First I took off all the doors, shelves, etc. Then I painted with 2 layers of a Martha Stewart paint. (I was trying to do it pretty fast and I don't intend to keep it very long; otherwise I would have used a primer first). Let the paint dry completely between coats. Next I brushed the entire thing with a metallic glaze (also a Martha Stewart product from Home Depot) and then wiped the glaze off with a damp cloth until I liked the amount of glaze left. Then I sanded all the edges and wiped them with a minwax stain to give more of a distressed, antique finish. I filled in the holes with wood putty and added some knobs. I also stapled some chicken wire inside of the door. My husband cut a board for the back for me also.
Overall, I thought it was a major improvement and it looks pretty cute in person. If you have interest in repainting a piece of furniture, there are some great resources available. Searching pinterest for "repainting furniture" or "refinishing furniture" should get you started.