Replies

1. 
   Napie | Oct 13, 2008 07:38am | #1

   Walnut for all or it.  Or if not cherry for the panels and walnut for the frames. Just my opinion...

2. 
   ring | Oct 13, 2008 08:47am | #2

   If you don't have enough walnut for the whole thing, then use something completely contrasting for the panels, such as maple. The worst esthetic sin you can commit (in my opinion) is to combine with something similar but not identical.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

3. 
   heartwould | Oct 13, 2008 03:09pm | #3

   Black walnut?  Why not use it for the entire project?

4. 
   Ckenney | Oct 13, 2008 03:44pm | #4

   I agree that either walnut for all, or a contrasting light wood. It all depends on your style preferences; what other furniture is there.

   Also, be warned that cherry is not a good pairing with walnut. It starts out contrasting, but as it ages and darkens, and walnut ages and lightens, you end up with a "not quite" matching color.

1. 
   Napie | Oct 13, 2008 05:37pm | #5

   Beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder but I have a few pieces built from that combination and I find them striking. There are no rules for this.  The contrast is not loud but mellow and subdued and improves with age.  To each his own as they say. <!----><!----><!---->

    

1. 
   Samson | Oct 14, 2008 05:16pm | #7

   I'm with you, Napie.  I think hard and fast rules are problematic in woodworking.  Each stick can be different enough and each situation different enough that it is important to stay open to the possibilities.  I'm building a cherry cabinet now that has walnut legs.  The Walnut is mostly sapwood, and as such is an interesting deep blonde color next to the pink and orange tone cherry.  Works for me.

1. 
   Napie | Oct 15, 2008 12:23am | #8

   Yeah, personally I think woods that contrast a lot, i.e., walnut/maple are pretty garish but that is just my opinion.  I like liver and onions too so what do I know???<!----><!----><!---->

5. 
   forestgirl | Oct 14, 2008 08:25am | #6

   My favorite with walnut is maple.  Can't count the number of really beautiful pieces I've seen in this combo, from boxes to display cabinets.  Maple for the panel, walnut for the frame members.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)