creation. Despite the high costs, customers value the opportunity to preserve and repurpose an object that may hold sentimental value for them.
While Pianos Recycled has successfully repurposed many pianos, Hendry admits that he cannot bring himself to dissect pianos made by elite brands such as Steinway or Bechstein. Instead, he believes these pianos should be restored rather than repurposed into new items. Hendry likens these high-end pianos to owning a Rolls-Royce, implying that they should be respected and maintained in their original state. However, for lesser-known piano brands and older instruments that may be headed for the landfill, Pianos Recycled offers a sustainable and creative solution to give them a new lease on life.
The emotional connection people have with their pianos is evident when they say goodbye to them as they are picked up by Pianos Recycled. Many customers take a moment to run their hand along the instrument one last time, acknowledging the memories and history associated with the piano. Hendry recognizes this bond between owners and their pianos, and he aims to honor that connection by repurposing the instruments into new and functional pieces that can continue to be cherished by future generations. The business not only saves pianos from ending up in landfills but also provides a way for people to preserve and repurpose meaningful objects in their lives.
Overall, Pianos Recycled offers a sustainable and creative solution to repurpose old pianos into unique pieces of furniture and art. With a team of skilled artisans and a passion for preserving the history and craftsmanship of these instruments, the business creates custom-made pieces that hold sentimental value for their customers. By transforming old pianos that may otherwise be discarded, Pianos Recycled not only reduces waste but also allows owners to continue enjoying and passing down the memories associated with these beloved instruments.
