Good cover for that bare spot. It has been so dry here I couldn't make enough totems to cover it all. GOOD excuse to make totems, though. Jlily

Thank you! Is the Minwax sealer the same as their pre-stain conditioner? (I thought I remembered seeing an actual sealer in their product line in the past, but don't see it listed now.) Our local hardware store directed me to Minwax Polycrylic as the only sealer they stock that they would try on a floor, but I'm not so sure about that (I've used it in the past for furniture but Minwax advises against it for floors). Otherwise, most of what they carry that's floor-specific are the Bona consumer products--we used the Bona hardwood floor cleaner for a while before realizing it was only for polyurethane-finished floors (which I'm sure did wonders for our water-based finish...) and I presume the same is true of their sealants/finishers/etc. I see that Bona does list some waterborne finishes on their website, so I imagine the store could order these, if one of them would be a good fit (Indoor Wood Oil, Bona Traffic, a few others) but none are stocked. Another local store recommends Vermont Natural Coatings or AFM Safecoat, though I know nothing about either. We also have a Woodcraft that's a bit of a hike, but is a good source for the harder-to-find products like the General Finishes line, so I can head out there if there's something that might be a good fit there, too.

Replace ALL the trim? Dude...it's a 4,000 sq. ft. house. There's wood trim, wood built-ins, wood doors, wood library paneling, wood banisters and stairs, wood everywhere. Are you volunteering the $50,000+ I'd need to do that? I accept cash, checks, and money orders. :) Okay, I know you're right. I'm asking for the impossible, so let's back up and let me get more specific and practical. Why do you think the finish is varnish? Given the long drying time of varnish, would a builder use that on a house with tons of trim? Wouldn't shellac be more likely? I was thinking the finish was an orange shellac that was brushed on in one step. I'm told if I use denatured alcohol I can test the finish...and if it's shellac, the finish should disolve immediately. And if that's the case, couldn't I use new shellac touch up the scratches...basically use a tiny brush and go over the scratches to hide and refinish? Then maybe polish with wax? Has anyone done this? Is there a good resource for information on this...something more detailed than the Minwax website? This must be pretty common. I know I could go the wax stick or stain pen route, but those don't last. I don't need perfect, just good and long lasting. Most of the imperfections are pretty minor and haven't damaged the wood. You know...ordinary wear and tear. I'm okay with a little "patina," I just don't like the scuffy look of the wood right now.

Hi everyone, Oh, so nice to see so many friends rooting me on and taking the time to comment on this thread. I so enjoy "getting to know" the GW posters. All so sweet and kind. :O) GAgal~ Oh, that is gorgeous. I wish I had asked about colors before I ran out and bought my mistake. LOL! That sunroom is beautiful. I'm writing your combo down for future reference. You never know when the urge will strike to really "repair" mine. :o) I appreciate so much you taking the time to share your photos. Those walls are just gorgeous! When can you come over and play? :o) Oceanna and newhomebuilder~ Thanks for your sweet words. :o) lauraa~ That "panel" for fabric in my laundry room is actually fabric I borrowed from a fabric store in Chattanooga. I had to check it out and return within a week. It's gorgeous fabric. I'd be happy to share the name and phone of the store if you'd like to see about getting a sample. I'm not sure where you live. If it's a look you like, I don't think you'd be disappointed in this fabric at all. It's silk, has gorgeous body to it, nice and thick and beautiful colors. I love it. Unfortunately now I'm not sure it will work with my "dirty" old walls. I may have to go with the toile. I'll toy with the fabrics again after we get closer to move in and things slow down a bit from the Holiday pace of life. :o) Let me know if you want that store name. :o) Caroleoh~ I know exactly what you mean about laundry backing up and it being difficult to get it all done. I too have laundry going all the time at my CA house. It's much smaller, and the laundry room is tiny! I have a maytag frontloader there, and each load seems to take forever and a day. LOL! I am really pinching myself that I am finally going to have 2 sets of machines. Honestly, if I had been thinking more clearly, I would have put in 3 sets and stacked them. ON days I want to do bedding, towels it would be so handy. Oh well. I am loving having 2 sets and certainly won't complain. 5 kids plus 2 adults makes for a LOT of dirty laundry. Good thing I enjoy doing laundry. LOL! Okay, I finally found a minute to share a few photos with you. It has been another whirlwind here at our build, which I'm not complaining about. The lights are not installed on the 2nd floor yet, or I'd show you dd#1's pink marble shower that was installed today. My gosh... it's absolutely gorgeous. Even the worker men are saying it's the sweetest girls' shower they've ever seen. Another day.... when there's light. Meanwhile, I went in tonight and took a few photos to share with you. The lights are a bit blinding in there. I'm changing the recessed lights to a dimmer switch.... it's really bright in there! Good for days of scrubbing stains, but otherwise hard on the eyes with those shiny machines. LOL. :o) Okay, here is a shot of the "machine" wall. There are windows that flank either end of the machines. The cabinetmaker is building pedestals 18 inches tall that these machines will sit on eventually. So excuse the staggered mess they are currently in. I'm just glad they are functioning since we are in our RV behind the house! Anyhoo, I can't reach the area behind the machines without standing on them...... eeeks. So... I did not glaze the wall area behind the machines. We will be pulling these to the center of the room when the cabinetry is installed, so I will have dh move them a few days before installation so I can finish that wall up then. I know the original color doesn't look bad in these photos, but trust me when I tell you it was a bit more yellow than a giant school bus..... it was not attractive in that room! The glaze gave it a bit of a "dirty" look, which is not what I had intended originally, but I'll work with it for now. It does look more "old world" now, and I like that look, so I'm fine with my "fix". I prefer the new look to the old, that's for sure. LOL! I've left the paper covering my travertine for now, as I really want to paint the ceiling a darker color in that room. The pale cream is just not working with my darker glazed walls. What kind of monster am I creating? LOL! Here's the room with the unglazed portion behind machines and the glazing on either end of the room. :o) Here is a close up of the wall, which is actually truer to the real color/look. I know the full shot of the room looks cheap and tacky, but it really does look better IRL. I promise. :O) So thanks to all who rooted me on. You are the best cheerleaders, and I can't tell you what your kind words did for me when I was feeling soooo disappointed in myself. :O) You were just the medicine I needed! I don't think this room will stay this color, but I have so many other areas to concentrate on that it will probably stay this way for some time. And now I can enjoy my room as I had originally hoped to, without cringing each time I walk that direction. :O) Thanks so much!