I think that would actually be kind of cool to have them in the dining room! Similar to books in the dining room....

Growing up, we had a million musical instruments in the house (a little old house, too.) My parents didn't exactly decorate WITH them... that is to say, they were used, and weren't just decorations. But they were an integral part of the "fabric" of the house, and we did not have a dedicated music room. There was an upright piano, 3 or 4 guitars, a mandolin, a banjo, a violin, a clarinet, some bongo drums, a bunch of harmonicas, a zither, and a pianica. Probably some other stuff I can't think of- a kid's paradise, since we were allowed to play with them. Honestly they were just in corners of rooms. They weren't "displayed" (on walls, etc.) since they were actually used. But it seemed completely normal to me to have guitar cases leaned against walls. The drums (smaller than your set) were on top of the piano. We also had a very large antique empire sideboard (similar to shown) and THAT had smaller instruments on top of it.

I guess it depends on what the rest of your decor is. If everything else is perfect and new and completely coordinated, it could potentially disrupt the look if you added instruments. But I think they really go with the decor if the decor also includes things like books, or some antique furniture, etc.. Maybe if the rest of your decor is very coordinated, you can kind of "bridge the gap" between that sort of decor, and your instruments, by adding original artwork, and a few "exotic" or antique items, to begin to create a more eclectic look.

My mother was always wringing her hands over the lack of space (the house was very old and so it only had a crawl space below, not a full basement, and didn't have the sort of large and numerous closets new houses have) but an old house is actually quite "ripe" for sort of an overstuffed look, if you can live with it. I know it sounds funny... I guess I mean the "patina" of an old house just seems to go well with books, art, musical instruments, etc.. With newer houses where everything is perfect, that look can somehow seem more cluttered.

I think one question to ask is how far you want to go into an "artsy" look for your house. I think our instruments worked because my father was also an artist (as a hobby) and so we already had lots of drawings and paintings from him, in addition to other stuff, and full-size easel always up in one corner of a room. My mother had tons of books and antiques. I wouldn't say the house went over the edge into hippy-dippy artsy - I think Persian rugs and large, dark wood antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries sort of balanced it... but it was a VERY eclectic look. Musical instruments work really well in that environment. But that look can also drive some people crazy and it's unique and I think it sort of unavoidably sends a message about the homeowners which you may or may not want to send.

P.S. my parents have lived in the house for 35 years, with no plans to sell, so it's "safe" to have decor like that. It would be sort of a nightmare to try to get it into a good condition to show it to buyers who have a different vision.

We're lucky enough to have a room in the basement dedicated to the instruments, so most of them (guitars, keyboards, ukulele, basses, violin, clarinet, harmonicas,etc.)are down there. However, the grand piano is in the living room, and that's where everyone wants to congregate to play. That means that there are currently also three speakers, a full-sized keyboard, a guitar, bass, and full drum set there.
Our home is where we live and anyone who comes into our house knows that music is an integral part of our lives. They usually want to play the instruments, hear them played or hear about them.
I personally think the drums in your dining room would be interesting to look at and a great conversation piece.

Oh congratulations! I'm really excited for you your new drums. And I adore the idea of them in your DR. There is something so right about a musical instrument in a DR. Our 7 year-old likes to play his violin in our DR, and every single time we have company over he serenades us. Even he at such a young age gets the connection between music and conviviality.

I play the banjo, my partner the guitar and our eldest the violin. His petit violin is able to live in a cupboard (safe from the loving, inquisitive hands of our youngest), but our instruments are hung up in the FR on either side of the FP (the chimney). Of course it's fun to play our instruments and it's most fun to play as a family, but I also I LOVE what they, hanging there static, say about us in a decorative sense. While they're not glamorous (tricked-out with marquetry or whatever), they do impart a certain vibe and I like that vibe. I bet I would love lizzie_nh's parents' home, too.

{{!gwi}}{{!gwi}}

We are getting a piano and I am trying to figure out how it'll fit (literally and decoratively) into our LR. I don't want it to be an afterthought, to look as if "well, that's where we had room for it!" I'm thinking about painting it to resemble malachite ... I don't know if I'm more excited about seeing it in its green glory or hearing the beautiful plinking of children's hands / cats' feet. (when I listen to myself play it doesn't delight my ears as much as the innocent sounds from others, but it does delight my soul to play!)

auntjen, with your delish Mexican colorful vibe those drums are going to look terrific!

My 12 y.o. son plays the electric bass and drums. His new bass, amps and drums are in the basement. His old bass stopped working right but looks cool (IMO) so we decided to hang it in his bedroom. I wanted it hung on an angle, and found a bracket set from a place called Woody's; the bracket lets you hang it at any angle.

I think it looks great and he likes it too.
{{!gwi}}

(If you're wondering what those brown blobs are, they are the bean bag lounge chairs from PB Teen. Wouldn't recommend them - they are disappointing.)

I think your drums are beautiful and would look nice in the DR on shelves or hung on the wall if you can find appropriate brackets.

I think the drums would look great in the dining room. Musical instruments are so attractive in a home, I think. Hope you let us see what you do.

Thought about it, and went ahead and fed my addiction in spite of what others would think.

Casey

Oh my gosh, Casey! What amazing pipe/pump organs! (I hope I'm using the correct terms.) They're all gorgeous, but the one in the top photo kinda made me go all slack-jawed there for a second or two! WOW! Does it weigh an absolute ton? Do you play them regularly? Fantastic!

rmkitchen and chicagoans - thank you both for posting your wonderful photos as well! I'm fascinated with the very idea of playing a stringed instrument, but so far haven't worked up the courage to give it a try.

I love how you all have incorporated instruments into your home, or grew up in music-loving homes where the instruments were just a part of your everyday life. I think that is so very cool. I grew up with musician parents and we were never without pianos, organs, and drums. One of my sweetest memories is listening to my great-grandparents play duets on their harmonicas, even well into their 90s. They were actually quite good at it!

I also love how the eclectic feel of the rooms featured here in photo as well as in very descriptive words just draw you in and make you just want to sink right down into the comfy-cozy vibe of the space. My style is definitely eclectic ... a mix of vintage, cottage, southwest, Mexican, craftsman - all thrown together in a 1940 Tudor-style. You have all given me terrific encouragement and inspiration, and when I bring my new drums homes this evening I am definitely just going to scoot the Stickley mission china cabinet down on one wall and set the drums up in the corner of the room. The thing about drums is that they really need to be set up on their stand in order to entice me to actually use them regularly, so I'm just gonna go for it.

Thanks for the encouragement! :-)

Wow! If I'm not careful, you guys are going to change me from my "likes matching" self.

Your rooms are charming.

Wow! love everybody's rooms!
Casey -what is the paint color of the walls in your third photo??

Hi and thanks for being "understanding".
The brick/russet color is from Duron, called "Sampler" and dates to 1995, so I couldn't say whether it's still on the books. I have used that color for a long time; in 1983 I used it in my parent's house. I think it was a Moore color called simply "russet".
peegee, if you needed it I do have the formula.
Casey

Wow, Casey, those are unreal! Great example of how going with your passion/instinct pays off. I have never seen an organ like that outside of a church or music hall.

Rmkitchen, we have those same guitar hooks in our home office. We wanted one like Chicagoans has for her DS, but I can't remember why we didn't get it.

If you have a truly collectible guitar, you can get a large wall case, but those are quite expensive and probably also pretty heavy.

Well, I brought my drums home last night and set them up in the dining room and I can hardly believe that they actually make the room seem a little larger! (How is that even possible??) I did have to scoot the china cabinet down a bit on the wall and in so doing I'll have to rearrange some of the artwork that is hanging in that area, but just something about having the drums in the room makes it feel more inviting and interesting. I need to take some pics, since the room has been painted since I last shared photos here (from deep turquoise to a soft "grasshopper" green) - it's just a matter of getting around to doing that!

AuntJen I'll be looking forward to seeing photo's of your repainted room!

Casey - I was very interested in obtaining the formula, but in spending some time admiring your color, I realize that my ceilings are about the height of your molding - and the white border on top in your room visually lightens the effect. I love your color, and it is exactly what I had in mind, but now think It will be too dark for my little room with low ceilings and low natural light. Thanks so much, though!! - Penny

Me too -- looking forward to the pic of your "new" DR.

A few weeks (months?) ago I saw the HGTV show "Secrets from a Stylist" (I think -- I am feeling v. drowsy right now so my mind is recalling nada). She redid the dining room / jam space of a hipster couple (parents of young children) and I L-O-V-E-D it! I loved it because it just felt like a funky, friendly space to be. Even though I kinda doubt I'd be part of those hipsters' circle (although you never know -- maybe they drive minivans, too!), that kind of hanging-out-with-a-common-purpose (making music) really appealed to me, made me want to be a part of it.

I think that's what having instruments in a room, esp. a room where people are sitting and already sharing, does. At least it does for me! I'll check back for your pics.

Several years ago when living in Colorado, we stayed at the Carolina in the Pines B&B in Dillon during a ski weekend. Our room was called the Symphony room, and the walls were decorated with orchestra instruments, and there was musical scales painted around the room. It was so beautiful and peaceful.

I have an antique banjo and a dulcimer hung on a beam between liv and din rm. They don't hang down, they are sideways.