A grain filler is intended to fill the tiny pores of grain to smooth out a finish on an intact, solid wood surface, so that's not what you want since you've got deep damage that goes down to the particle board. Try a quality wood filler (not a wood putty) like Elmer's or Minwax brand. Use a filler that's water-based, not solvent-based, as it will be easier to smooth out and cleanup where the patch meets the undamaged edges before the material sets up. (Also, a solvent-based filler could damage the existing finish.) Use a couple inch wide joint compound knife to spread it evenly; it may take more than one application because there is sometimes a little shrinkage. In order to get it perfectly flush with the adjacent surface, you may need to carefully sand it with a small sanding block. Good luck.

My email is crashed or I would give you a list of great sites for what you want to do. Favorite is FunkyJunk Interiors. If you go to her site there are many other links to find what you want to do. May take a while to get the right blog, but a fun time looking at all the creative redo so well done. They have weekly project themes on all and you can run a search. I too want to change out my mahogany metal curtain rods to a light aged look. Metal takes on spray paint well. Use a gray metal spray primer first. Then whatever color you want. Metal spays will be shiny, so a final spray of clear in your finish will tone down. If you want to age the pieces, do so before the final spray. Auto paint is another option and definitely a stronger coverage. But most spray paints off the shelf have become far better than once was. They seem to cover and go a long way than before. I have done my metal bed and it has held up great. The curtain rods are up for grabs since drapes will move across the top and not sure how well that will hold up. Here is a link for painting beds. Here is a link that might be useful: How to paint a metal bed links/pics

Olychick, I totally agree with you about variation and depth. That's what I was going for, even though I know I haven't achieved it yet. I love texture in decorating. I bet softening even just a few of the edges more will go a long way towards what you're saying. This is definitely a work in progress. I really wish the lighting was better. I will dig out my real camera and try to get some better shots. Thanks, rafor. I also agree with you about the sharp edge of the top of the white panel. DH suggested dental moulding, but I don't like that idea. I'm more inclined to put up a thin, one- or two-inch shelf with shells and stuff up there as I describe in my OP to funk up the top of it...haha...love that!

I think your cottage chest could work very well with your lovely new mirrored chest if you tweak it up a bit with glass crystal knobs and a flashy tray on top, and special lamp. You should wait for the bedding to make those choices — and maybe painting the chest pink is a possibility — but I think it looks fine for the chest to sit partially in front of the window as you have it. Does a bedside lamp like this on the left have any appeal? Or one more traditional? I think new ceiling lighting will nail the room. The only things thus far I would do differently are a new clock for the mirrored chest and no ivy valence. After you get the bedding, maybe adding a scarf valance in pink or green or a print would be a great touch, but for me the ivy doesn’t work.