I'd ask a professional for how he would 'refresh' the finish and then add more linear handles.

not unless you are willing to sand literally every square inch, nook and cranny. stain won't penetrate into varnish. some people try to use gel stain over varnish, but it could wind up streaky and uneven.

to spruce up the furniture, try wiping it down with some old english and see how it looks. maybe consider getting simpler new handles -- something like below, but in brushed gold.

then try to decorate around the furniture accordingly. for example, that dark red rug doesn't go with it. a really easy look would be all white for the bedlinens and curtains, and a simple sisal rug. add color with accessories, such as throw blankets and pillows. (google "french country bedroom" for some good inspo.)

I've learned by watching years of Antiques Roadshow, that the only furniture too precious to refinish is from the 1700's or handmade by a famous artisan. This is neither. But it is a great set that you want to treat well. Take a couple drawers to the refinisher and ask them to try out some stains. My refinisher is very helpful in this way. I think it makes it more interesting for them.

I agree with Seattle: don't stain the lovely furniture; lightly sand and finish drawer fronts with matching stain or clear. (Finish looks more like a light maple or birch, not mahogony) Your daughter can modernize the room in other ways: dark accent wall that harmonizes with existing wall color; more dramatic bedcover that harmonizes with the golden tones; modern rug with a little of the golden tones; modern lamps, bolder art over the bed with gold tones

accent wall with art in golden tones with less fussy bedcover and throw:

Bedroom Retreat · More Info

rug that echoes wood stain from furniture:

Surya Serene 8'10"x12'9" Area Rug · More Info

Sam Table Lamp · More Info

I had a Waterfall bedroom suite and when I remodeled, I had it professionally refinished. As others have pointed out, unless your furniture is truly a rare collectible, refinishing it so that it no longer has the original factory finish doesn't impact.

Be warned that refinishing furniture by a qualified professional is not cheap. For what it cost me, I could have gotten very good new stuff but there really wasn't anything I liked as much as my Waterfall stuff so I didn't mind spending the money since I was getting essentially new furniture.

FWIW I didn't bother with the bed since it was a double bed. I had actually gotten rid of the wood frame when I got a queen size bed. For the bed I went with an upholstered frame which has a vaguely Art Deco feel so it complements the Waterfall style without being matchy matchy.

It cost me $1000 to refinish a tall boy in maple and repair a section of the veneer that was coming lose.

I think you would be better off just cleaning it up.

It’s beautiful!!
Love the detailing.
I’d change out the hardware
And remove the glass top of the dresser.
And possibly update the mirror.
But looks great as is. I wouldn’t stain.

I’m in the “clean it up but don’t try to sand and refinish it” camp. If there are any particularly problematic areas on the furniture, a good woodworker-craftsman-refinisher could do repairs or touch-ups. Seattle MCM’s suggestions of the new hardware and white linens are great, but I disagree with a sisal rug. They are too scratchy for a bedroom where you would be walking barefoot. Select a style of hardware that goes with the lamps and the furniture – nothing too modern. The red rug and the dresser cloths under the glass on the nightstands could be stored away, along with the old dresser hardware. Without seeing the rest of the room, it’s hard to know if the furniture could be arranged any other way, but it seems like the TV is too large for the size of the room. Let the furniture be the star. After all that is done, see if the room needs some color – perhaps a solid color linen accent panel at the foot of the bed and matching pillow covers. Love the retro accessories on the dresser!

Those are quite nice pieces, love the detail on them.

I am in the camp of "clean, repair, and refresh the finish" but don't restain or paint. They might never be of great value like antiques, but they do have value if properly restored.

I am inclined to think that the pulls on them might not be original - maybe they are but they don't seem quite right for the style of the chests. I would look for a simpler, arched pull instead. Maybe a dark bronze would work nicely with the wood tone.

It takes a bit of imagination to make vintage pieces look their best in a modern room - have to beware of overcrowding, and try to make the other decor elements complement the wood.

You can also change out the legs for a simple update

Hardware is what I’d try first. (Please mount the tv to the wall securely.) Otherwise, I think the bedding and decor will make bigger impacts on style.

You can also change out the legs for a simple update

that's a very interesting idea! what about putting smaller legs on it so low that you can barely see them. they could be stained to match, but since it would be tucked under there in the shadows, it wouldn't have to match perfectly. important: you just need to make sure the smaller feet are attached to a structurally supportive part of the furniture. if that isn't possible, then get somebody handy to help engineer something, such as low wood platforms that are barely visible. you might even be able to get away with setting the furniture directly on the floor, if it doesn't make them too low.

I also suggest replacing the mirror.

This ^^ is definitely a cleaner and more modern look, but I would hate to see the charming feet and framed mirror go (especially if the intact set is really worth $9K as you say). If you make any changes, save the pieces you remove, just in case.

oh yes, totally save the pieces!

Your daughter is lucky to have such good quality furniture. She will be able to use these pieces for many years to come. My input - do NOT stain, Instead: 1. New pulls, 2. large rug, 3. update wall color; 4. New bedding. Is there too much furniture in the room ; the TV appears precarious?

I have a feeling the pics are from the grandparents house, not the daughter's room?