Choosing Your ColorMany clients ask, “Christophe, what is the right stain color? Should a piece be

blond, ebony, or simply chestnut?” The answer is, there are no hard-and-fast rules

about right or wrong; the right color is the one you like. Start by sampling. Try

stains on wood scraps to see how they react, the color you get, how it applies and

dries, and how the finish you plan to apply on top turns out. A few stains and a

few woods can create a huge palette of hues with which to work. Here, we applied

seven colors to an oak tabletop. See the variety?

SPECIES CHARACTERISTICS BEST STAIN ADVICE

beech Nicely figured wood Oil or water Avoid dark stains

birch Does not take stain well; gets blotchy Oil Consider sealing lightly

before staining

cherry Does not take stain well; gets blotchy Light stains

Consider sunlight, which darkens the wood naturally, or sealing

lightly before staining

chestnut Polishes well, so do not oversand Any Avoid staining too dark (already

has a lovely deep brown hue)

ebony Very hard wood No stain needed Sand to a very fine grit to get the best finished aspect

mahogany Open grain; avoid water-based stain Oil or alcohol A light-brown stain will tame

its orange-y cast

maple Does not take stain well; gets blotchy when dark Light stains Consider sealing lightly

before staining

oakVery open pores and

deep grain; versatile for special effects and aging

Oil or alcohol Stain thoroughly or the pores will stay light

poplar Stains unevenly; absorbs a lot Oil or alcohol

Repeated stain coats can make it look

like a different species

pine Soft. Stains unevenly; absorbs a lot Oil or alcohol

Repeated stain coats can make it look

like a different species

teak vOily wood Oil or alcohol Do not stain (only treat with teak oil or wax)

128 THE FURNITURE BIBLE