Lovely lamp & the beast

So yesterday was a pretty good day. I finally solved my decor dilemma in my bedroom. You know when you just can't get the look you want and you try&try&try. I know most of you know what I mean. Well mine is ovah!
 
I've tried greenery on this chest of drawers in different containers and none of it looked right to me.  I went shopping through my stash and found this little lamp I picked up in an antique store.

  I love the warm glow and it's the perfect night light.

I had to rewire it with a lamp kit and it's a little wonky but, hey, it's old!  I  was glad it already had an adapter for the wire.

I love the shape and it's pretty heavy too.

So now that I can check that off, I'm going to focus on the beast...this big, dated built-in bookcase in my den.  I'm not going to show the whole thing because it looks terrible and until I have a gorgeous after, the befores will have to wait..here is a peek at what I have to work with though..don't be jealous..

Formica top that we are covering in Oak veneer.

PANELING!  Thank you previous owners for including this in the build!  We are covering this with beadboard.  

So, as you can see, we have our work cut out for us.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to post this piecemeal because it will probably be so thrilling to me that we're finally doing this that I won't be able to contain myself!  Totally random question here..but is anyone else watching Top Chef? Wonder who is going this week...