Stain/Paint/Furniture advice

On 12/23/2015 9:12 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>
> Looking for advice. I have a distressed black entertainment center in
> my living room. I neither love it nor hate it. I am needing new
> furniture and contemplating making my own end tables and a coffee
> table and possibly a new entertainment center. (I only do woodworking
> as a hobby btw).
>
> My floors are hardwood oak, with a sort of reddish tint. (I think it
> may be called butterscotch).
>
> My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a
> reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain
> to contrast the floor?

I would advise making it the way your gut tells you to make it. As for
color, trying to match and miss looks like you tried to match and
missed. Better to not try to match IMHO.
Either way, buy several different color stains in pints and test sample
several pieces with your floors or what ever you want them to go with.



>
> Or should I keep the entertainment center and paint my coffee
> table/end tables black? (Again to contrast the floor).
>
> More than likely, I would use red oak as I have a lot of it and I can
> get it at my local Lowes. (I know if I paint it I have to fill in the
> pores).

Well, you don't have to fill the pores in, I never have. You will still
see the grain. I used a flat milk paint and varnished over the paint.
If you don't want to see grain, the problem with painting Oak is that
you are wasting good wood and spinning your wheels to turn it into a
cheaper wood. I would advise poplar for painting.


>
> Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you
> use plywood to simplify everything?

With plywood panels. Not only to simplify but it is smarter to help
combat wood movement and save a lot of money.



>
> I appreciate any advice. I have attached links to some pictures. I
> hope they work.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> http://pinterest.com/pin/48140408764239532/?s=3&m=smemo
>
>
> http://pinterest.com/pin/498140408764239536/?s=3&m=smemo
>

On 12/23/2015 9:12 AM, [email protected] wrote:
> More than likely, I would use red oak as I have a lot of it and I can get it at my local Lowes. (I know if I paint it I have to fill in the pores).

Red oak is ubiquitous, reasonably priced in most places, and quite
easily stainable and/or painted just about any color you desire.

Poplar is a little easier to find, cheaper, and is quite common for
painted projects, But, while it can be stained, it is a bit more
trouble/takes a bit more skill to get a satisfactory results when
staining poplar ... particularly if the boards you chose have lots of
heartwood.

> Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you use plywood to simplify everything?

Make your chair and table parts out of "real" wood. (plywood is
considered "real" wood by most retailers). For a table top you could use
plywood, but wood generally wears better, although most table tops you
see in furniture stores are usually "ply's" of some sort.

Due to the wider panels in an entertainment center, you would be much
better using a cabinet grade plywood for your panels, that matches
whatever hardwood you use, due to the dimensional instability of "real"
wood.

You can use the hardwood of your choice for the face frames and trim on
the entertainment center, but try to use plywood for the casework,
particularly at your admitted skill level.

--
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KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

On 12/24/2015 1:36 AM, OFWW wrote:
> On Wed, 23 Dec 2015 13:58:59 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
> wrote:
>
>> On 12/23/2015 9:12 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>>
>>> Looking for advice. I have a distressed black entertainment center in
>>> my living room. I neither love it nor hate it. I am needing new
>>> furniture and contemplating making my own end tables and a coffee
>>> table and possibly a new entertainment center. (I only do woodworking
>>> as a hobby btw).
>>>
>>> My floors are hardwood oak, with a sort of reddish tint. (I think it
>>> may be called butterscotch).
>>>
>>> My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a
>>> reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain
>>> to contrast the floor?
>>
>> I would advise making it the way your gut tells you to make it. As for
>> color, trying to match and miss looks like you tried to match and
>> missed. Better to not try to match IMHO.
>> Either way, buy several different color stains in pints and test sample
>> several pieces with your floors or what ever you want them to go with.
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Or should I keep the entertainment center and paint my coffee
>>> table/end tables black? (Again to contrast the floor).
>>>
>>> More than likely, I would use red oak as I have a lot of it and I can
>>> get it at my local Lowes. (I know if I paint it I have to fill in the
>>> pores).
>>
>> Well, you don't have to fill the pores in, I never have. You will still
>> see the grain. I used a flat milk paint and varnished over the paint.
>> If you don't want to see grain, the problem with painting Oak is that
>> you are wasting good wood and spinning your wheels to turn it into a
>> cheaper wood. I would advise poplar for painting.
>>
>
> Isn't poplar soft, as hardwoods go? My wife wants white in the
> kitchen, so for me it is plywood, unfinished and ? for the FF.

Yes poplar is relatively soft. You could opt for a little harder with
soft maple or a lot harder with hard maple and or birch.

All three of those are closed grain and easier to hide the grain if you
don't want to see the grain.

You could use birch paint grade plywood for the panels and in some cases
maple plywood is substituted.

Or you could paint cherry. ;~) Just kidding.


The FF typically will not get the dings as much as the doors and
drawers. I would upgrade on the doors and drawers for sure if you are
concerned about dings.



>
>>
>>>
>>> Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you
>>> use plywood to simplify everything?
>>
>> With plywood panels. Not only to simplify but it is smarter to help
>> combat wood movement and save a lot of money.
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> I appreciate any advice. I have attached links to some pictures. I
>>> hope they work.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>> http://pinterest.com/pin/48140408764239532/?s=3&m=smemo
>>>
>>>
>>> http://pinterest.com/pin/498140408764239536/?s=3&m=smemo
>>>
>>
>>

[email protected] wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a
> reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain
> to contrast the floor?
>
> Or should I keep the entertainment center and paint my coffee
> table/end tables black? (Again to contrast the floor).

I'm not good with colors, so no opinion there...

> Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you
> use plywood to simplify everything?

Depends on the size of what you're making. For end tables
and a coffee table, I'd use solid wood. For an entertainment
center, I'd make the big pieces out of plywood.

Note that even tho a coffee table top is a fairly "big
piece" I wouldn't use ply for that, because it's a surface
that will get a lot of use, and you may want to sand and
refinish it at some point. Plywood, to all intents and
purposes, cannot be sanded. An entertainment center, once
you have the TV situated, gets little wear, so no risk in
using plywood there.

Note also that the grain pattern on Oak plywood can be
extreme. Some people like that look, some don't.

John

On 12/23/2015 10:12 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>
> Looking for advice. I have a distressed black entertainment center in my living room.

Sammy Davis Jr. is visiting? Should be a fun evening.


I neither love it nor hate it. I am needing new furniture and
contemplating making my own end tables and a coffee table and possibly a
new entertainment center. (I only do woodworking as a hobby btw).
>
> My floors are hardwood oak, with a sort of reddish tint. (I think it may be called butterscotch).
>
> My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain to contrast the floor?
>
> Or should I keep the entertainment center and paint my coffee table/end tables black? (Again to contrast the floor).
>
> More than likely, I would use red oak as I have a lot of it and I can get it at my local Lowes. (I know if I paint it I have to fill in the pores).
>
> Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you use plywood to simplify everything?
>
> I appreciate any advice. I have attached links to some pictures. I hope they work.

Lots of options. If you are going to paint the furniture, go for pine
boards, plywood, poplar, other inexpensive woods.

If you want really nice furniture, real wood with clear finishes is the
way to go. Stain can enhance the appearance but try it on scrap to be
sure it is what you want.

Personally, I'd make it out of the wood I like and not worry about the
floor. IMO, wood with wood looks good no matter the type.

I'd also look for other sources for my wood aside from the big box
store. Better selection, better prices in most cases.

[email protected] wrote:
> Looking for advice. I have a distressed black entertainment center in
> my living room. I neither love it nor hate it. I am needing new
> furniture and contemplating making my own end tables and a coffee
> table and possibly a new entertainment center. (I only do woodworking
> as a hobby btw).
>
> My floors are hardwood oak, with a sort of reddish tint. (I think it
> may be called butterscotch).
>
> My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a
> reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain
> to contrast the floor?
>
> Or should I keep the entertainment center and paint my coffee
> table/end tables black? (Again to contrast the floor).
>
> More than likely, I would use red oak as I have a lot of it and I can
> get it at my local Lowes. (I know if I paint it I have to fill in the
> pores).
>
> Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you
> use plywood to simplify everything?
>
> I appreciate any advice. I have attached links to some pictures. I
> hope they work.

WARNING: personal opinions follow.

As to ply vs lumber, ply has its place but whenever possible I use lumber.
One problem with ply is the necessity to band the edges. Well, it isn't
actually a necessity as long as you don't mind looking at butt ugly plywood
edges :)

You don't necessarily have to fill the pores in oak, depends upon the look
you want. However, with red oak,you do need to seal any end grain (in red
oak, not white) as it is vey porous and will suck up paint like a sponge.

Color is quite personal but I would not try to match the floor. I'm not
sure I would try to match the ET center either. I'd probably go for a dark
brown but much depends upon what else you have in that room If you were
replacing all wood stuff, I'd suggest keeping the wood the same in all so
you have a set. What wood? Well...

Cherry is popular but I don't like it

Maple is popular but not among my favorites.

Walnut is wonderful if you like dark.

Everyone hates poplar but I like it. The heart wood is wierd but sap wood
boards are readily available and if you like light woods, it looks fine.

I don't do red oak. I love white oak...to work and for its inherent
characteristics but not for its looks.

Ash is sort of albino oak.

Birch is ho-hum IMO.

Hickory is under rated...hard but not hard to work; reasonable in cost; both
sap & heart wood are attractive.

Mahogany - particularly quartered African mahogany - can be spectacular.
Nothing wrong with dark red luan either but not as spectacular.

On Wed, 23 Dec 2015 07:12:54 -0800 (PST)
[email protected] wrote:

> My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a
> reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain
> to contrast the floor?

i would use real wood and pick a color i like and clear coat it
might even mix wood types so there is a little contrast within the piece

On Wed, 23 Dec 2015 13:58:59 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

>On 12/23/2015 9:12 AM, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>> Looking for advice. I have a distressed black entertainment center in
>> my living room. I neither love it nor hate it. I am needing new
>> furniture and contemplating making my own end tables and a coffee
>> table and possibly a new entertainment center. (I only do woodworking
>> as a hobby btw).
>>
>> My floors are hardwood oak, with a sort of reddish tint. (I think it
>> may be called butterscotch).
>>
>> My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a
>> reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain
>> to contrast the floor?
>
>I would advise making it the way your gut tells you to make it. As for
>color, trying to match and miss looks like you tried to match and
>missed. Better to not try to match IMHO.
>Either way, buy several different color stains in pints and test sample
>several pieces with your floors or what ever you want them to go with.
>
>
>
>>
>> Or should I keep the entertainment center and paint my coffee
>> table/end tables black? (Again to contrast the floor).
>>
>> More than likely, I would use red oak as I have a lot of it and I can
>> get it at my local Lowes. (I know if I paint it I have to fill in the
>> pores).
>
>Well, you don't have to fill the pores in, I never have. You will still
>see the grain. I used a flat milk paint and varnished over the paint.
>If you don't want to see grain, the problem with painting Oak is that
>you are wasting good wood and spinning your wheels to turn it into a
>cheaper wood. I would advise poplar for painting.
>

Isn't poplar soft, as hardwoods go? My wife wants white in the
kitchen, so for me it is plywood, unfinished and ? for the FF.

>
>>
>> Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you
>> use plywood to simplify everything?
>
>With plywood panels. Not only to simplify but it is smarter to help
>combat wood movement and save a lot of money.
>
>
>
>>
>> I appreciate any advice. I have attached links to some pictures. I
>> hope they work.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>> http://pinterest.com/pin/48140408764239532/?s=3&m=smemo
>>
>>
>> http://pinterest.com/pin/498140408764239536/?s=3&m=smemo
>>
>
>