Good wood pairing with white oak?

[Jay Aubuchon]

I will be making a Stickley 110 (http://www.headheartandhand.com/headheartandhand/ljg110.html) nightstand for one of our daughters. If I used white oak as the primary wood, but wanted something else for the side panels, what would look good with the white oak?

Full disclosure: I may end up with cherry as the primary wood, with curly maple for the panels. But the oak is definitely in play.

[Christopher Herzog]

Walnut is one of my main choices. Deer antlers are walnut, body is maple on white oak439173

[Bill Carey]

I would probably go with something lighter - plain maple in a natural finish. But taking the maple up the entire side panel might be too much. I might think about a Mackintosh - ish negative space in the lower part of the side panel, but with the maple sandwiched between 2 thin QSWO panels. So the interior could be all QSWO but the outside has this nice detail / geometric shape / pattern that shows the maple - or whatever accent wood you decide on.

[james glenn]

I prefer walnut with white oak as well. The contract appeals to me.

[Chip Byrd]

Although you didn’t mention this combination, I have found ash and cherry to be very pleasing together.

[Rob Luter]

In the context of your project, perhaps not a good fit, but I've seen Walnut used as an accent wood with white oak and it really looks nice. This is with the White Oak left natural.

[Jay Aubuchon]

I do like the contrast black walnut offers when used for relatively small accents. I have my doubts about using it for the entire side panels. I might play with Bill’s idea.

If we decide to go with cherry as the primary wood, I will take a look at ash as a possible alternative to maple. I do have a little ash on hand.

Thanks!

[Rob Luter]

I do like the contrast black walnut offers when used for relatively small accents. I have my doubts about using it for the entire side panels. I might play with Bill’s idea.

If we decide to go with cherry as the primary wood, I will take a look at ash as a possible alternative to maple. I do have a little ash on hand.

Thanks!

Walnut looks nice with Cherry too (example below). But I'm not sure about using it for the entire side panels.

https://live.staticflickr.com/7877/33250000798_e07775c9ca_b.jpg

Another option would be to go all White Oak and prefinish the end panels for a different look. Perhaps fume them prior to assembly and finishing so they wind up darker to contrast the rest of the piece. Or do the opposite. Here's a little box I made where all the wood except the panels was fumed prior to assembly.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49773664528_97ed0a66be_b.jpg

[Tom Bender]

If you find that piece kinda oppressive you could lighten it up by making the panels from poplar and either painting them or carving something into them. A little creativity can make the piece.