Wow that is a pretty piece. Once you fix the hardware, I would sand it all down. start with 180 grit and work your way up to 220. Then clean very well with tack cloth and vacuum. You could paint it or stain it. You will have to decide on that. If you want to stain, follow my directions in this post:

https://karupp-did.net/bench-part-2/

The furniture piece I stained in that post came out as smooth as if it was brand new from a store. I couldn't believe it.

If painting, prime with a really nice primer like B Moore. If it was my piece I would paint with an expensive paint that won't chip or wear.....Benjamin Moore ADVANCE is a cabinet paint but looks lovely on furniture when done right. You can get it in any of the B Moore colors. I just did a piece in Paris Rain color..... It's gorgeous! And in between color of greenish/grey. When you are putting a ton of work into something, spend the money on paint that won't be a headache. That Benjamin Moore paint has self leveling properties so if you don't have a sprayer, it will minimize brush strokes even when using a brush.

Check out this post where I used Benjamin Moore ADVANCE in Linen white:

https://karupp-did.net/fetor-to-fetching/

Good luck! Looks like a fun project.

You can so do so many things if you refinish. It depends on the style and colors of your current decor that you may want to match. Here is a fun refinish though just for inspiration https://www.hometalk.com/8173275/how-to-refinish-a-kitchen-table-re-do

How to Refinish a Kitchen Table Re-Do

Hello Janna,

Had you thought to Wallpaper or Contact the Shelves and the Drawer fronts? That could be enough to make it sing another song! Or maybe Gold or Silver Edges to the Shelves and the drawer handles. Marble the whole piece! Paint in Funky colours? Depends on where/what it is to be used for.......................

I just redid a shelving piece that might help and inspire you - https://chascrazycreations.com/diy-shelf-furniture-makeover/

Janna: you could cover the pulls/handle with painter's tape and then use this product:

https://www.anniesloan.com/techniques/how-to-use-chalk-paint-by-annie-sloan

Hi Janna, I would clean all the metal up first then tape if off with painter/frog tape, You could pick a great shade of chalk paint to keep the vintage look but make it look gorgeous and clean, something like a country grey, french linen or coco on this color swatch, they will go with the brass hardware, hope this helps you

What a great piece! Paint the wood with a fabulous shade of Fusion Mineral paint. Then use gold (or another metal you love) rub’n buff on the hardware.

I can see your concern about the hardware. Protect them with a good quality painter's tape. It may take longer to tape them than refinish the wood. The graining on the wood is fabulous. How about lightly sanding it and then staining the wood? Gel stains, for example don't have to soak into the wood as much. Unicorn Spit comes in elegant colors. I'll look for some links to give you an idea or two.

https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains/minwax-gel-stain?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%20-%20MINW%20-%20Stains%20-%20Exact&utm_term=minwax%20gel%20stain%20colors&utm_content=Gel%20Stain

https://unicornspit.com

I might use something like this for the metal:

https://www.amazon.com/Honbay-Imitation-Gilding-Crafting-Decoration/dp/B07JG4LNDZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=metal+gilding&qid=1583709256&sr=8-2

I see some great solutions for you and now what to choose?

What other pieces of furniture are in this room and do you want this piece to compliment them or stand out as an access piece?

Are you willing to remove the hardware or are your able to not have brush strokes in circles around it, if you mask it?

For example, if this piece is going to sit on a wall, away from other pieces, then embrace the “Chinese” pulls & make it Chinese ox blood red lacquer color.

Have you thought about painting it? It would look great painted with a mineral paint.

I think this would look great painted and if the handles are nailed in you should be able to pry the nails out. then replace the handles with more modern ones.

I would take it apart to clean, sand, prime, and paint it. Be sure to put the hardware in your crock pot. Fill with water just to cover. Set it to low and leave it alone for 24 hours. They may need a little cleaning with an old toothbrush, and everything will come out looking like new.

Sand and paint any color you like.

I think I would use a chalk based paint that sticks to everything. It would look great in white. I would paint right over the hardware and see how you like it. If you need to go back and paint the hardware using a metallic paint then you can.

You can pry the hardware off gently with a flat head screw driver. Or tape it off before painting.

I would paint it like a cream color then get a stain and a roller that has a wood grain texture on it so when you roll it it leaves wood grain look