This varnish im sure has a sealer under it,and if not it is still virtually impossible to stain things without removing the clear on it.Stain will not be able to reach the wood/wicker (Stain is just that Stain) now painting is a covering so it can be applied to most anything with the right prep.Im not to sure if a gel stain will work over a varnish or not,we use it for metal and fiberglass doors prior to clearing them.
Sorry to say but you must get as much of the varnish off before you can stain it.
If it just a clear stain you can put a different color on it but if it is a true varnish you need to get to the material you want to apply it to.
You might be able to sand enough of this older varnish off to get a color you want.

[This message has been edited by retisin (edited February 05, 2004).]

Thanks for the advice!

If I go with paint, should it be oil-based to go over the varnish? (I'll sand first, but it's hard to get in all the little holes in the wicker) Is there a spray that would work?

I also heard there is a product that combines stain and varnish together that is supposed to stick to anything. Would this work, and do you know if I could get it in Canada? (Montreal) If possible I would like a very dark brown colour. The box is in my living room, so I don't want it to be too opaque (which is why I was trying to avoid paint)

Thanks again!!

Amanda

Just lightly sand it,use a 120 grit.Prime with Zinser primer 123,then you will be good to go with any paint you want.
I havent heard of that product,also they make a can you can get that you add your paint in that sprays like a spraypaint.

I would spray both the primer and the finish as on wicker this looks much better than brushing.
You will want to prime it with a pigmented shellac such as Zinsser BIN which has great adhesion and stain blocking abilities. Then you can get one of thoes set ups were the aerosol canister is on top of a container so that you can then spray any color oil based paint you want, the two brands I am familiar with are PREVAL and Crown.
I am sorry to say that you are going to have to paint this piece as stain is not going to take over a varnished surface or if you did find a gel type stain that would take it will look like paint anyway.
Good luck on your project.

Thanks very much for all the help!