Another angle

I love antiques, but imo the styles are just too different to use together, even in other colors. Can you use the top piece on a dresser or as a fireplace mantle? Since the buffet matches your table, I'd leave that as it is.

Maybe swap out the pillars on the top piece and replace with something similar to the bottom. Then refinish all the same color.

Painting it is not going to make it go any better. Embrace the difference and the history.

So if all that were mine I would get something like a William Morris runner (or make one) to arrange your collection on.

https://www.amazon.com/William-Morris-Flowers-European-Runner/dp/B00YFMJACI

I would replace the wire baskets below with boxes in wood or paper covered.

I would move the wreath out of dead center to the left side, and then put something else that is round or oval — a mirror, a vintage portrait, a large enough plate — on the right side to balance it.

But I would leave the odd couple alone, not painting or staining.

I would clear every off and restyle to add pieces that bring pieces together. Get proper baskets to store music. In fact, you can buy an antique music cabinet very inexpensively today. Here is little mock up to give you inspiration. I put the music in bamboo file boxes.

Here is just one I quickly found on line.

It looks to me like both pieces do not match in style. I would not put them together. Find another spot for the top piece❣️

I think if you painted them both it would tie them together

SW Teal Stencil

SW Olive Grove

SW Mineral Grey

Here just the bottom is painted

SW Alabaster

I appreciate everyone taking time to offer an opinion. I realize that this is definitely a mismatch of style and colour and understand those who suggested an amicable ”separation.” There is only one other spot where the top piece might be able to go, which is on the top of the antique pharmacy counter that is currently being used in the family room as a tv stand. it would essentially be hidden behind the large tv.

Thank you @Flo Mangan for suggesting restyling and using an antique music cabinet. I had always hoped to find one but I am actually a professional musician and educator with an extensive collection of music books (another design dilemma as I have them spread out over three rooms), and those pretty cabinets are sadly not hefty or large enough for my needs.

@Melissa Gallagher, I really appreciate the paint mock-ups. What a difference from painting both top and bottom! I have many pieces that I painstakingly stripped and refinished when I started antique collecting in the mid-80s. It’s weird to think that I am considering painting!

I guess my other option is a “divorce” where I sell the upper piece or find a better bottom and relocate the pine server.

Seems like you need a good home organizer to come in and help you with your organizing needs. You can regain control of your spaces with professional guidance. You have space but you are somewhat paralyzed right now. You need whole house solutions not just this one piece. It will really change your life for the better and free you to be more calm and creative. Best of luck.

You're trying to show off a lot of dark dishes against a dark background. Also, since there are two different colors on the buffet, it reads "busy/cluttered." Probably much more cluttered than it actually is. I would try to pick an option that shows a lighter color for the top piece. Having them both match in color definitely simplifies the line and ties them together, but I'm not sure both pieces are appropriate for a painted treatment. It's all the rage now, so if there's nothing spectacular about the paint, I'd consider it if you like that look. They both seem like you're not losing some beautiful grain or patina by painting both the same color or just the bottom one. I really like Melissa's suggestions. The bottom piece in a lighter color without wood grain competing for attention simplifies the line and makes the dish pieces pop.

I took all the pieces off today and gave it all a good clean. I think I should decide what colour to paint the walls before I make any changes. I am struggling with that choice but want something lighter and warmer. The family room and kitchen are BM mocha cream which I find very soothing and timeless and I want something in that family but lighter in value. I’m also thinking about how to address different storage needs. Perhaps this question was premature!

Well you have some sweet old pieces there Nan, so thanks for showing them! I love antiques. My house is full of them. My mom passed down her love of antiques and her antiques to me. Nice pieces are hard to come by these days. Mom and us kids went all over the boonies to auctions when I was a kid and picked up big solid wood wonders for just a few dollars. We had a big old Georgian house so room for pieces that were not popular original MCM phase. But Mom had some of that too. She had great taste. I still have a few things from her San Francisco bay view apartment, although we got rid of most of that when my folks downsized. I still have three solid redwood side and coffee tables though, ab fab. And a couple of other nice pieces such as lamps and art.

Its so nice to meet another antique lover. My parents immigrated to North America, so I dont have any family furniture, just some china and crystal. When I got married, I met a neighbour with lovely old farm pieces, and I began finding “ juntiques “ at garage sales that I could fix up or refinish myself. When we moved to a century home, I also started going to auctions and also worked at an antiques store for a few years. I’ve ended up with antiques in every room and good quality reproductions. I also have some nice teak pieces from my parents. The last time we moved, though, I was embarrassed by the amount of stuff I had accumulated! We had to live in a small temporary rental with everything stacked up around us. That actually cured me of garage sales and auctions! I’m not a minimalist, but I have all I need so I don’t buy more.

Look for a warm white or a white with a very subtle green tint for your room. Either would look great with the antique woods, and both would warm up and brighten the space.

@calidesign Yes, I was thinking that, too There are so many options!

@Flo Mangan

I have just found some used bookcases with doors online to replace the too small and unsightly music storage in the dining room. Thanks for the nudge to address an issue which has been bothering me for a while.

That’s great. Your music thanks you too! Let us know how it works out. I am looking for something similar!

Update @Flo Mangan

I just purchased a lovely English cherry sideboard to deal with storge needs and have moved the pine piece elsewhere. In person, the pieces are similar in colour, unlike how they appear in the photo. You can see the colour on the left pillar.

That looks like a really nice pairing! I am happy for you! Good job!

@Flo Mangan thanks! I have been working for days to sort through all my music and books, trying to get everything relocated to this room and some books also by the piano. Some have been donated or recycled. I appreciate your challenge to give this the attention it needed. I will post the new book units when I am finished. I’ve been trying to make them styled and pretty, but I actually need the shelf space for books not decor.

I have confidence in you! And you will feel so good when you complete this. When donating you are giving someone else the gift of music they might not ever get. Beautiful!!

I am almost finished the sorting process but have one stack music I need to keep. I have run out of room unless I put away the instruments and use that space for books. I wanted it to look pretty but I think it will end up being more utilitarian. Any suggestions on what I have done here? My computer is on the middle section behind the chair.

Thanks so much!

This is a big improvement from the former set up with music scores and books in three different rooms.

You can use the shelves for your books and music, and move the instruments to the wall on holders so they become art pieces.

@Flo Mangan do you have any feedback?