Cute color! It would pop more if you painted the painted the details a contrasting color--maybe a nice bright white or cream. This would look great on the hardware too.

Agree with veggiemar, first thing I thought of was white hardware, but that hardware painted or the exact same in white.

Hardware would look great nickel-plated. You could also have a glass top cut for it and place some postcards, black and white photos or personal momentos under it.

Agree with new hardware. Maybe some of the fun ceramic or glass designs from Anthropologie, or just paint the ones you have with a glossy white.

I think it really needs to be very shiny with that color, maybe a top coat with a clear gloss.

try to bring out some of its architecture, maybe line some of the details with a darker color or glaze. I like the hardware, but matching some of its patina in the piece would be good :)

I will be teaching a new course on craftsy.com which covers all kinds of techniques and decorative finishes for re-doing and up-vamping old pieces of furniture and home accessories. Keep an eye out for Drab to Fab Home and Patio on craftsy.com! should launch in July :)

Maybe paint the inner part of the (outside)of the drawer, where the hardware is, white to make it pop more? I actually have a side table that I've revamped that is very similar in style and color as yours. Very nice!

Hi everyone! Thanks for the suggestions so far! notbob, I have a can of polyurethane ready to be slapped on, but I figured I would be doing some detailing, so the poly should go on last.

New Hardware! You could paint the details as well but if you're like me and don't have a steady hand when it comes to painting ONLY the details... then it may just look like crap. You could rub on a glaze or wash that would seep into the crevices and highlight the detail.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_af36gztJcGU/TA7ehEIE1rI/AAAAAAAAAkA/z8qcVk7AiYM/s1600/IMG_0199a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://the-chic-life.blogspot.com/2010/06/aqua-and-damask-dresser.html&usg=__U0wgbCEhI_kF3ywsKh7LiV1F76I=&h=803&w=1600&sz=211&hl=en&start=0&sig2=TZ3S6JzFefwZzu8VC2TOsw&zoom=1&tbnid=zkNFJRw_RsPQmM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=176&ei=ra34Tf7VIsXk0QGZx7iDCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dblack%2Bglaze%2Bfinish%2Bon%2Bdresser%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1325%26bih%3D804%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=351&page=1&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:23,s:0&tx=131&ty=26&biw=1325&bih=804

White hardware. Or, some sort of accent in a darker colour if you're going to stay with the hardware you have just now. Or, just accessorize the top with darker items. Maybe a bronze-toned lamp? Still, I'm seeing light, bright airy colours and finishes for this. Definitely white hardware.

Change the hardware. Especially the pull- it's too detailed and old-fashioned looking for such a vibrant color. Maybe find something in a neutral color that is sleek and simple along with a simple knob for the top drawer if you decide to paint the details of the piece; if not, I'd suggest something more ornate like the pulls from Anthropologie.

I like the hardware, but then again I'm into vintage... I'd just add back the gold paint, but I'm weird like that.

You should paint some kind of funky pattern in the inset squares. Something like this:
http://www.ofallthefish.com/home/2011/6/8/post-37.html

I also agree glazing would look really nice and pick up some of the edging and details. This is something neat to try too: http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/2010/09/tin-foil-nightstand.html

Instead of white or nickel hardware, maybe consider something in glass or crystal - especially for the pull knob. It would have a classic feel that reflects the piece, but it would be a little bit glam at the same time.

I disagree with white hardware. The old hardware is charming.

I would paint the details on the top drawer and the legs white or cream to make them stand out, though.

I agree with Anthropologie-style hardware.

i agree with redcrayons....i love the original hardwares.

white hardware, like pretty white depression glass knobs.

Have a piece of mirror cut to fit the top to make it glam!

I keep looking at the Before and when I see the After it does look a little bleak by contrast. If I can just get the first image out of my mind I'd leave it just the way it is, but then again I have a more subdued design style. I do love your color choice!

The color is gorgeous. Great choice! My advice echoes everyone else. You need to do something to bring out the details of the piece. Either paint them white or paint a darker wash in the crevices of the detailing.

Here's some examples:
http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/24849506_fBcVL04q_c.jpg

http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/33665078_FvRfF9Hb_c.jpg

That poly will make all the difference. It's the matte that's making it look unfinished.
BTDubbs: Anthropology is having a sale on some cute knobs: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=973605&catId=SHOPSALE-DECORATIVE&pushId=SHOPSALE-DECORATIVE&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=570&color=042&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=S973166&catId=SHOPSALE-DECORATIVE&pushId=SHOPSALE-DECORATIVE&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=570&color=min&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E

You need to bring back some of the gold in the rosettes and the rectangular dado.

I'm with Ashley23, Keira, and Musikmama. If you're hesitant, try it first with regular watercolor -- yep, kids' watercolor -- and test it on a small area. If you don't like it, you can clean it up right away with water. If you do, go for it!

Paint the hardware black; do a *light distressing with sandpaper then use a stained paste wax all-over to highlight the details; finish with a coat or two of clear paste wax. This type of look (with instructions) is all over the DIY/Thrift blogosphere.
Miss Mustard Seed is one that comes to mind but there are plenty other blogs that have shown this technique. It's a great little table!

Definitely need to bring out the details, rosettes or a rectangle around the drawer front like the original. I would go with a bright coral red :)

Glaze it. I would suggest white.

I like the color you chose; it is cute, and suits the piece well. Add me to the huge chorus of "change the hardware." I'd go with nickel.

@goodall: spam included with a comment is still spam.

I am not an expert on any photo editing but i think something like this would look nice:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd400/maboujot/061511-goodquestions3.jpg

I would also outline the inside of some of the drawer details in white but couldn't do it and make it look good on the paint program I was using. Good luck

:o)

I agree with the suggestions. Swap out or spray paint the hardware. I'd go with silver for the hardware if you paint it.

Also, you can paint the top of the piece white and some of the details. Slap some high gloss on the top.

Could be cute.

Does anyone else think this is the happiest looking piece of furniture ever? its a hardware smile!!