Bring it home so she can see how great it looks in the original walnut finish. Explain how the original finish and patina not only make it beautiful, but also make it much more valuable. She will then relent on her demand to refinish it. Oh, if she still insists that you redo the finish in mahogany, assume a heartbroken expression (should be easy in this situation) and let a couple of big tears run down your cheeks.
She's gotta let you keep it original then!
