Painting pine furniture

[The Deacones]

Our solid pine bedroom furniture has already been painted pale yellow (not by me) but I'm thinking about re-painting it an aged-looking dark brown.
What's the best thing to use - emulsion, eggshell, or maybe varnish? Or are there special paints out there for this kind of thing.
Also, would I have to get rid of the yellow to begin with? Thanks for any help.

[chairobyx16]

You dont say if the yellow is gloss, if so you should sand the surface to provide a key for the new paint, id use another gloss. One thing you might try is scrumbling. This is painting a dark wood colour and combing the new wet paint allowing existing yellow to show through as a woodgrain effect. Sure youll get better advice if pros. are reading though!