Again with the stairwell leading to my second floor apartment, the wainscot consists of hard pine that is finished with shellac. It is about 3" wide with beaded edge and is now dark and dreary. I have removed the shellac from a portion with alcohol and have sanded it to a point where it is quite nice with aggressive grain much more visible and bright even with dings from generations of traffic (gives it character). Does anyone have good ideas about what would make a nice finish that would not darken with time? No more stairwell questions, I promise.