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The Wood Collection
We work primarily with carefully selected furniture-grade hardwoods chosen for their beauty, character, durability, and ability to become heirloom-quality furniture.
Below, you’ll find a selection of the primary wood species commonly used in fine furniture making. While this is not an exhaustive list, it offers an introduction to some of the exceptional woods we work with and the qualities that make each one special.
Reference Guide
Walnut: Best for rich, sophisticated look
Cheery: Best for warm, traditional, heirloom furniture
Maple: Best for strength and clean, light appearance
White Oak: Best for durability and prominent traditional grain
Ash: Best for strength with a lighter, bold-grain appearance
Pine: Best for rustic, farmhouse, and casual designs
Walnut
Appearance: Rich brown to deep chocolate with flowing grain
Durability: High
Cost: $$$
Best Uses: Fine furniture, desks, tables, cabinets, heirloom pieces
Known For: Rich color, elegant grain, premium appearance
Walnut is one of the most sought-after hardwoods for fine furniture, valued for its rich color, beautiful grain, and ability to develop an even deeper, warmer appearance over time. Its natural range of chocolate brown, coffee, and warm caramel tones gives each piece a character all its own, while occasional lighter sapwood can provide striking contrast and visual interest.​
Rich in color. Timeless in character. Naturally distinctive.
White Oak
Appearance: Light cream to warm brown with prominent grain
Durability: Very High
Cost: $$$
Best Uses: Tables, cabinets, Arts & Crafts furniture, heirloom pieces
Known For: Strength, durability, distinctive grain and fleck
White oak is a classic American hardwood known for its strength, durability, and unmistakable grain character. Its warm, natural appearance and exceptional longevity have made it a favorite material for fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and traditional woodworking for generations. Whether presented with a natural finish or highlighted through quarter-sawn grain, white oak brings a substantial, enduring character to handcrafted furniture.
Strong by nature. Distinctive by character. Timeless by design.
Cherry
Appearance: Warm pinkish-brown that deepens with age
Durability: High
Cost: $$$
Best Uses: Traditional furniture, Shaker pieces, tables, cabinetry
Known For: Warm color, smooth grain, beautiful aging
Cherry is a classic American hardwood prized for its warm color, smooth texture, and graceful grain. It has been a favorite material for fine furniture and cabinetry for generations, and its ability to naturally darken and develop a richer, deeper color over time makes it particularly well suited for heirloom pieces.
Warm in character. Timeless in design. Beautiful with age.
Ash
Appearance: Light cream to tan with bold, open grain
Durability: Very High
Cost: $$
Best Uses: Tables, benches, cabinets, contemp-orary & traditional furniture
Known For: Strength, resilience, pronounced grain
Ash is a strong, durable American hardwood recognized for its light natural color, distinctive grain, and excellent workability. Its combination of strength and relatively light appearance has made it a longstanding favorite for furniture, cabinetry, tool handles, and other applications where durability matters. Ash has a straightforward, honest character that works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary designs.
Strong by nature. Bold in grain. Beautiful in simplicity.
Maple
Appearance: Light cream to pale tan with fine, clean grain
Durability: Very High
Cost: $$
Best Uses: Tables, cabinets, work surfaces, everyday furniture
Known For: Hardness, strength, clean appearance
Maple is a strong, durable American hardwood valued for its light color, fine texture, and clean, refined appearance. Its combination of strength and versatility has made it a trusted choice for furniture, cabinetry, work surfaces, and other pieces designed for years of use. While often associated with a simple, contemporary appearance, maple can also display beautiful natural figure and subtle character that make each piece unique.
Clean in appearance. Strong in character. Built for everyday life.
Pine
Appearance: Light cream to honey with visible knots
Durability: Moderate
Cost: $
Best Uses: Farmhouse furniture, shelving, rustic pieces, painted furniture
Known For: Warmth, knots, rustic character, affordability
Pine is a versatile softwood known for its warm color, distinctive knots, and natural character. Its approachable appearance has made it a longtime favorite for country, farmhouse, rustic, and traditional furniture. Unlike more uniform hardwoods, pine often displays visible knots, grain variation, and natural markings that give each piece a relaxed, authentic character.
Warm in character. Natural in appearance. Full of rustic charm.
Cost is a general relative comparison and can vary based on lumber availability, grade, thickness, figure, and current market pricing. Final furniture pricing also reflects the design, amount of material, joinery, labor, and finish required.