My wife has decided on a Greene and Greene style bed for the double bed in the guest bedroom. However, I would like to use a different type of wood that I haven’t used before. I have worked with Oak, Maple (hard and soft), Walnut, Cherry, Poplar, and of course Pine. I’m looking for some ideas of other types of wood that are not too dark in color and are moderately priced. If any of you have a suggestion I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Dean
-- Making sawdust is what I do best






















9 comments so far
teenagewoodworker
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2480 posts in 661 days
posted 566 days ago
Hickory, thats just my suggestion. I haven’t actually worked with it yet but i have a commision for a frame made out of hickory now and they wanted it modeled off of thier cabinets so i took a look and it is a beautiful wood. its very hard too as i’ve heard so it would be pretty stable. or you could try ebony ;)
tenontim
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1319 posts in 637 days
posted 566 days ago
The Greene and Greene furniture seems to look best with cherry, but you might consider pecan or hickory. They’re fairly nice to work with.
-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com
FlWoodRat
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582 posts in 802 days
posted 566 days ago
Why not mahogany?
-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....
Lee A. Jesberger
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3710 posts in 873 days
posted 566 days ago
Hi Dean;
With so many choices available it’s like asking what kind of car to buy.
Too many unknowns for us to be of much help with this one.
I’m sure whatever you end up with, it will be beautiful.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
teenagewoodworker
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2480 posts in 661 days
posted 566 days ago
i agree with Lee. if you get some nice wood really anything will look beautiful if.
Greg3G
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770 posts in 979 days
posted 566 days ago
a lot of Greene and Greene items were built using Mahogany with Ebony and/or Teak accents. This is a beautiful contrast. Here is a link that may help
http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/architecture/greeneandgreene/
-- Greg - Charles Town, WV
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 744 days
posted 566 days ago
Dean, I am making a bed for my grandaughter out of radiata pine, it will be painted, but could be oiled or lacqured. It is a good price down under and easy to work with.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Todd A. Clippinger
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5632 posts in 993 days
posted 566 days ago
My general rule of thumb is NO OAK.
The “wow” factor goes up dramatically if it is not done in oak. That is in reference to the standard red oak.
I have a tough time envisioning this in pine too, but I really don’t make anything in pine because it is too soft.
You have to think that this may also be a portfolio piece in your house and what do you want people to see when they look at it.
Hickory with black walnut accents would be pretty cool.
My experience with hickory is that it takes a long time for any sanding that you have to do because it is so hard.
Black walnut with maple or sycamore would be smokin’ hot. But I saw that you did not want anything dark.
Good luck with your decision. I look forward to the finished project.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
GaryK
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9521 posts in 881 days
posted 566 days ago
I vote for mahogany and ebony the same as Greg. Two of my favorite woods.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.