Oak headboard

[Walt Helms]

I'm finishing up some red oak headboards, and I'm looking for some advice!

I've finished the red oak frame with Bartley's Golden Oak stain....

I'm contemplating quartersawn red oak to create raised panels to complete the piece.

So here are the questions:

1) Would the QS red oak look too "busy" in this application?
2) Should I consider staining the QS red oak to match the frame?
3) Should I create the raised panels in red oak and finish to match the frame?

Has anyone ever fumed QS RED OAK? Got any pictures? :)

Thanks for any and all suggestions/comments!

I've included a photo here: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=152382

[Wally Alexander]

I think the QS red oak would look great. It should soften the look of the flat sawn frame. It would actually look too busy if you used flat sawn panels. Another possibility if you're worried about the ray flecks, is to use rift sawn boards. That way you'd get the straight grain, without the flecks. Ray flecks aren't usually as prominent in red oak, so in my opinion shouldn't be a problem. I would definetly use the same stain/finish on both. Hope this helps, Wally

[Don Bullock]

...
So here are the questions:

1) Would the QS red oak look too "busy" in this application?
2) Should I consider staining the QS red oak to match the frame?
3) Should I create the raised panels in red oak and finish to match the frame?

I've included a photo here: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=152382

First of all, your headboard "frame" looks great. I like the design.

1) no
2) yes, staining a different color might make it look too busy. If you want a different color for the panels I'd suggest using a different wood. Walnut or maple panels would really stand out in your oak frame and give a completely different look to the piece.
3) perhaps, it all depends on the look you're after

Personally, I like the flecks of QSO, but you or the person the bed is for may not. Rrift sawn boards or QS with no flecks might be another alternative. You also need to consider the other furniture in the room. While I realize that the current trend in decorating right now is avoiding exact matching of furniture, i.e. sets, there still needs to be some coordination between different furniture in the bedroom.

[Dave MacArthur]

Great looking headboard. I agree with Don above pretty much.
- The flat sawn headboard would look too busy IMO with quarter sawn. Additionally, the fleck in red oak is not so noticeable in QS anyways. If you use red oak, I would go with rift sawn, should be cheaper and provide a nice calm panel to let that great frame stand out. And I'd stain the same.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/SirDoofus/ps%20rs%20qs%20oaks/IMG_7735.jpg
- However... I actually would most like that with different colored wood in there, and I'd go for clear maple, or walnut. I personally like the dark walnut look, but I know a red/brown combo may not be for all. But I did see a thread recently of someone combining the two, and the pieces looked much better than I expected.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c290/davidgiles/kit2.jpg
http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=120032&d=1244305308
- If I went walnut, I'd inlay something in each panel, maybe initials, in maple.

Here are a couple threads on mixed woods you may like:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=1422055#post1422055
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=115724

[Mike Heidrick]

I used QS oak in my daughters queen headboard that I stained cinnamon and pre cat lacquered. I think it looks great but may be partial. the pink comforter I hope is a phase LOL. Pics make it hard to see I guess. I love the way the rays come out in the raised portion and continue through the flat face of the panel.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/bedm3.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/bedm2.jpg

[Walt Helms]

All;

Thanks very much for your inputs (especially the pictures).

Since I am making four of these headboards, and the raised panels can be removed, I'm afforded the opportunity to "play"!

I do have some nicely figured walnut, curly maple and red oak....nothing to lose but a little time! ;)

Thanks again!