Regarding the gel stain, you just need to sand enough to rough up the surface. I applied gel stain with a sponge brush, lighly sanded in between coats and sealed with a finish coat.

Shelly2, i've had great luck with the gel stains. All the pieces i've done have been on the larger side, and came out looking very good. You need to 'brush out' little bubbles and excess stain, but to me that's just common sense, just like painting. It's better to put on less rather than more. With 3 coats, I had the perfect depth I wanted. I mixed 2 corlors, but don't remember what they were, but dark was what I wanted, also.

As for the dark brown paint, I don't care for paint 'trying' to give the effect of wood. My BFF did a dresser in a dark brown paint and I think it looks awful. I can't tell her that, but it's not the same, or even close, to looking like stain.

If you decide to paint, chose a color instead. ;o)

Here is a closeup of General finishes Walnut over honey finished pine.

gmp3 - I just have to say the bathroom vanity is amazing!!

You've inspired us...we're going to try this in our powder room!! Thank you1

If you want to gel stain look for Celtic moon's instructions. It is pretty easy. I think she uses regular stain first but I just used the gel.

If you want to gel stain look for Celtic moon's instructions. It is pretty easy. I think she uses regular stain first but I just used the gel.

I'm wondering If the cabinets in gmP3's pic look more black than brown in person. I'm wanting to stain a desk more of a black and can't find a black get stain.

i also used general finishes Java, and in my bathroom it looks almost black (my husband still thinks it's black).

GMP3: Could you show me your walnut stained piece from a slight distance? My husband doesn't particularly like the "black" vanity, so this could be a good compromise for another bathroom.