I would think it's possible. I agree that all that wood makes it looks busy but are you comfortable tackling the job?
At the worst you could take the doors in to a cabinet maker and let him do the removal of the strips.

Well it's not the nicest fretwork design I've ever seen but it's not horrible to my eye. I like the cabinet as is.

Here's a Google Images page to fretwork on china cabinets. Some of the photos show the pieces with contents in the cabinet and that may help you get an idea of how it would look. I'm sure it can be removed if you really hate it and in fact may even be on a separate framework from the door structure that can be removed in one piece.

Here is a link that might be useful: fretwork on china cabinets

Are the shelves fixed or not? What about getting glass to replace the wood? Try taking the wooden shelves out and see if that cuts down on the "busy" enough to satisfy the hubby.

I saw Vern Yip tackle the problem in a very simple way. He blocked off a large piece of the wall surrounding the t.v. and painted it a very dark brown. All of a sudden the t.v. was less noticed. Another suggestion is to find a long coffee table, preferable with a lower shelf. Place the receivers etc. on the bottom shelf and the t.v. on the table. This way you can put art work on the wall as you would normally and it doesn't clash. I have mine on an R.H. unit that is narrow and low. I continued the walls decorating as I normally would. I don't like a lot of clutter so it's minimal but it works for me.
In my lakehouse I just put it on an antique table.

With the right tool it probably could be done fairly easily. The only problem would be touching up where the wood has been removed so it matches the stain.

I would wait-- after the holidays things should pick up on CL if that is where you are looking!

I'd worry about the glass being stabilized. The fretwork may be providing some extra stability. Maybe a glass shop could tell you if the glass is secure enough to remove the wood?

i agree with pesky...that would be my concern.

Thanks guys! You raise good points ;)

So better deals after Xmas on CL?

I would take out the fretwork glass and install new glass, remove shelves and install glass shelving. Install pot lights in ceiling of china cabinet and paint the cabinet. I personally am not fussy on the colour that you have now.