find a green that goes with the blue and orange to paint the exterior. maybe also find a stencil pattern for the outside. then fine a nice patterned paper or fabric to line the inside with. you can do a lot of that searching online.

Beautiful.....I definitely think you should start by putting mirror on the inside....whatcha think???

How about if you paint the inside green? Not sure what shade she'd like, but she could enjoy it and you wouldn't have to worry about it being too much for her with it closed. Then you could do either a stain on the outside or a laquered black or white paint to be neutral. For something slightly more decorative, you could glue a frame of molding to the door fronts. Depending on the look you want, either paint all the same color, or paint a solid color color or put a wallpaper inside the frame. You could do something with some green, or find one that has a metallic shine to it. And change the knobs (or paint them to save money).

maybe do the outside a neutral color--like white or black--and paint the inside something wild. Or maybe mod podge fabric inside?

Is there a pattern in the room from a pillow or drapes that you can pull color and/or pattern inspiration from? Is there a specific color metal hardware in the room that you can compliment (lamp, ceiling fan, door handles)? I like the mirror on the inside idea from above as well. Look how cute this one is!

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=71633&CatID=71633&Grptyp=PRD&ItemId=1b968d4&sisearchengine=182&siproduct=Google&cm_mmc=ShoppingFeed-_-Google-_-Furniture-_-Modern%20Mirror%20Jewelry%20Armoire%20Black&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=716331b968d4

I'd have some mirrors cut for the front doors - you can glue them on. Add some pretty pulls like these Anthropologie knobs.

Paint the sides and drawers some kind of pattern like Lady J suggested. A damask pattern in gloss on matte or stripes.

Definitely a nice paper inside. Something reflective.

Maybe add some kind of led lighting on the inside?

If she has a LOT of jewelry, like my mom, AND you are handy or know someone that is, you could try some additions on the inside like these .

HA. I know. Nothing like a good challenge is there?

I love the idea of painting the inside green. And def get some awesome vintage knobs!

I can only see about 8 necklace hooks and she might need more of those - maybe lining the interior of the upper space.

If she doesn't have a ring rack in one of the drawers, that's a nice add on.

This site has some nice storage solutions for the lower drawers, but be sure to measure carefully before ordering.

http://www.organizeit.com/jewelry-trays.asp

Re: the headline, not the project: can we please stop using "pimp" to describe a style upgrade? Pimps, well-dressed or not, rape and sell the bodies of women and children. This jewelry armoire just needs a design lift.

These are great ideas and a fun project!

But regarding the headline: can we please stop using the word "pimp" to describe a style upgrade? Pimps, well-dressed or not, rape and sell the bodies of women and children. This jewelry armoire just needs a design lift.

oops, double posted. Sorry!

Wow, thanks, everyone! This is great timing.

@laurelsg, the editors wrote the headline (mine wasn't nearly as concise!).

Painting the inside green, so she can enjoy the color without worrying about a clash with the rest of the room, is a genius idea. I don't know how I missed it, but that's definitely what I'll be doing -- light glossy green, so jewelry should still be visible against it.

Mirrors on the front doors would be awesome, especially with an overlay like @SherriEakin's example. A subtle matte/gloss pattern on the drawers and sides would also be great -- she wouldn't like anything fancier, but I bet she could handle that. I'm just not sure what color on the outside -- maybe boring cream to match the walls?

For knobs, I think maybe something like these, to match the house's old glass doorknobs.

@Threadbndr, there are actually necklace hooks coming from the center of the top inside -- in the open photo, you can just make out the two main spikes, and multiple hooks octopus out from each of those.

I love the ideas like LED lights, ring racks, trays, and other storage solutions. Grandma also had a lot of brooches, so I'm thinking about some kind of pincushion, too. These are all fantastic ideas!

I had also been thinking about experimenting with copper leaf, maybe just around the upper edge? That would tie in with the orange, without being hideous like the room's pine doors/windows.

So, Apartment Therapy -
Why are you glorifying PIMPS??

@laurelsg, the word pimp has more than one meaning.
"The word pimp first appeared in English in 1607 in a Thomas Middleton play entitled Your Five Gallants. It is believed to have stemmed from the French infinitive pimper meaning to dress up elegantly
The verb "pimping" came up in the early 17th century. In the first years of the 21st century, a new meaning of the word has emerged in the form of a transitive verb pimp, which means "to decorate" or "to gussy up" (compare primp, especially in Scottish usage)."

did this new meaning 'emerge' or was it the idea of some clever TV producer who wanted to get our attention?

How about a flowing trellis pattern, sort of like this or this on the outside (gloss over matte)?

But I think I'd also want this pattern to continue over the mirrored doors. Is there any material I could use for this, that I could cut myself without a laser or jigsaw?

This is off the subject but how do I post a photo and "good question?"

First, congrats on a fabulous find! I don't think I've seen a larger jewelry chest. I think a mirror applied to the back of the open area is a brilliant idea.

As to the color, green could mean celadon, or hunter green. Since this is a jewelry chest, will you be lining the drawers with felt? Usually that sort of thing comes in green, so you might want to get the felt, if you are going to use it, and then pick a complimentary green for the chest color. You might want to consider two shades of green, one for the inside and one for the outside.

I hope you will send in the after photographs when you are finished. This looks like a fun project with a great potential for change.

I'm pretty sure that current usage of the word "pimp" traces back to "men who sell women and girls for sex" and the associated urban styles and not the 17th century work of Thomas Middleton.

Emerald green silk wallpaper on the inside, with a light rosewood stain on the outside.

May I suggest green felt glued inside the drawers, I did this to an old machinist chest-turned-jewelry box. keeps everything in its place and looks lovely.
I love the idea of painting the outside black, lining it with emerald green fabric or wallpaper or paint, the mirrors on the doors, some lighting.

Another thought -- if one or both outside sides will be visible, maybe add some way of "featuring" one of the pieces, be it on hooks or on a picture ledge, etc. To me, the jewelry kind of IS the decoration, so might as well use it as such.

And I think "boring old cream" is actually a great way to let any featured piece or pretty knobs, as well as the interior color, really pop!

I like the fabric/paint/pretty paper and mirrored interior ideas. I think, though, that I would keep it simple on the exterior: a neutral colored stain and some pretty pulls/knobs.

What are the finishes on the other furnishings in her bedroom? I think I'd let that be my guide for the stain color of the exterior. But unless her other furnishings have cherry or rose hues, I personally would lean away from those colors in favor of a more classic medium or dark walnut.

"But I think I'd also want this pattern to continue over the mirrored doors. Is there any material I could use for this, that I could cut myself without a laser or jigsaw?"

@kmk355 You can etch the mirrors. Etching kits are sold in most craft shops. You'll want to cut the design on contact paper and attach it to the mirror.