I think it looks pretty cool as is, but paint/stain would work well too if youre staying away from too much patina.It a nice piece regardless -- but photos of your apt would have been helpful in choosing more specific advice for you

How about a cobalt blue or navy blue desk with white rustic/chic accessories?

I think it looks great as is too. I also like the eclectic mix of old and modern and would keep the way it is and then hang some nice modern piece, i.e. sculpture or abstract right above it!

I like it the way it is, but if the rest of your furniture (in 500 sf!) is creamy white, i'd strip it and stain it. Too much white=shabby chic. Maybe a satin walnut? From the sounds of it, i'd like to see a house call of your place!

I'd do a darker shade of the blue your Mason jar blue, so the navy mentioned above. Cute find!

I agree with Minue, take a darker shade of your wall blue and paint it. That will make it feel more modern, clean and fun in your otherwise whiteish space. And you havent mentioned a desk chair, paint that too either the same blue or maybe black. A little bit of Black grounds a space and would help move you away from a strictly shabby chic look. Add a funky desk lamp with a black shade.

I inherited an old sewing machine table (not one of the fold down types... its a desk height small end table with a secret drawer) and painted it a glossy dark teal color to coordinate with my modern furniture and robins egg blue walls. It looks great.

Using a glossy paint and NOT distressing it keep it from looking 'shabby chic'.

I painted a similar piece a neon yellow in a high gloss oil. Nothing I would ever consider for a wall but terrific as a accent pop. Makes it more eclectic modern.

I would probably not strip and stain it unless you know that the wood underneath is worth staining. As others have suggested, I'd probably go with a painted finish that adds a bit of color to your otherwise creamy furniture.

I like the idea of stripping to check out the wood and carrying on with stain or cobalt paint depending on how the wood looks. I would imagine that stripping the interior of the cubbies would be a hair-pulling activity. Maybe if you lines them with some pretty patterned paper.... Whatever you decide, it's a beautiful find!

I think it looks great as is. you can add some color to it by adding accessories ... like a fun bright colored vase and some flowers, desk organizers, or some old books. great find!

A bright, pure pop of color would definitely read as modern; maybe the cobalt others have suggested, a strong spring green, persimmon orange, pomegranate red, pure pink or hot coral? Or maybe that aqua color you find on vintage wall maps and globes?

Paint it a really glossy plum or kelly green, and put a couple accents on it like a lamp or picture frame in the creamy white like your other furniture.

Leave it alone - it's great As-Is

Stripping and staining those pigeonholes would be a lot of labor. I'd go with the accent color idea and not be shy.

I like allisonnf's idea. You'll have to sand the whole piece anyway before you paint, but she's right: sanding inside those cubby spaces, it won't be easy to get a perfect surface. Lining them with paper is a great idea.
That said, maybe you could find paper you love first and then choose the color accordingly.

I agree with the others that suggest using it as a pop of color, hot pink or neon blue being great choices. You could also gild it; it is not as expensive as it sounds. The big chain art/craft supply stores have weekly 40% off coupons so over the course of a few weeks everything can be had cheaply. I did this to a curbside find table and many years later I still receive compliments. Whatever you decide, have fun!!

I think bright, glossy painted furniture is going to look very dated very soon - but this is so classic. I would leave it since it fits your aesthetic and the patina is authentic.

It looks like it's been painted a few times anyway, so another layer of paint (especially glossy!) might not look not so great. If you want to repaint, you might consider stripping it first for that reason.

a pale yellow!

Soft Robin's egg blue, satin finish. Combining different shades of blue is modern. Satin finish on older pices is easier than high gloss and it dosen't show dings and scrapes. Cool desk!

Step 1: pick coordinating colors to the "depression era blue" and cream. I looked up a Ball jar b/c I had no idea what you mean and it looks like a light teal: light lilac, rust, mauve, sage green, light green, pale pink, a darker teal, or grey.
Step 2: pick what matches with other stuff in the apartment/YOUR style. (not ours)

A contrasting color might be a great pop of color! Maybe a deep purple or a saturated coral?

Cindy, wait! Don't stip or paint just yet. Love this desk, try scraping it down first. Leaving an open end allowing this peace to reveal its soul. I've found this technique very rewarding. If your desk truly wants to be painted or stained you'll know. Looking forward to seeing your desk in its new life.

Somehow the cubbies reminded me of the famous Nelson desk http://blog.iso50.com/322/nelson-swag-leg-desk/. Maybe you could play with the colour/wood/white combinations he used for his desk? Paint the cubby dividers similar coulours to his, the desk surface a glossy white and strip and refinish the legs and sides of the cubbies or something like that? I think that might look great, unique and individual.

Pumpkin orange to complement the blue and "POP"

High gloss bright yellow or orange.

Thanks everyone! Love all the great ideas.

allisonnf and Rapunzel: Loving the idea of lining the cubbies with paper. I think that sounds wonderful!

repaint it white, except INSIDE the cubby holes paint it bright (possibly fluorescent) orange!

I would leave it as is and find another place to eliminate the shabby chic element.

Lovely as is but if your just itchin to get creative, *grin* try painting JUST in the inside of the cubbies with a an accent color picked up from your furnishings or even leftover wall paint.

It will make a statement without the bold in-your-face pop of color that painting the whole piece might accomplish. 'Course if the boldness appeals to you, then take the plunge & go for it!

The great thing about paint is...its reversible=] . If you paint the entire piece & have regrets, just re-paint it white/cream & distress it a bit so the accent color shines through.

It's all a matter of taste...YOURS. Just be sure to post pics when you're done.

bless ya,

I would strip the paint and see what's underneath, then go from there.

When you are actually sitting at the desk, what color do you feel most comfortable with? Something bright and shiny? Maybe mauve or soft greens. What FEELS right to you?

I think a bright cheery color would be lovely, perhaps a bright apple green or yellow!

I agree with some pop of color that feels right to you--a variation on your blue, or even a nice rich red. Our house is fairly neutral, but we have a red, a purple, and a teal painted wooden chairs that migrate to different rooms and give some surprise and interest.