Hey everyone! I have a client interested in installing some butcher block in her kitchen. I showed her samples of stained maple, but she's not a fan of how red they look. On the other hand, she's worried that walnut might be too dark for her taste. She's curious if using a green-tinted white wash could help counteract the red tones in the wood, but I'm not certain about that. Should I suggest exploring other wood species? I feel like this is more of a decorative choice than for heavy-duty use, and I'm hesitant to recommend oak due to its porous nature. Any insights?
3 Answers
Have you thought about unstained maple? It naturally has a light color that might fit her style better. Also, beech could be a great alternative—it's lighter and less red than maple. Just a thought!
I’m a bit confused about the red hue you mentioned. Maple usually isn't associated with that unless you’re looking at red maple specifically. Which type are you using?
Honestly, I wouldn’t stain butcher block at all! Most traditional butcher blocks are made from hard maple and just finished with oil. The color typically ranges from pale yellow to amber, which can look really nice! Just use food-grade mineral oil or beeswax to maintain it.
Totally agree! Unstained wood usually has such a great look.
That makes sense! Keeping it natural sounds like a solid plan.