Definitely cottage cute potential there. With the right paint treatment...maybe a bit of distressing...and vintage style hardware, it would be darling!

It doesn't look cottagey to me, but maybe with some crackle paint...?

It will be great with paint and distressing.

I think with paint it can look cottagey. You could remove the doors to the hutch to have open shelving if the arch bothers you.

I think this piece would look terrific with cottage decor if it were painted. The curved detail on the doors fits with cottage style, IMHO. It would be fun to replace the glass with chicken wire for a sort of French country flair.

Oh man, we're looking for something exactly like that to paint and put in our dining room. I say snag that puppy and paint her up!

I think it's perfect, especially painted. For a more cottage look I'd remove the doors for open shelving especially if you plan on displaying special things that won't be hidden by the wood on the doors.

You can always change your mind and put the doors back on it.

Thank you all sooooo much for your terrific comments and suggestions!! You are Awesome!

Thanks to your replies we have decided to... (as lukkiirish put it) "snag that puppy and paint her up" (too funny!). We are scheduled to pick it up this Sunday! Hooray!! I'm very excited (and a touch intimidated) about my first cottage style makeover project.

I was thinking milk paint might be fun to try for a cottage look - has anyone here used it before?

As for the doors, I think I'll paint them and live with them for a while first, and if I'm not happy with them, I can try your clever ideas of using chicken wire, or removing the doors completely and going with open shelves instead.

Wish me luck, and thanks again! :)

I can see this piece with some antiquing, with some decorative paint on it.

I can't imagine it being called any other style that cottage cute! :)