How can I make over these handles when upcycling this cabinet?

The little plates behind the handles are called escutcheons. Did you try taking the nuts off? The escutcheons should come right off as the handle typically holds them in place. If you can’t get them off, just wrap everything up in painters tape. Before you paint though, you might want to find out what kind of value this cabinet has first.

I agree with BEcky. You definitely should try and remove them. Also in Ceramics prior to spraying them

to be fired, we brush on a wax then remove it when spraying is complete. Not sure how this would work with metal, but your local hardware store should have something. Taping will have to be real tight with no openings so this will take awhile to cover them. This will be beautiful when done, however the handles make the piece.

I the "cutcheons" may be pied off quite easily by inserting a very slender metal device beneath the rim. They are likely being kept on from years of being attached by the handle's screws. If you are redoing the cabinet, any damage done by wedging them off can easily be repaired.

You can cover them with wax and painter's tape to protect them if you can't remove them. Since you are painting, you probably aren't too concerned with authenticity so you might consider replacing them.

Beautiful old cabinet! And LOVE the old hardware! Are you SURE you want to paint this! Maybe you could refinish the top and doors in new stain and poly and just paint the rest. Some nice details in the doors that would be covered up with paint!

The escutcheons on the doors look like they are tacked on top and bottom. The nut just hold the handle place. The nut on the drawer holds the escutcheon and handle. The loop for the round handle is part of the escutcheon. Remove the nut and the whole assembly comes off as one unit.

I can't really tell from your picture the size but it looks to be Walnut Wash Stand from around the turn of the century. I don't know if the accent veneer is inlaid or applied. If inlaid it could be of value. I'm an appraiser and depending on where you live you may want to just polish it and sell it rather than ruin it with paint. If you want a painted piece get something at a thrift store not a valuable. Hope you make some money.

Hello there, This cabinet is Edwardian, with Boxwood banding, and would come up well if you used Beeswax all over it and then buffed it up when dry! Nice detail on doors and great handles. Good luck!

Try WD 40 or alcohol/ paint thinner from front and back. There also sprays available for this purpose. The screw heads maybe be clogged with varnish. Remove the hardware from the back, bit patience maybe necessary