Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - lightening a dark stained pine

I am redoing a kitchen and all of the windows frames and sills are a walnut or dark stain. We want to lighten it and are putting in light maple cabinets and flooring. I don't want to paint the beautiful wood frames, but need to lighten or remove the dark stain. Ids this possible and how would you do something like this?? Please Help, as this is a real quandry!

Jeff:confused:

Removing a stain from these items can be a real pain (no pun intended).

Kwik Paint and Varnish Remover is the only stripper I know of that removes at least part of the stain in wood. Sanding (always dificult on windows and trim) will remove MOST of the rest. Typical approaches such as bleaching are very difficult to use because of the potential for spillage on surrounding areas.

If the windows have removable sashes (tilt) You'll find that part easier. The frame and trim will be more difficult. I suppose I'm handier with tools than the average, but what I would do would be to remove as much of the trim as possible to work on somewhere else, leaving only what can't be taken down in place.

Thanks George, I thought that was going to be the result, but thought I would check with the pros first. Thanks again, and it's nice to have a place where we can get good advise!

Thank You!

Jeff:)