It's easy, with the right products. Start with a wipe-on white stain: http://www.generalfinishes.com/retail-products/oil-base-wood-stains-sealers/oilbase-liquid-penetrating-wood-stains When you are happy with the white, cover it with a clear topcoat. Apply your glaze to the topcoat. ========== Change your technique - if you are slathering on the glaze and wiping off you can run out of working time. And, any glaze will "stain" whatever you wipe it onto. Wipe slightly diluted glaze on thinly with a soft cloth, building up the coats if needed.

Golden Oak has nothing to do with a species of wood,it is a stain color that can be applied to any kind of wood. Any professional interior remodeling contractor should have someone on staff to answer all your questions.

Jessica, I'm usually not a fan of those oak cabs, but yours look pretty nice. I like the kitchen. something as simple as a new counter and some tile splash would be all you would need. jhmarie has similar cabs. take a look at how she did her countertop and subway tile (more creamy tones) to see if you like that look. I'd go for more of a contrast. Since you have black counter chairs and the wood art work with black/wood (which I love!) , I'd paint the base of your dining table black. a matte black chalk paint. then wax the paint w/a dark wax. do the chairs too. leave the seats wood then you could do a Virgina Mist granite in a honed finish or do one of these white granites like in this pic I'd switch out the hardware/faucet to a matte black. freshen up the white trim. here are similar color oak cabinets w/other granite choices, so you can see how they might look compared to a darker, black top. river gold graniteanother golden tone granite and a creamier tone more of a black/gray/white stone.

I read your post and looked at your pictures. My thought was: "What a comfortable home - I could move right in!" So what really bugs you about it? I agree with removing the clock. You could mount the tv on the wall, (hiding the cords?) but is it really worth it? Same with bar stools. I would use them, but if you're sure you never would, why buy them? If you decide to get 2 anyway, choose a style that fits neatly under the island overhang - perhaps a "saddle" style? Wall art? Your wonderful windows are wall art! And... you have a lovely glass case for displaying art objects that you can change out on your whim. Golden oak furniture. I live in a house filled with golden oak furniture my parents accumulated during the 1980's. And golden oak kitchen cabinets they chose when they built a house in 1991. It wasn't until I started reading Gardenweb forums in 2010, I learned that golden oak was "out" and "orange-y". Up till then, I simply thought of all these pieces as "wood". And wood that went well with other (inherited) pieces in the house that date back to the 1920's- 1940's. Trendy or not - it works in MY house. If you truly dislike golden oak, why not sell it and buy what you would like used? Might be more cost effective than buying paint, or hiring someone to professionally paint your furniture. Especially if you might not be pleased with the finished results. Again, I suggest you ask yourself...what REALLY bugs you about your home?