Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Wood suggestions for a kitchen table
Ken Krawford
>We recently did a complete kitchen makeover. The new cabinets are cherry with a medium (not real dark) finish. SWMBO doesn't like the cherry table I made several years ago (too much cherry now) and wants something different.
She has vetoed pine and I have vetoed Alder. Does anyone have a suggestion for a wood that would compliment the new cabinets?
Thanks for help.
Re: Wood suggestions for a kitchen table
Kneale Brownson in Northern MI
>Consider Birch.
Re: Wood suggestions for a kitchen table
Clint Searl, at the base of Haycock Mtn
>Take her to your local wood store, and let her decide.
Clint
Re: Wood suggestions for a kitchen table
Jason Roehl in Mulberry, IN
>I vote ash. Economical, relatively lightweight and very durable. The grain and coloring will also contrast with and complement the darker cherry cabinets.
This opinion is worth what you paid for it.
Jason
Nice kitchen, Ken
Ellis Walentine
>To me the choice of woods to complement existing furniture or built-ins is governed by the totality of the room setting. Contrasts are not intrinsically bad, so an open-pore or light-colored wood like ash, as Jason suggested, could be okay. I draw the line along the red-brown continuum. I don't personally care for red-hued woods alongside brown-hued woods. (Ash is on the brown spectrum. Cherry is generally along the red, though with stain it can appear quite brown.)
On a more absolute note, I prefer darker hues for dining tables, probably because they are more formal. If this table is in a breakfast nook adjacent to the kitchen, I'd say that light would be alright. If it is likely to be more of a dining table, go for a darker wood that contrasts subtly with your cabinetry.
Subjective advice is just that. Try finishing some actual samples and discuss it with your wife.
Ellis Walentine, Host
walnut
bill tindall, E. TN.
>I have found that walnut goes with cherry nicely.
Re: Wood suggestions for a kitchen table
Theresa K
>What about Maple or some other type of lighter color wood WITH Cherry accents of some sort?
Red Birch
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey
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Re: Wood suggestions for a kitchen table
Robert R Clough - Thorncraft
>I agree with Theresa. Maple, carefully done, contrasts nicely with Cherry. Another wood, very, very carefully done, is Mahogony - but keep the redness under control.
Agree
George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA
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Hickory.......and Wallynut
Scott in Eastern Iowa
>......now if Mr. Smith would post a pic of that way cool table he built a coupla yrs ago my post would be complete.
Scott
I'll second Walnut
G Elore
>Cherry and walnut compliment each other very well.
Re: Ya mean This'n?
Grant Smith(remove 1 for email)
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Oh, that's Nice! I Grant You That.
George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA
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Re: Wood suggestions for a kitchen table
Jesse in New Mexico
>Google 'kitchen table' and find a couple of dozen pics, let her look at them and tell you what she likes and doesn't like - at least that's what I did.
I'm making a table out of walnut, but I've got a dozen of so pieces of scrap experimenting with light/dark, contrast between heartwood and sapwood - or the lack of it, redness, etc. I'll let her pick which she likes best.
That'd be it........
Scott in Eastern Iowa
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