bedroom furniture set #1: choosing the wood, an oak/maple contrast?

I would not mix oak and maple because maple is a very hard wood and oak is a softer wood also I don’t think it would look good I build one and I used all maple it came out real nice….also both wood dont take the varnish the same

-- <<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--

I won’t say don’t do it, but I would think the contrast isn’t enough to really “POP”. (I can’t believe I used that word like that) To me, those woods are just too similar in “color”, even if the oak is “Red”. If you want the woods to stand out, then I’d pick something darker, The Cherry even, to go with the Maple, as it’s mostly always harder than the Oak will ever be. At least in my (limited) experiences with Cherry.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

To me, personally I don’t like that combination. The Oak with its open pore and pronounced grain just doesn’t go with the tight grain and refined look of maple. There is just something about that combination that visually doesn’t apeal to me. But we all have different tastes and these types of thing are largely subjective. If unsure I would build a test piece of the frame and panel construction and I would follow the entire process through the finish schedule so that you can see what the combination will look like before you put all that effort into your project.

-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com

A lot of good comments here. I personally do not favor Oak because of the grain as bfd has mentioned. It’s a very pronounced, rustic grain and is excellent for floors and rustic furniture if you like that look. (I prefer a more modern, sleek look, although my floors are Oak as they are originial to my 1956 circa home.)

One way to satisfy your dilemma would be to make a small item out of these woods and see if you like the results. A picture frame made of one wood, then place the other wood behind it (like a floating panel door) to give you the idea of the finished project.

I love the figured maple so I’m leaning towards that as part of the project. Maple & Cherry, or Maple & Black Walnut are good tried and true combinations.

Let us know how your project comes along.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

While I agree that oak and maple don’t easily slap together, they’re far from incompatible.

I just built a tool cabinet with white oak (QS) case and door frames, with coopered maple panels. It’s gorgeous, and the frame and panel provides enough “separation” to mix the two divergent woods nicely. Once I get the shellac on it I will try to post some pictures as a reference. In the meanwhile here is a poor picture from earlier:

Also, you can often play games with (pre)finishing to either hide or accentuate grain differences, and reduce the contrast inherent in the oak. I am no expert on the topic though.

-b

thanks all for your comments

Ben, your tool cabinet looks very nice indeed, looking forward to see it finished. I might just give oak/maple a try by making a mockup like bfd and mmh suggested

-- Martin, Gatineau, Québec