Hey everyone! I'm working on building a coffee table and I'm considering using cherry wood for the top. I'm thinking about contrasting it with a different type of wood for the base. Right now, I'm leaning towards using eastern hard maple, but I'm open to any other suggestions you might have. Has anyone tried this combo or have ideas for other woods that work well with cherry?
3 Answers
I think a cherry top with a maple base can look really nice. Just keep in mind that cherry and maple can have similar tones when freshly cut. If you use a bit of UV exposure on the cherry after milling, it can darken nicely and give more contrast. I've also seen some beautiful combinations with walnut and maple, if you want to consider other options!
Using an oil-based finish can help to warm up the cherry and contrast nicely with the neutral color of the maple. If you're looking for a lighter option, spalted hackberry can be beautiful, just be careful with it while cutting. Ultimately, I've found that maple can be a bit bland unless it has interesting grain, so explore your options!
Cherry is a lovely medium tone and pairs well with both light and dark woods. While maple can work, if you're after more contrast, I personally love the look of walnut with cherry. That darker accent really makes a statement! Also, cherry looks fantastic on its own, so you might not need much more than that.