Hm, honestly, I'd leave it as is, but if it's that's too cute, I'd paint a dark navy or charcoal chalk paint over it. No sanding required.
I like it and certainly would use it.

Mike, that is a great find. Personally with all the layers, I would sand it down and either clear matte varnish over the natural wood or paint it with a color that is cohesive with the room you put it in. Sounds like a lot of work I know, but it's very rewarding to see the results.

I would also cross post this over in the Kitchen forum and look for CEFreeman to help you with some ideas. She has a ton of knowledge and creativity with this kind of stuff. Surely she could offer more detailed ideas.

It's an old pine cupboard -- bun feet. That is a hand stripping job that I wouldn't rush. It will be tedious. Then I'd repaint with chalky paint. Take a look at antique Swedish furniture and you will see the surface. It could go white, gray or pale blue very nicely. The hardware should be removed and stripped if possible. I would stay away from shellac, stain and anything polished. If done correctly it will be very charming though not worth a fortune unless you discover something dated inside.

Here is a link: Tone on Tone

thanks for the replies so far, and some interesting ideas. Like the blue effect on those Swedish drawers via the link.

I'd leave it as is but replace the hardware.

Something like these for the drawers

And a couple of something like this food the doors

Nice! I'd definitely do it. Strip it carefully- Citristrip is awesome. http://www.citristrip.com/ It's not as harsh and smelly as other paint strippers. You can glop it on, cover it with plastic and leave it for a while, and then use a plastic scraper. You might need to repeat the process.

Depending on how it turns out, I'd either leave it natural and wax it, or use a pale color chalk paint. I wouldn't replace the hardware. Throw it in a jar of the stripper and then use a dish scrubber to get the paint off.

i wouldn't strip. I'd sand the edges a bit and I'd go right over it with chalk paint.

Aubusson Blue

Or Graphite

Or one of the softer blues or greys. The paint is expensive but goes a long way. That's why I have Paris Grey everywhere :)

I'd just sand it down and paint it! I like the hardware :)

Throw the hardware in a pot of boiling water or let it sit in a crockpot. The paint will fall right off-no stripper needed. Great piece of furniture.

You could always put it in your house as it is. You say you like rough and ready. This will help you decide if it is useful enough to bother with.

Easier yet, I'll come and get it. Have pick up, will travel.

Any value is partially in the hardware. I wouldn't change that. I also wouldn't paint it to look new as I feel that would make it lose its charm. It needs a little age to look right IMO

Being it's an old piece I would assume that some of the layers of paint could be lead based. For information on how to proceed please read this article first.

If you don't want to repaint then steps 5 and 6 can be skipped.

Do yall really just paint over thick lumpy multiple layers like that? OP - do the doors close properly or are they stuck open by too many paint layers getting in the way of closing them. There's a point where it really does have to come off --- at least around the doors and drawers so they work properly.

I like it. I bet it's about 1880. That wood-color spot where the paint has chipped off? I enlarged the pic, it is faux-graining applied over more chipped paint. That thing must have 15 coats of paint. No telling what the wood is; if it's super-heavy it could be oak or heart pine (or just all that lead). To me it would be a find; probably a built-in or furniture made by the house-carpenter.
Casey

Gosh that is A LOT of paint layers!! I would strip it and since you like the rough and ready look, just poly the wood. Chances are the stain will be uneven. It should strip fairly easily given the age of that paint. Its simple lines will add to the ease. Great suggestion on all the hardware, boil them clean!! At a minimum to be in my house I would have to sand all the rough spots, loose paint etc. I would love to see the wood, but I am not much of a painted wood fan. What ever the "work" I would totally think it worth it to use the piece.

thanks for all the great feedback. now I'm even more undecided;-) Though I'm disinclined to leave it as is. To sand down and leave bare, or varnish, or paint.... all these and more possibilities. And thanks for the caution with the lead paint link~ it hadnt occurred to me.

What would you folks use it for, at least the upper part, if in living room, for example, or the kitchen? books and stereo in the former, my collection of moka pots and cookery books in the latter...?

I forgot to mention (maybe my avatar is a clue) that I live in Italy so I suppose certain branded products might not be so readily available here as they are elsewhere, or at least under the same name...