Painting - dresser, changing of color

Help........In need of any advice on painting of wooden dressers. Recently purchased a childs 5 piece bedroom set. The color is a dull yellowish/bone, with grooved in flowers on all corners of the drawers. the flowerers are pink and green color. Would like to change the overall color. Not sure if stripping is an option. I was recently advised to lightly sand to remove the shine and then coat with paint. I've tried to determine the wood type, and had two different opinions given. One being that the furniture was pressed wood, with the paint baked on. And the second opinion was that the bedroom set was Italian, and very good wood. Is painting it an option. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Painting is ALWAYS an option. If not sure what the existing finish is then your best bet is to use a good primer like BIN 1-2-3 (available in latex and oil base) or ask your local paint retailer for a good conversion paint (in case your existing paint is oil based and you want to use latex.) Personally, I would use an oil based primer and finish although only if you want to maximize the end result; a longer lasting and eaier to clean finish. Then apply two/three THIN coats of whatever color/finish you want. Oh ya, make sure you sand it well to obtain a smooth finish BEFORE you paint anything. A light sanding between coats is also good. Good luck!