Hello Everyone,

I'm in the process of finishing a new showroom for pianos and I have selected Tiete Rosewood for a floor, and I'm not sure whether or not I should use the rosewood for the trim, or if I should go for white molding. The Flooring installer suggested white so that I have contrast between the floor and wall. The upper part of the wall is cream and the lower part is olive. If I go for white, I could also run a chair rail where the two colors meet in cream.

My concern is that the contrast would between the olive paint and the floor woudl get lost. Should I go with cream trim? It is a modern room selling modern high-quality pianos. Also, does anyone have suggestions for a finish? I looked at oil because it is very repairable if piano casters scratch. Poly finishes are tough to touch up so I'm uncertain about what to do.

Looking for suggestions. - I will post pics when all if finished AND the room has a stage that will be very sharp. Let me know what I should do.

Best, BC

I will post pictures upon completion.

I am a firm believer that trim should be trim and floor should be floor. Your moldings should be contrasting to the floor. With the pre-finished floor business pre-finished moldings came about. It gave the installer a molding that he can finish the floor off with while making it so the customer does not have to do anymore work. For example when an installer installs pre-primed white quarter round the moldings still need to be painted, but when they install pre-finished oak quarter round all you do it fill the nail hole with putty and the job is done. There definitely isn't anything more classy than a glossy white/cream trim to contrast a deep paint color and rich colored floor such as the one you selected.

As for your other question the oil or water poly doesnt really matter as far as durability. Water dries faster and has lower smell and voc's. Oil brings is just more traditional. With the use of sealers they reach pretty much the amber/color tone level. Your going to need to place pretective pads underneath the casters, i would suggest heavy duty felt or rubber.

Those paino's should never be rolled around anyway. Definitely pick and place, i dont care what floor you have, a heavy piano will even damage concrete.

Also place felt tips underneath piano chairs because users "scoot" forward and back, rubbing on the floor. As far as scratch repairs go, you could always lightly abrade the fine scratch and duraseal sells some touch up sprays, or you can try a mini paint roller. But the reality is piano's if they damage the floor it will be a tad more than a fine scratch which will require more than a touch up of poly.