The Caribbean beach meets New England country. Its the contrast between the old early American style desk and the art that's the problem. Sell the desk on Craig's List and shop there for a more contemporary replacement in white or a color from the art.

or get a nice oak board to act as a shelf for above the buffet. put the stereo on that.

or do something like this for the stereo (it just doesn't look right on top of that piece)

Next photo I will change the artwork. I do like the display you shared!

I am considering staining the cabinet a darker color and changing the hardware. Everything else wood is darker with an asian feel. I live on the ocean and have a lot of Hawaii prints/photos from my trips.

kitelady,, I work with tons of antique and vintage wood pieces like yours. staining that darker wouldn't be recommended. That particular wood stain has been there for over 100 years. It has a deep patina. You could try doing a darker gel stain, but I really don't think it would look all that great. You might end up w/blotchy spots unless you completely strip it back to raw wood.

However, If you wanted to do a cool milk paint treatment, that would look great! You obvisouly could do a white or black, but since you're at the beach, maybe some of the blue colors.

I did one in a cobalt (leaving some of the wood. this one was bought by Lucilles BBQ in Las Vegas!)

or more of the turquoise shades to match your artwork

and before anyone jumps on me for painting 'valuable antiques',,,these were not. some of these were in pieces and I had to glue back together.

if you're in SoCal, I'm for hire!

I wish I was! Clear on the other side of the U.S. in Florida. It has never been stained. Mom use to put furniture polish on it for protection. I believe it is pine. I just don't like the "reddish/orange tone". So what would calm that down? I really love the blues and greens you have used!

yes, it was originally stained. and no it's not pine, it's quarter sawn oak. just like the one in pic #2. see the last pic? that's how I got that one. see the top? that's raw unstained wood. your's has a coat of 100 year old stain. the only way to calm down your color is to strip off 100 years of everything and start new.

no furniture polish please. you could try de-gunking it with mineral spirits. it will take off all waxes. hopefully you only have the stain and no topcoats. give multiple cleanings w/mineral spirits. you could try using some gel stain to see if it will absorb. the top will prob take easier than the fronts. If it absorbs, you have open wood pores. if not, you'll have to strip off the top coat. try the spirits first.

try some Barkeepers Friend and steel wool on those handles.

Mine is pine, mine was never stained, just aged since 1904 or about. Unfortunately Mom used furniture polish to "to care" for it. I have had it for 15 yrs, no polish since then.

I don't mind the contrast between modern and antique. To me the "unfinished" feel comes from the accessories on top all being approximately the same size and especially height. When I look at the second picture that Beth H posted, the accessories on top are a variety of heights, shapes, and visual weight. Your plant pots, the dark portion of the vase filler, and the stereo are all approximately the same height.

Love the change in accessories!

I am searching for coffee table/end tables. So here are pictures of the sofa and side chair. Sofa is dark blue, side chair is dark brown, the rug is white shaggy. The wall opposite the sofa is the original photo with the buffet.. The TV stand is dark with slotted doors and elephant style feet.

Is there anyway we can get pictures with more lighting to help with the coffee table?

Austin Master Suite · More Info

Austin Master Suite · More Info

try these! and thanks so much.. the side table to the right of the chair is covered in same material as the drapes I made. the legs are dark wood like the TV stand. But I find myself leaning towards glass coffee tables. I love the airy feel on the whitish gray rug. The drapes are green with shiny silver circular patterns.