There are a number of ways to paint:

light sanding, followed by chalk paint. I personally don't like it but some people do.

Slap three or four thin coats of eggshell paint on - no sanding required but will chip/peel if knocked.

Full sand down - I advise investing in a decent electric sander, and then primer/undercoat, light sand again, then two topcoats of colour/paint of your choice.

I'm sure a professional on here will give you more detailed advice.

If you are keeping the rest of the décor I would go for an off white or ivory colour to match the window wall.

I tend to use a wood stain on the top of furniture I paint and protect with a couple of coats of diamond hard varnish. I find it is more hardwearing, but it does mean sanding the previous finish completely in order to get rid of the orange tone. I only lightly sand the rest since I use zinsser bin before undercoat and topcoating with satinwood.Zinsser bin is horrible to use and ruins your brush or roller but dries quickly and stops any knots bleeding through. I have used Valspar bookcase paint (without Zinnser) on smaller items which is easy to use and covers really well, but the colour range is a bit limited and I find the finish less hardwearing. My decorator sources foam rollers for me which are sort of rubbery in texture and they give a much nicer finish than the normal foam rollers you can get in DIY outlets. Satinwood takes a week to properly cure so don’t shut the drawers or put anything on top before then or you will get marks or sticking.

A cream or ivory gets my vote.

I agree with Sonia's comments. Maybe it's the light but the wardrobes don't look overly orange. I might be tempted to leave them and add a couple of cushions in a warmer colour. Maybe even leave the mirror too? In any case personally I would paint the chest and bedsides and re-evaluate. Good luck, I don't know where you are but it's going to be hot here this weekend so would take care when painting as it could be tricky/go wrong (I've had that disaster with chalk paint too!)

Forgot to say I used small foam rollers (not the hairy ones) which give a really good finish. Obviously a paintbrush on the awkward bits. Buy lots of them as it just isn’t worth spending ages rinsing them. I also wrap brushes etc with clingfilm to keep them fresh between coats.

Agree with other comments and I’d go for off white or ivory too. Invest in a sander. I use a little detail sander like the one in the pic. Makes the job a lot easier. Little sponge sanding block and some sand paper for fiddly bits. Remove knobs and paint separately. As for painting there’s lots of methods but I personally don’t like chalk paint, very tricky to get right. I like to sand, prime or undercoat, light sand again (fine grit), then you can use satinwood or eggshell or I like to use a flat matt emulsion with a clear water based varnish on top (3 coats for varnish). Sounds like a lot but the clear varnish really stands up well against knocks. I like putting a clear wax on top regardless of paint or varnish just because I like the finish when it’s buffed up. Mini foam roller and synthetic brush for fiddly bits. Hope this helps a little and yes, leave to cure for a few days so things don’t stick together.

Agree with advice above. I’ve done quite a few pieces -would not use chalk paint. I use a small black and decker detail sander (they don’t seem to last too long but are usually not expensive), then a good quality undercoat is vital (I use one made by Mythic which was recommended to me when I had a disaster with some Farrow and Ball paint which refused to dry, but am struggling to find a supplier now, so Zinnser is probably the answer)Then a satinwood - agreed it can get knocked but is a really nice finish and easily touched up. I use a brush but just because I like the finish. I used to use Graham & Green knobs (especially the crystal ones) but recently just purchased some from eBay and they looked great.

Thanks Sonia for your pictures - I've just finished painting my walls Slaked Lime and am going to paint a pine bookcase just like yours and tgross in Slaked Lime mid or Deep. I've been impressed with Little Greene paints - one of my walls was a different colour in Valsapr and I needed 3 coats, didn't like the final colour and don't think it had the depth I was looking for. Little Greene was a pleasure to apply and only took 2 coats. I've seen Zinnser recommended so much and had never heard of it, so will buy some of that too.

Couldn’t see all your photos when I wrote before. Agree with off white/ivory. I’d probably try a couple of testers in case some off whites are too yellow in your colour scheme. After that the thing which will transform them is the knobs. If it was me, I’d get a couple of returnable knobs and hold them against the cupboards once you’ve finished the painting. I just love the crystal ones in bedrooms but you might want to match your bed or curtain pole instead. And although I prefer a brush I’d definitely use a roller given the volume you have to do. Good luck!

Thanks everyone - really appreciate your advice. Sadly other things took over during the BH weekend so this is still on my to do list ;-(). I had planned to paint the small items first. I like the idea of off white/ivory so will get some samples. I also have a sander already. So it sounds like a good sanding down, primer/undercoat and then paint (not chalk) is the general consensus. I will get some tester paints. Thanks again for your advice and I love the book cases Sonia ;-).

tgross it was far too hot to paint anything last weekend! Don’t put pressure on yourself, just do it when you have a few days free. Good luck!

You’re right Sonia and thanks :-).

Chalk paint is fab if you use a decent brand - have used Annie Sloan on lots of old pine with great results and it’s quick and easy with no prep!

If you are not convinced buy a tin and try on a small item of furniture- I think you will be impressed! Good luck

I did use Annie Sloan and it was terrible.

I used Annie Sloan for my first and only foray in the chalk paint. I hate it. For completely untreated pine I use cuprinol - I like the matt finish and the way the wood grain comes through.

Each to their own - personally I have never had a problem and used it on numerous pieces

practice makes perfect and I find Annie Sloan and Frenchic incredibly easy to use with great results