First off, replace that hardware. It's a bore, it's aging the piece (which is cute, by the way).

As for decor, try monochromatic. All white could be particularly effective. Perhaps a grouping of dissimilar opaque white objects- vary the heights and throw some quirky things in there.

Also, I'm curious about the lower doors. It's difficult to tell from the image- are they glass fronted? If so, you might want to line the back of cabinet's interior with a fun (or at least brighter) paper. Heck, even solid white would give it a lot more impact.

I like it as it is.

The top back piece should unscrew; it's separate from the center mirror. Actually, you should be able to unscrew the mirror as well - leaving an unsupported shelf on top that you will break as soon as you put something heavy on top.

Save the top two pieces for the future. Those door knobs should be wood and gesso with a rosette.

Re-tighten the hinges on the right door so there isn't a sag.

it has gorgeous lines but i am not a fan of the cherry colour. feel free to call me names but i'd paint it.

I don't understand this question. Why did you buy an antique piece if you just want to modernize it?

ooh, she's a beaute! i would start with some new funky hardware, and depending on what shape the finish is in a paint job.

slowdown, you buy an antique piece to modernize so it becomes unique.

then it's cooler than cookie cutter modern, and you've brought an old cliche sideboard into the modern age so it doesn't scream granny's attic.

I would not do too much to this. Personally I like antiques as antiques... I wouldn't do anything like painting it, since that is so hard to reverse and it looks nice as is. Are the doors glass? If so, you can change the feel of the piece by putting display items in it - which could range from books to a collection you have to your nice shoes or stacks of neatly folded clothes or linens if you need room for storage. I love the look of brightly colored art glass against wood, which feels modern but not too modern. I also like the suggestion of papering the back wall if the doors are glass. Is that a shelf above the mirror? You could arrange small display items on top of that, or find little decorative dishes to put things like makeup or hair ties in. A vase of fresh flowers or a potted plant would also be a lovely addition.

First off, judging by the style of the piece, it's quite old, perhaps to the 1800's or heck even in the early part of the 20th Century and almost looks to be of the Art Neuvou style but I could be well wrong.

Either way, if you paint or replace hardware, you might ruin it's value, whatever it might be so stop, take a deep breath and find out if it's first off worth anything and whether modifying it would affect its value if worth more.

Secondly, you CAN integrate this piece into your decor without having to modernize it by accessorizing it, if the doors are indeed glass, then carefully put paper panels in the back to give the inside some life and use it to store some pretty things.

As long as you have other darker toned woods to work with it so it's not the only dark piece, it should look great and just add some modern pieces to the top, such as a funky 70's mod lamp as an example and it should look fab in your bedroom.

TAmom: Antique pieces are not unique?

It's not so precious of a piece that painting should be eliminated as an option. I would have it sanded and sprayed it a medium grey a matt lacquer. Keep all the original hardware. It will retain a timeless but more modern feel.

Hello, This is my piece. I don't have any plans of painting it, it's worth a lot as is. I guess I should have explained in my question, that I don't want to alter it...I'm looking for something in terms of (a few) decor accessories to modernize it. Thank you

The doors are glass.

There's a shelf above the mirror.

Thank you all for your comments, I appreciate it!

it is totally cool as is - just update the hardware!

I think she is asking what to put on top of it, accessories?

If that is the case simple vase with flowers, maybe a small lacquer box and a picture.

Here are some pieces-
I like this box-
http://www.burkeDecor.com/Pavilion_Alabaster_Lacquer_Box_by_Thomas_Paul_p/bx0101-aqu.htm

Some older pieces like this green decanter, and silver jug for flowers
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24239539

this dove is sweet-
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16229185

I do not know this vendor I just bookmarked them at one point because I liked their items.

Or a family of white pieces- vase, tray, animal and then tall glass vase-

http://piecesinc.com/small-white-lacquer-tray
http://piecesinc.com/ribbed-bud-vase-0
I love this elephant
http://piecesinc.com/elephant

I would paint it my favorite color(not white-unless your into the grandma's panties look), add new hardware and place some graphic fabric in the door windows.

@cagirl Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for not wanting to alter it. I HATE seeing people buy lovely antiques and ruining them by painting them white or black or something. I'm absolutely with slowdown on this one. I know this site (for some bizzare reason) focuses on mid-century modern but there are other styles, people!

I think it would look fun with some funky vinyl toys in the display shelves, like some customized Munnys or something. For some reason, I think "space age!" when I look at it and try to think of how to accesorize it into a modern piece. Maybe a very clean-lined metal vase?

I think it would look cool with a collection of white glass vases & bowl of varying shapes and heights. I would try to keep the shapes in a simple modern line and stay away from the ornate. The mirror on the back could emphasize the collection giving it even more depth.....or not.

one thing you could do to change the look is cut a piece of grasscloth or burlap and cover up the mirror. you can stick it on there with double-sided tape. i have a sideboard like this and covering the mirror drastically changed the look. then when you want the mirror back, you can always take it off.

slowdown: antique pieces were unique in their own day but now they're old& done. design has to move forward to be fresh.

You asked what to display on it to make it seem more modern. I agree with the person who said white glass vases.

Depending on the color scheme of the room, perhaps you could have a small grouping of two or three modern-shaped white vases (bulbous, tall, cylindrical) and one bright colored vase that complements the room scheme. I see a mustard yellow in the background, so perhaps a really bright turquoise for the "pop" vase?

Given some of the comments above, I fear for all the lovely antiques out there that some clueless person might try to 'modernize' with a coat of glossy paint and some loud fabric or wallpaper. The DIY movement seems to have convinced many people that nothing is worth leaving as it is, that everything needs a bold 'makeover' in order to incorporate it into a more modern home. Not all 'granny' pieces are worthless and deserve such treatment. Those who can't figure out how to decorate around good antiques lack imagination.

Bah! Humbug! Everything old and wood is not valuable or unique. If it is an important piece by an important designer, then by all means preserve it. But if not, why not give it a new modern life? It's greatest value is the pleasure it brings you. Personally, I would spray it a glossy turquoise and change out the hardware to something chrome and lucite. The shape is totally cool.

A decorator once reminded me that Thomas Jefferson's furniture was new, high fashion, and totally modern when he purchased.

It looks like it's smiling!

In the same vein as decorative paper/fabric on the glass doors and mirror, you could try a vinyl decal or a patterned privacy film. Or cut your own design out of contact paper or privacy film.

no, that won't happen to all antiques slowdown b/c there are a lot of people who feel the way you do. (that wasn't meant to sound snarky).

you've got to be kidding me. this is a beautiful, gorgeous art nouveau piece--no way should it be painted. it looks like it's in great shape & it's probably worth quite a bit. since art nouveau occurred around the turn of the 20th century, it's a modern piece of furniture so i'd place similar art & accessories that refer to that period on it, including perhaps an art nouveau styled vase or lamp (think charles rennie mackintosh or tiffany). you could even place other modern accessories that refer to designs by louis sullivan or frank lloyd wright. in museum stores, there's lots of accessories with wright's graphics on them. anything like this would look great & modern.

I think it would be really pretty with an elongated center bowl of fruit or vase of flowers, maybe switched out to a nice row of candles for a party.

I would not paint Jefferson pieces. Having said that, Put a nekked ladie on it and call it a day. Maybe some christmas lights-kidding kinda.
Really, as a lover of older pieces, tread lightly and carry a big stick. The items you place around it, could play it up.

@quiltmaster: So what if TJ's furniture was? How does that point relate to modernizing antique furniture?

And I agree that not all old pieces are worth keeping pristine. But I'm surprised at how many uninformed readers here, without really knowing whether this sideboard is valuable or not (though I don't exactly agree with the idea that only 'important' or expensive pieces should be spared), suggested coating it in paint and replacing hardware. So I'm glad the owner is cognizant of the history and value of her piece and wouldn't follow such 'advice.'

slowdown, bravo. If it's falling apart I'll be the first in line to "re-life it" in a new way. Just get something close to want you want or love in the first place. Why would you do something else to it? Just because you can? That is not eco-anything.

It's not the prettiest piece, I usually am against painting wood, but in this case I would paint it white or black (you can of course paint it whatever color you want), and change the knobs. Keep the mirror though, It's what makes it an interesting piece.

Look through what you already have for things that echo the shapes on your sideboard: curved legs, the wings at the base, triangles. Since you love it, you may already have decor that shares its essence. A quick fix would be triangular candles in various colors and heights, that would be reflected in the glass.