I'd leave it as is. (Have to say the first pictures of it makes it look like a large piece of furniture. Smiled when the 3rd pic came up. And you copper flower bucket looks bigger then I expected.)

I like the idea of a color rather than the light paint. Perhaps similar to the lower wallpaper?

If I do paint, once I start, I will be
pretty much committed. The surface looks at least somewhat porous. Despite my having planned to paint
this for YEARS, I am having trouble visualizing this in any other color than what
it is now, or a mid to dark “wood”. Which I have enough of.

One advantage of the light color it is now
is that you can see the details of the carving really well. Though I never, ever
choose something in a light color….

Everything on the walls is painted, there is
no wallpaper (Even the border is painted textured vinyl). I had not thought of
tying in the bottom color.

I wonder if there is a way to do this in
some kind of diluted wash. Build up colors gradually rather than with an all-or-nothing
opaque coat. Maybe then add touches of other colors to the leaves.

Maddielee: yes, the copper thing is really BIG! Which is partly why I don't know what to do with it. The story of my decorating: like it, buy it, then scratch my head over it....

A very pale yellow would also be pretty

It's small. It would be great as a little altar/shrine if you're into that sort of thing. I would make it darker and more saturated. That light color is doing nothing for it.

It seems like you're hanging it in a rather odd place. What purpose is a small cabinet going to serve next to your china closet? It looks like a cabinet that might be hung in a bathroom to house toiletries,.

I would leave the finish as is (I agree the light color shows off the carving!) but hang it somewhere on a darker background so it shows up.

If you do keep it next to the china cabinet, I think it should go on the side with the doorway. It won't be easy to see on the other side between the large cabinet and the wall.

Your wall is painted, and not wallpaper? It's beautiful! I've done some rag painting, but haven't tried any more complicated faux finishes. Well, I did try to simulate tile once, but I wasn't happy with it and rag painted over it. LOL

Donna

i agree that it's size makes it look like a fancy medicine cabinet and the creamy white makes it look like one even more so... i would find a place in my bedroom or bathroom for it, as is!! it would be so pretty and handy there too!

i don't think i would hang it in the dining room, but if i did, i would probably try to strip and stain it...

Cute cabinet! I like the color now, but another idea is that you could glaze it to highlight the design. I have a similar style mirror (used to be white), that I rubbed a mocha glaze on. I went heavy, you could go lighter with the glaze if you don't want it too dark.

I know it would make a good toiletry
cabinet, but have enough of these in all my rather small bathrooms. I would either
put small items in there that clutter up my china cabinet (like candles) or use
it for CDs. I play them often in that room as I use the dining room table or the
adjacent kitchen table as a sewing table.

The painted wall was done over the period of
years. When I add something new to the dining room, I add streaks or sponging
of whatever color is needed. I told my kids (now in their 20’s) a few years back I was going to repaint it
when I got a “new” antique dining set. They had a fit. They said they could recall
the phases of their lives by what colors were added to the dining room walls.

MizGG, how did you mix your glaze?

Linnea, I use Valspar pre-mixed glaze, and have for years. I love it, and a little goes a long way. I brushed it on with a foam brush, then wiped off lightly with a very soft paper towel. Very easy to work with.

linnea, your painted walls are fabulous and I love your collections of 'things'! I definitely wouldn't paint that cabinet... especially given how you feel about it.

I would keep it as is or do what MizGG suggested. I think it will look great on your wall.