I don't think anyone can answer that question for you. No one is born knowing how to refinish furniture. So it's a matter of learning how, devoting the time, and acquiring the needed skills, materials and tools. Some people don't know where to start so don't. Some people get started and give up. Some complete and are not happy with the results. Some just would rather do other things with their time. I refinished my first piece when I was 14, as did my now 32 year old daughter. Both pieces are still in use. There are a number of "miracle" products out there that claim fantastic results with little effort. I generally find that you get what you pay for. If a $10 can of snake oil would do the job for everyone, there's be no refinishing business.

Thanks for posting the pics! The hutch is lovely and would be great painted as would all the other pieces. But, since you're hestitant to paint, why not leave it as it and make some painted or fabric covered boards to go behind the shelves and the area between the hutch and the bottom. Change the hardware to something a little more cottage/shabby - maybe glass ones. That, and the right accessories would really lighten the piece up. An easy fix for the tile table would be to have a round piece of wood cut to fit the tiled part and either paint it to match the color in the hutch or cover it in fabric. Then get a glass top to cover/protect it. The detail on the table edge is very nice. You could also remove the tile and do your own fun, shabby tile treatment. Tile can also be painted. Just protect it with a glass top and felt protectors. Are you using those chairs? I really like them and they would be perfect covered in the same/coordinating fabric as the valance as they have a very nice, romantic look. And yes, you can paint formica. It takes some prep work but it's easy(I painted my counters and it lasted for years with some care). Clean very well Lightly sand Clean again Prime with Kilz, use a light hand, let dry and give it one more coat. Let the primer cure for a day. Paint with your choice of paint After the paint is dry, apply 10 to 15 light coats of Minwax's Satin Finish Polycrylic. It dries very fast and you can usually apply another coat in 15 - 30 minutes but only if you applied a light coat. And that's pretty much it. I used pledge to clean and protect it. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of using what you have and making it the best it can be. :-D Here is a link that might be useful: Glass Pulls

To oakleyok - Right now, the website is so complicated because of the set-up, I can admit, it's hard to probably get customers to stay on it. Lol. Heres a quick and easy way to help you. Log in to DOMINIQUESDECOR.COM At the top, there will be a menu - First you'll see HOME and next to HOME you will see SHOP. Click on SHOP. Click on THE WORLD OF PRODUCTS CATALOG - located to the RIGHT. LOOK to your LEFT of the page, you will see "GO TO PAGE" - in that box GO TO PAGE: 30 CLICK FIND. THERE YOU GO! From pages 30 to 41, there are all types of BIRD HOUSES, FEEDERS, and BIRDBATHS. SORRY FOR THE INCONVIENCE. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST AND PATIENCE. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. Oh, I do understand you do not want to sign-up but if you do, you will instantly receive a $10 Gift Card. If you request not to receieve newsletters or anything that you are just not interested in then believe me it won't be done. I will stop typing now. Thanks again!

I would think it's a matter of whether you like the style and how it fits in with the rest of the furniture and the room. In terms of basic functionality it's not that different from most components of a wall unit - i.e. closed storage of some kind below and shelves above which are used for books, pictures, tchotchkes, other odds and ends as needed or desired. Many people repurpose these kinds of units that they have in their possession so it's really a matter of taste. My only question would be whether you would need additional storage for other items - other media and that you would be limiting the other options in terms of having to work around this definite style. But again, there is nothing inherently wrong with mixing stuff but it just needs to be done thoughtfully.