I was going to say red too.

Don't paint! There have been thorough discussions on AT about this and strong arguments against painting.

I painted an old buffet black recently and my only concern is that the dust shows up MUCH more.

i'd restain (ebonize?) the wood and use brushed stainless hardware. i wouldn't paint it, but if you did, go high gloss black! it's so sexy :)

I would do a black stain as opposed to painting it.

Painting is probably the easiest solution as you could just sand it, paint it and love it. I LOVE the idea though of ebonizing the wood or using a dark, dark gray/brown stain on it. I think the decision to do that though would depend on the wood species and if it's worth all that work. If the wood is just ok or bleh than I would paint.

Black is a bit obvious though i think. I'd shoot for color...maybe a really good red/orange. Any opportunity for surprise? Like paint the underside of the leaves a different color or the panels on the cabinet that are covered when the leaves are down?

It's a cool piece.

Why modernize? Why not restore its original luster?

I'd go Hermes orange and accessorize with vases and photo frames in blacks and whites...

high gloss black... or dark dark navy.. but definitely glossy

I would sand it down till its ultrasmooth and paint it deep orange (glossy) with new white hardware

I love the high gloss black idea -how about painting it all the high gloss black EXCEPT the top of the buffet and leave that the original wood or perhaps a red or orange for contrast? Lovely piece -I'm so jealous!

It's very pretty just the way it is. Painting it will devalue it considerably, but I guess you don't like it the way it is....

I vote for the stain. Keep the beautiful wood look with the sexiness of the black stain. Nothing worse than a beautiful piece of wood furniture under paint.

Anything painted has to be repainted but staining is forever.