If you are in the States, probably the easiest thing is to go down to the home store and check out the Minwax line.
https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains-color-guide/
These are designed around small batch projects, and for ease of use as well.
If we presume decent White Oak sanded to somewhere in the 600 to 800 grit range, then you are probably wanting to use Golden Oak as a stain.
As a top coat you need a clear finish
https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/clear-protective-finishes/
(Wipe-on poly is probably your best friend for this--simple and easy.)
For furniture, full gloss is often used, but a semi-gloss is often better. The semi in the wipe-on is called "satin" in the minwax line.
Now, if you really want to get neck-deep in fine furniture/casework finish, that's some deep water. There's an entire ocean of lacquer finishes, and most of those take years to learn well. Some of the shellac finishes are similar.