Bullseye primer. It is made specifically for this type of application. I just repainted the most hideous laminate dresser and the Bullseye Primer worked like a dream -- the laminate was a super dark brown, but after one coat of the primer I was able to paint the white on and get great coverage. It's not rustic at all.

thinking is what I planted last year (I really should have written it down), but it doesn't quite match the pictures I've come up with on google.

every color I've put up against it. I painted my entire main floor this color and it's neutral without being blah.

hand-rub poly, and it just took me a couple of hours but made such a huge difference in the look and durability.