No suggestions, but I think what you've done is gorgeous!

I think they both look absolutely wonderful, but have some preference for the first which has more detail on the top. Either one looks very classy and I marvel at your ingenuity. You will have a unique piece of furniture that will really add beauty to your room.

I don't think the one you have looks all that bad. But I do like the mock ups. Clever. I like the second one because it is simpler, but either one looks OK.

I love the look of number one, and commend you on the idea to reuse what you have. You've done a great interpration of the inspiration! Now get to work and show us you handywork!

I would love to see it stained one color -- very dark with the excellent mouldings -- and perhaps some kind of pediment on top.

Woah -- I'll take that big library unit in the ad! Drool.

I like the idea of what you've done, with a few modifications. The mouldings (and the fluting of the moulding) are too massive in proportion with the unit, and should not be a contrasting color. I think that is what is wrong with it originally. I guess it has to be as wide as the original in order to cover it up, right? In which case I'd put on the least obtrusive moulding as possible and then make it all the same color (paint it?) so as to tone down that issue.

Also I'd add a header at the top of the piece and put the crown moulding on top of that for some breathing room.

Finally, I'd not put feet on the bottom, but would put an apron around it instead. A nice tall one but again not too massive for the piece.

"just a few little changes" huh? LOL.

I'm not sure the adding the molding will repay you in time and cost of the materials. What about staining it all one color, to start? I'm not sure that adding architectural elements to knotty pine is really going to make one cohesive piece.

I agree with ideefixe that adding the elegant dark wood elements to knotty pine might not work together as well as you hope. How about painting the fluted moldings and other elements in a distressed black finish (starting with less expansive unfinished wood, of course). The elegance will still be there, but the whole piece will seem more cohesive in a kind of casually elegant style.

....I should have said less "expensive" wood, not "expansive". :-)

thank you all for your feedback. It will take me longer than Reno_fan to actually get something done with this project, as I will need to find time to draw up what molding pieces I need and so on...
I will show when I have something to show :)

Good luck with your reno! I think the end product wil be wonderful.
Lynn

Punamytsike, you are so visually talented. I love the first (contemporary) style. Agreed that staining it all one dark color, plus the gorgeous moldings, will "classicize" it more. Can't wait to see what you'll do.