I'd position it with back against the other cabinet. It looks like it fits better that way. (2nd picture) It's really a cute cabinet! Have you tried some other places in your home that might showcase the interesting wood work on the top? What do you think of adding some feet to it? :)

2nd picture shows it filling the space best. It just doesn't work the other way, IMHO

I would go with that and let the hardware and top piece sneak up on people.

I like 2 better also.

I don't think it works well in that spot from a functional standpoint, people need room to maneuver around corners and in-and-out of doorways. I have found that when I have to think really hard about making something work, it's a sign that it won't. But that is such a great piece, perhaps there is another place in your home that will work... maybe near an exterior door?

It looks like clutter in that place and you'll probably be bumping into it quite often.

The gap created between the two is a dust bunny trap. You'll have to move it each time you clean.

In the period that it originated (as part of a sideboard, perhaps?) it would have had legs and/or casters elevating it. Without them IMO it's a lump on the floor.

Casey

I don't think it fits in the spot very well. If it has to stay, I like it turned sideways better (2nd picture).

i like the 2nd way it's positioned better of the two, but agree with others that i would find a different spot for it!

As an interesting side note, it looks like it would have originally been part of a Gentlemen's Dresser, like this one: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3687888/can-anyone-identify-this-piece-or-know-how-i-can-find-out-about-it?n=6

2nd

I don't think it works there at all. Do you have any other place to use it?

There really isn't room for it in either position.

That's a lovely cabinet! I'd encourage you to find another spot in your home for it--it looks like an afterthought there, and doesn't do it justice.

Sigh…. Its size for the space is partly why I didn’t buy it
the first time I saw it a month or more ago. I do have a couple of other places
I could put it, but I already have pieces I am cleaning up / repairing for
those spots. Plus I do need a home for the magazines. If it is not easy to put
them away, I know I won’t. If I don’t use this piece there, I will have to
bring back the small table I had there before, whose wood does not match.

I agree that it does look like it was originally part of a
gentleman’s dresser, and was taken off. My piece has a new (ish) floor which
you can see inside the door section. Someone went to a lot of trouble, as the
addition is done very well, actually set into tongue and groove strips. Plus
they added round metal feet of the kind you hammer in. I put felt pads on those
immediately so I can slide it out without damaging my hardwood floor. I could add legs to elevate it, but that
would be yet another project to add to a long list.

I’ll use it where it is for now (sideways) and wait for
inspiration to strike as to a possible other location. Finish color is best in that room, though.

If you decide not to use it, I have a perfect corner in my workshop. :)

One thing for sure, if you have it sticking out you will probably eventually break it off in some way. I know because I broke and repaired a similar piece in my old house three times, and it was already broken from the previous owners.

Picture #2 seems to be the best fit and it looks better that way than the other, IMHO!