With different types of materials, I would go with MinWax Polyshades.

I have used it in a couple of projects and have been happy with it. You need to apply multiple coats until you have the look you want. If you stop after the first coat, it looks terrible.

They recently came out with a black color that I want to try, but haven't been able to find it in the stores.

Here is a link that might be useful: Polyshades

Momof5, show your husband the photos in the link below

Girlwithaspirin in the Kitchen forum painted her oak cabinets BM Bittersweet Chocolate. They look incredible! She even gives the step by step process how to achieve the look.

Jodi-

Here is a link that might be useful: Awesome oak cabinet redo

I took my pine tv cabinet from this:

to this:

I didn't want a solid, single color paint look, but something with more depth. The end result is just what I wanted, and was easy to do. The process is multi step but each step is easy and very forgiving, nothing needs to be perfect. You could do lots of different color combos - I'm planning some dining room pieces for this winter with a brown base and green on top.

For the whole process step by step, click on the before picture above or follow this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: TV Cabinet Re-do

Thanks for the responses! The entertainment center is 5 pieces and is over 11' long, so this will be a huge project. With the weather getting colder I need to start now if I want it finished in time to move it to the new house in Feb or March. I have an oak sofa table that I want to change too. I think I'll start with that and see how it turns out before attempting the enter. center.