Lighten varnish

[alfonce]

Hi there.
I have recently varnished a worktop using Walnut.
The finish is not desirable as it has gone more of a Mahogany / Chestnut dark red.
I have stained all the other woodwork in the same room wiaht a walnut stain and that is the perfect brown that I wanted.
So sanding back down is not an option as it will make so much mess and probaby bever rub up properly.
So question is can I realistically do anything to lighten the varnish up and then re apply another colour?

Thanks,

Alex.

 

[big-all]

use a proprietary stripper and start lighter as you can darken but not lighten
if its pine it will over the next year or so turn to an antique pine colour so keep this in mind when applying the layers

 

[foxhole]

Use a wood dye , more reliable colour finish than coloured varnish.

 

[alfonce]

So the upshot is I strip and start again?
Ta,
Alex.