NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm putting a maple hardwood floor in most of the first floor of my house. Some future plans include built-ins like book cases and cupboards. What's a nice complementary wood to maple? Mahogany is my first choice for the built-ins, but I don't want to use it in the kitchen. That's right, I'm planning on building the kitchen cabinets, too.

Any suggestions?

Almost all available mahogany comes from illegal logging. Just a thought.

Almost all available mahogany comes from illegal logging. Just a thought.

How do you find the minority percentage that comes from legal logging?

I'd suggest cherry wood. It's got a lovely warm, red shine to it and you can avoid the illegal logging altogether.
It's very durable, too.

How do you find the minority percentage that comes from legal logging?

Frankly, I've no idea. As the forestry service or Save the Rainforest, maybe. Garuanteed non illegal mahogany would be reclaimed (well, its already a wardrobe so it doesn't matter), although this would probably be of little use. The rest of it, its probably hard if not impossible to tell, given the lack of regulation in the source countries. Having thought about it, I've never heard of mahogany in any other context than antiques or illegal logging. I said almost all, cos I wasn't sure if there were any reputable supplies

I'd suggest cherry wood. It's got a lovely warm, red shine to it and you can avoid the illegal logging altogether.
It's very durable, too.

I like cherry. It makes wonderful furniture. That's a good suggestion.

I like cherry. It makes wonderful furniture. That's a good suggestion.

Glad I could help.
We used to have cherry wood floors at home, they were lovely. :)

Glad I could help.
We used to have cherry wood floors at home, they were lovely. :)

I appreciate it.

advice on interior design isnt really possible online because we cant see your house. we dont know where it is, what the lighting is like, what style the house is, etc.

given that, i have 2 pieces of advice

1) if you arent big on design but dont want to pay a professional (and who does?) keep it simple. consider what wood furniture you own (or will own). if you choose cherry, for example, you need a cherry dining table, cherry kitchen cabinets (if the kitchen is open to the rest of the downstairs) cherry end tables, etc, as well as cherry bookshelves and window seats. only a true expert can combine 3 or more woods and have them not look like a mess.

if you already own an antique oak dining set that you would never consider getting rid of, do the built ins and kitchen cabinets in oak.

2) if you have a friend who has good taste, bring that person in on the decision. there is a magic that a person with good taste (PGT) has that we normal mortals dont have. this PGT doesnt have to be a professional--good taste cant be taught. (well it can but it will only be a pale imitation of true PGT) the PGT can put together any number of disparate woods, textures, wallpapers, mouldings, area rugs, and furniture and turn it into a beautiful cohesive design.

i think a friend PGT is better than a professional because they arent working on commission and have no need to make a statement that will impress future clients. they also have a stake in pleasing you without worrying that your quirks will reflect on their professional image.

There are few things as suave as a library with massive floor to ceiling mahogany book shelves. Personal dream of mine. You can achieve this look from cherry with a mahogany finish, I might add.

Barring that some of the more popular woods to build kitchen cabinets from around here are birch, maple, pine, and oak. Really it just comes down to the overarching styles in your home, the colours you have chosen, and even your intent.

A country cottage type home would do really well with nicely varnished or stained maple, whereas something older and carrying a distinguished upper class look may go for mahogany. It just depends on what you want to do aesthetically with your living space.

I used to build cabinets for a few years - just do not get presswood (not even MDF) garbage! Please!

There are few things as suave as a library with massive floor to ceiling mahogany book shelves. Personal dream of mine. You can achieve this look from cherry with a mahogany finish, I might add.

Barring that some of the more popular woods to build kitchen cabinets from around here are birch, maple, pine, and oak. Really it just comes down to the overarching styles in your home, the colours you have chosen, and even your intent.

A country cottage type home would do really well with nicely varnished or stained maple, whereas something older and carrying a distinguished upper class look may go for mahogany. It just depends on what you want to do aesthetically with your living space.

I used to build cabinets for a few years - just do not get presswood (not even MDF) garbage! Please!

Thanks. I built the cabinets for our last house and I've never used that awful MDF. Well, I did use the melamine coated type for a router table, but that was different.

I'm going to buy a few different woods and try some different stains. We're still very early in the decorating phase, so even changing out the maple floor is open for discussion. It would have to be very persuasive, though. That's why I'm trying to find nice complements to it.

I appreciate the suggestions, keep 'em coming.

Thanks. I built the cabinets for our last house and I've never used that awful MDF. Well, I did use the melamine coated type for a router table, but that was different.

I'm going to buy a few different woods and try some different stains. We're still very early in the decorating phase, so even changing out the maple floor is open for discussion. It would have to be very persuasive, though. That's why I'm trying to find nice complements to it.

I appreciate the suggestions, keep 'em coming.

Ok, perhaps I was being a bit unfair to MDF. I built an apartment in my basement to rent to students (campus is quite close by) and I built a very nice set of kitchen cupboards out of melanine finished MDF. Coupled with a slightly textured and nicely coloured/.patterned counter it actually looks quite nice. It has a simple and clean look, and compared to how worried I was about its outcome was very happy with the final result.

I too have maple hardwood floors - and strategically placed Bird's Eye maple too. Mind you it is illegal here.. ahem. With maple floors I would actually shy away from maple cabinets unless you intend to finish them slightly differently than the floor. Too much sameness would drown out almost any decor in a room.

At the same time, I would be hesitant to put up mahogany with something so bright for a floor. I find a good pine goes nicely with the maple, giving it enough contrast to easily differentiate and also having lighter on top of darker (I find) looks aesthetically pleasing. I guess it also looks nice and fresh too.

At any rate, don't take my advice too strongly. I am entirely unsure of what would look best in your home since I have no clue what your home looks like and what you want to do with it.

So you're putting in a Maple Hardwood floor and want to know what you should build your casework out of so it will go with the floor?

Here's a crazy thought, how about Maple! Use a curly or birdseye Maple or vary the finish for a little contrast if you want but make your casework out of maple also.

Ok, perhaps I was being a bit unfair to MDF. I built an apartment in my basement to rent to students (campus is quite close by) and I built a very nice set of kitchen cupboards out of melanine finished MDF. Coupled with a slightly textured and nicely coloured/.patterned counter it actually looks quite nice. It has a simple and clean look, and compared to how worried I was about its outcome was very happy with the final result.

I too have maple hardwood floors - and strategically placed Bird's Eye maple too. Mind you it is illegal here.. ahem. With maple floors I would actually shy away from maple cabinets unless you intend to finish them slightly differently than the floor. Too much sameness would drown out almost any decor in a room.

At the same time, I would be hesitant to put up mahogany with something so bright for a floor. I find a good pine goes nicely with the maple, giving it enough contrast to easily differentiate and also having lighter on top of darker (I find) looks aesthetically pleasing. I guess it also looks nice and fresh too.

At any rate, don't take my advice too strongly. I am entirely unsure of what would look best in your home since I have no clue what your home looks like and what you want to do with it.
Actually, the maple is going to be stained a little darker than natural, but you might be right about the sharp contrast between a mahogany-like finish and the maple.

I always take free advice in the spirit it's given. I might save the high contrast for the furniture and make the built-ins a little less prominent. Whatever I do, it won't be without a few samples of wood and stain.