Contrasting Wood?

[Gary in Texas]

I'm getting ready to build a few more boxes, and bought this leopard wood a while back (can you say fancy lacewood???), and will use this wood for the sides of at least one box.  In most of my box designs, I will use a contrasting or complimentary wood for the box top. 

These are very large boxes, or cases.  Typically 6+ inches tall, 12-16 inches wide.  I've attached a few examples.  One has a bubinga top with cherry sides, the other has zebra wood top with walnut sides....

Just looking for some suggestions on what you guys would consider a good wood to use for the top that would look good with the leopard wood sides.....  Any ideas?

Thanks,

Gary

 

[Iceclimber]

That Walnut box is a beauty!

So is the Lacewood

I'll give your original question some thought. My initial thought is something that does not detract from it.

Maybe ebony? The real stuff. Expensive yes but who cares you build these for enjoyment and satisfaction right!

Maybe make the inside of the lid the lacewood again and the base at least inside ebony as to add so e interest and continuity. Then stain the lacewood something on the darker side so the pice flows together but accentuates both wood species without one taking center stage?

 

[Iceclimber]

Bamboo could also be cool of you could figure out a way to use it with the lacwood.

Jealous i want those boards.

Crazy i get addicted to figured hardwoods as much as i do tools and building stuff.

 

[mike_aa]

Those are beautiful boards!  It's almost a shame to only relegate them to the sides of the box.  First thing that came to my mind was something lighter with an even subtle grain so as not to fight for attention.  But after seeing Iceclimber's post, I do agree with his suggestion to use something dark like ebony.  The other option is to use something like Zebrawood which, with a very straight grain, might contrast well with the lacewood.

Mike A.

 

[Gary in Texas]

Thanks guys.....

I've already glued up one top out of zebra wood.  Looking at both woods together, I think it might be a little too busy.  Either wood would probably benefit from a solid or non patterned wood type.  Might look to see what maple would look like with these, or go the darker route as suggested by Ice.

Gary 

 

[Iceclimber]

Maybe just ash or something.

Check out the link bellow.

Maybe Eucalyptus?

Pick a straight grain piece so it wont take Way form the lacewood. Its also a light wood so you can stain it however you want. Its history and medicinal quality brings another element to the mix/project. Granted most will never get it but who cares..

http://www.touchwoodrings.com/qualitiesofwood.html

Thanks guys.....

I've already glued up one top out of zebra wood.  Looking at both woods together, I think it might be a little too busy.  Either wood would probably benefit from a solid or non patterned wood type.  Might look to see what maple would look like with these, or go the darker route as suggested by Ice.

Gary

 

[Tinker]

Your pictured boxes feature figured pieces for the tops surrounded by sides that are quite contrasting and more of a regular grain.  I think that is a good way to go.  It is a good way to frame the more exotic features you have chosen for the tops.  Why change a great system of design.  IMHO, I don't think the lacewood makes a good border (sides).  It offers too weak a feature.

actually, if i had enough of the lacewood (and it appears that you do have), i would make a box using it for the sides and a box using for the top.  I have done things like that and am quite often very surprised.

BTW: Those boxes are beautiful.  I like the way you did the printing.  It is prominent enough to show the purpose, but does not distract from the beauty of the wood. Really great.
Tinker

 

[Oldwood]

Have you considered burl. I like walnut for the contrast. The display cabinet attached has walnut burl glued to a bent laminated piece for the drawer front and center band.
No contrast in color on this one but the burl still stands out.

 

[pugilato]

A light-colored wood for good contrast, as the lacewood is dark already. Maple, perhaps, with little figure.

 

[Iceclimber]

I agree with Tinker. I thought the same but it seemed you wanted contrast.

Maybe do the outside the lacewood and the interior another. That could be very nice.

Do some nice joinery to bring interest or maybe hide all the joints and try and match the grain so it looks seamless. You could try and carve the whole thing or at least the lid and make a shape with it you would not otherwise get from flat stock. Glue up maybe enough pieces to make a 8/4 board for the top then start hollowing it out?

Your pictured boxes feature figured pieces for the tops surrounded by sides that are quite contrasting and more of a regular grain.  I think that is a good way to go.  It is a good way to frame the more exotic features you have chosen for the tops.  Why change a great system of design.  IMHO, I don't think the lacewood makes a good border (sides).  It offers too weak a feature.

actually, if i had enough of the lacewood (and it appears that you do have), i would make a box using it for the sides and a box using for the top.  I have done things like that and am quite often very surprised.

BTW: Those boxes are beautiful.  I like the way you did the printing.  It is prominent enough to show the purpose, but does not distract from the beauty of the wood. Really great.
Tinker

 

[roblg3]

How about flamed birch??

 

[Gary in Texas]

Have you considered burl. I like walnut for the contrast. The display cabinet attached has walnut burl glued to a bent laminated piece for the drawer front and center band.
No contrast in color on this one but the burl still stands out.

Oldwood,

I haven't considered burl.  I will need to add that to the mix on the next round.  Thank you.

Very nice display cabinet!!!

 

[Gary in Texas]

I agree with Tinker. I thought the same but it seemed you wanted contrast.

Maybe do the outside the lacewood and the interior another. That could be very nice.

Do some nice joinery to bring interest or maybe hide all the joints and try and match the grain so it looks seamless. You could try and carve the whole thing or at least the lid and make a shape with it you would not otherwise get from flat stock. Glue up maybe enough pieces to make a 8/4 board for the top then start hollowing it out.

Ice,

Thank you for the contributions.  I did say either contrast or complimentary woods.  I've typically gone with the figured top panel, either padauk, zebra wood, Bubinga, and lace wood, and at times even some nice figured walnut.  The case sides have typically been either walnut or cherry, whichever looks best with the top.

As far as the inside goes, well, that's a little complicated....  See the attached.

Thanks again,

Gary

 

[Gary in Texas]

Your pictured boxes feature figured pieces for the tops surrounded by sides that are quite contrasting and more of a regular grain.  I think that is a good way to go.  It is a good way to frame the more exotic features you have chosen for the tops.  Why change a great system of design.  IMHO, I don't think the lacewood makes a good border (sides).  It offers too weak a feature.

actually, if i had enough of the lacewood (and it appears that you do have), i would make a box using it for the sides and a box using for the top.  I have done things like that and am quite often very surprised.

BTW: Those boxes are beautiful.  I like the way you did the printing.  It is prominent enough to show the purpose, but does not distract from the beauty of the wood. Really great.
Tinker

Tinker, thank you.

I agree, having the figured wood as the top or top panel is the way I've gone in the past.  I have enough of the leopard wood (or lace wood) to make several cases, and was trying to determine what would look good if I did the leopard wood sides.  I think it might be too busy, as you mentioned, to use on the sides.  I can get better results using this for the tops.

By the way, the printing was laser engraved, found a local shop that does it quite cheap!!!  Thanks again for the compliments...

Gary

 

[Gary in Texas]

A light-colored wood for good contrast, as the lacewood is dark already. Maple, perhaps, with little figure.

Pug, thanks, I agree and have already gone to my wood pile to source a good board to check it out. 

Gary

 

[Gary in Texas]

How about flamed birch??

Rob, thanks, another excellent consideration....

Gary