Your built ins are so cute. Are these your things? If so I would take the items from the taller end parts and mix them with the items on the lower shelf. The picture is hung at a less than ideal place I think.

It would give you more room if they were removed, but definitely use them some where else. I could see one of the taller ones in a bath room. If you keep them where they are, try updated drawer pulls and maybe a different counter top. That fabric on the counter ages it too. I think you're going in the right direction with sleek accessories like the blue vase. do you love the chandelier? Something more modern would help update the space.
I love the woodwork and windows!

Just to clarify, all the stuff that's in there (pottery, chandelier, etc) is not mine. This photo is from before I moved in. I don't have the space to move them into a bathroom, so if I remove them, they're gone. I'd like to keep them, just not sure how to utilize them.

What are you using this room for? I don't know anyone who has too much storage, so you could use the drawers for extra kitchen stuff, or gosh just about anything. I'm on the saving them side and won't budge!

I think they're so charming! But I agree with twocab1, they need a bit of updating. How much space is on the other side of the table? For some reason I want to say switching to a round table would help. This is one of those situations I'd talk to a professional decorator, because it does sound like you want to keep them (somewhere) and he/she should be able to help you envision that. Could they moved into the living room?

These could add a ton of style to the room! What if you removed the 2 taller cabinets so the shorter set looks like a piece of vintage furniture. Paint it a great color or black- new knobs and a wooden stained top! Storage in these older homes is priceless!

This room looks so much like an historical home in Olympia. WA where my father lived growing up. The couple who live there now invited me and two cousins to see the home and have lunch there with the current owner. It was so lovely because they had preserved it so well and there were places in the home that I recognized from photos of my dad, aunt and uncles when they lived there. They even had the original bathroom fixtures. It was a thrill I'll never forget.

So, if this home is old, you may want to work to preserve it. I didn't feel that my dad's house was old or outdated. I think that's because it was a classic design to begin with. If I remember correctly, the hostess had a great round wooden table and small chairs around the table.

It is too bad that someone painted over natural wood. (I know it wasn't you.) It is hard to tell what is on the top surface. Wouldn't it be great to find a piece or three of old marble to put on top, huh?

Right away when I saw these my eyes placed a row of small black & white ink drawings in wood or thin black frames along between the windows & the center piece. If the hardware on them is original I would keep it as is.

I would use the glass storage areas for very fine antique glassware. The center storage is perfect for large serving pieces, tablecloths, placemats & such. Have fun & most of all enjoy what you have been blessed with.

Also if you have a green thumb, it would be a lovely spot for orchids or african violets.

I love old built-ins. When I look at your photo I not sure what the surface is of the center section. I think it needs work though--and I not sure what exactly, but maybe quartz or granite surface would revive it.

I think the built ins are charming also. As in the photo below you can incorporate them with more modern furnishings, if that's more your style. A couple of ideas that came to mind would be to add a wood or stone counter to lower part, and maybe don't have area between window and counter the same as wall colour, and I wonder how beadboard or a mirror might look there. Also dont overcrowd the display cabinets with a lot of little items.