It turned out kind of nice, and it toned down the fireplace brick.If I were you I might get some general finishes java gel stain and stain the bookcases and mantel dark...unless the kitchen is same woodtone, then no....unless you do the kitchen too.

Or buy the Avian gel like the other poster recommended.

In my house when the walls are sprayed with ammonia the brown tar and nicotine run down the wall.  

I found a guy who used a gel/paste and roaches were gone in a matter of days.Don't let insects run you away from a property.

We'll most likely invest in some of those gel poisons to kill them off. 

I'll go back Thursday and put out gel around plumping entry points and light off 3 more.

Will also cover the nicotine stains.  

@Paige Roberts go to Amazon and search Advion roach gel. this stuff is amazing and inexpensive. follow the directions and next day you will see results.

In my experience, the only thing that truly works over nicotine staining and smoke smell is a true Shellac primer.   

Just saying its a bigger world than presenting a hard and fast rule implies.Jonathan and Caleb, the phrase: "equity in properties can be "leveraged" in other ways than debt" doesn't gel with me.