Sorry for so many pictures. The anthropology mugs come in a variety of prints like this. Any suggestions for the top of secretary as well. I thought perhaps a crane/bird maybe. Thanks.

I would keep it white, paint the back only in a strong version of your wall color (ie it looks like room where secretary is located is painted a light green, so paint back in a much darker tone of the green) and decorate with solid white ceramics. the white stuff will really stand out. here is a pic that sort of illustrates what I envision, except they used colorful doodads and I think it makes it busy and distracting)

these are shelves but they showcase the painting technique Im suggesting. The doodads are also sort of monochromatic so they really stand out. Here they used a dark blue grey or is it gray blue? whatever. Instead of pics and candles, can be coastal décor or whatever you want to showcase.

I'm with AK. It would look fab in a fun color of your choice.

My first thought was to paint it, too. It would stand out so nicely against the wainscotting. When I looked at this angle/pic, the green pillow really jumped out at me as a color to carry into the dining room, so maybe that would be a good choice? I'd leave the inside white to showcase your display.

Your home is really inviting!!

first, thsnk you for the compliments. Warm. Cozy. Inviting has always been my goal

I love the idea of painting it. Just never knew what color. Oly, are you saying leave the inside white in paint or display? And if in display, what do you think of my selections?

Bossy, I really do like your idea of a bold color (deeper green than walls) and decor in white.

I like bossyvossy's idea of adding color to the back of the hutch. If you don't want something permanent, you can always paint or paper pieces of luan and place them right against the back. Instead of paint, use a nautical chart from the area. Instead of dishes, have you thought about a large shell(s), pieces of coral or driftwood? How about a large platter or decorative bowl? I'd suggest a few larger pieces rather than a lot of smaller ones.

There is a great deal of white in your space. How about painting the exterior of the piece a deeper green or blue and the interior the darker color in your curtains or just leave it white? I know this is not exact but this caught my eye.

Also if you want to leave the left door open you can hang something on it. Sort of like this but in your taste and colors.

I meant leave the interior paint white so your colorful display would stand out against the paint.

aktillery9 beat me to it! I was also going to say you have alot of white going on there. You want to bring blue in - I love that blueish aqua color of the bowls and pieces in your open cabinet picture. i would bring some of that color into the dining room. The cabinet would look great painted that color! I know it is a secretary, but since you are using it in a dining room, I would dishes, etc. in the top rather than "doodads". I like the mugs and plates shown in the open cabinet picture also. I am sorry, but I do not care for the starfish plates. I know you want a coastal feel and that is fine but I would not get too "themey". Love your rooms and the colors. You have done a great job!

From looking at your hutch, you would be the one I'd go to on how to decorate shelves! You definitely have the knack for open shelf decorating.

I'm not sure about a coastal theme, do you live in a coastal area? I would go with the flow of your hutch. Now I'm going to have to check out the mugs from Anthropologie!

Funny, before I scrolled down and while reading the OP, I was going to suggest adding bead board to the back wall of the hutch. I would also remove the Federal crown and attach a simply crown moulding.

Oakley, thank you for such a kind compliment. Yes, I do live near the coast...2 miles from the beach. I've lived near a beach almost all my life, though not in this particular town. That's why so much of my furniture is light.

Tibbrix, I never thought of changing the molding. See how one thing leads to another...we are never done!!!!

Thank you for all your ideas. LOVE them all. Now to decide...

decor, I recently bought a small cabinet to hang on the wall, and it had that Federal molding on top ,which I didn't care for. I removed it, spent $5 on new moulding, had a contractor friend cut it because I could not get the angles right myself, painted them and attached it. What a difference! Yours would be even easier because the corners are right angles, so all you have to do is a simple 45-degree chop.

If you add bead board to the inside of the upper part, though, I would probably add it to all three sides, in which case you would also have to cut 45-degree angles for the corners, but 45-degrees is an easy cut. You need a mitre saw, though.

Those two things are very easy changes which would make a very big difference in the hutch and make it much more amenable to a coastal theme and feel in the room.

I too thought about removing the federal style molding but it isn't really absolutely necessary if you like it. But if you don't like it, it is an option. I think it might look too stark with nothing on top. What I would suggest, real simple, is take the stuff off the top of the hutch. In all these inspiration photos the tops are bare. To me it adds a layer of fussy-ness that you are seeking to streamline away from. Nothing wrong with putting things on the top, but it draws attention to a part of the hutch you'd rather downplay anyway for your new look. After that, I would think the sky's the limit on what you could do with paint!

Maybe this will help you decide yea or nay on the crown moulding, Here is a pic of the cabinet I bought and removed the Federal trim from and added the top trim.

Tibbrix, thank you for the detailed info and picture. Your cabinet looks beautiful. Great job!!!

PinkMtn, I always think I need to put things on the top, but I have to agree that less is sometimes more in this case. I will have to play around and see what looks good.

So grateful I have you all to come to. Thanks so much

There are MANY pics of painted secretaries at this LINK.

This one makes me think of yours a bit. Shows one with a bit of 'age' to it. :-)

One with a stenciled back, but wallpaper could be used. This one makes me swoon.

Back to blue and white! Wallpaper or fabric could be decoupaged to the front of yours with Modge Podge.

It is white, the wainscoting is white ... it's getting lost. The tea sets are pale, the inside is white ... they are also getting lost.

I would keep the tea sets and paint the secretary and the inside of the secretary two of the stronger colors from the tea sets, with the darker color inside.

My3dogs, that looks like mine and I love how they did that. Thanks for the link. I'll have to look it through. That blue is so pretty

Lazy-, yes it's blah the way it is. I am leaning toward a green darker than my walls but in the same family. I am tired of my teasets but perhaps after changing the color it'll come back to life

I would definitely paint it, but in a decorative fashion, using the bold colors you want in the Fiestaware. I'd doll up the spindle legs and probably paint something on the drop-leaf and top that represent your style. Might even paint the drawer fronts a different solid color. I'd pull in the colors and other influences from both rooms.

Chalk paint is your friend. Of course not in these colors, but secretaries are perfect for this two tone technique.