Footboard/Headboard wood arrangement

[Aaron Beaver]

I am building a bed out of walnut and I know some are very opposed to using walnut sapwood in a walnut project, but if you don't mind sapwood, what do you think of this mock up that I did for the footboard and headboard?

 

[Darren Wright]

I feel like there’s not enough consistency in the pattern for my ocd, but that said, it’s your piece, go with what you like.

 

[Jay Caughron]

OHHHH I love sap wood and use it when ever I can. Using it got me a lot of blue ribbons in 4-H when I was younger.
I love it Aaron

 

[Tom Niemi]

Sap wood is awesome! Just make sure the panels are balanced

 

[Aaron Beaver]

Sap wood is awesome! Just make sure the panels are balanced

On the first picture I think I’m going to swap one of the wider stripes to the other side so that each side has a narrow and wide stripe.

 

[fred hargis]

Nothing wrong with using the sapwood, I think it provides a nice look. I prefer the arrangement on the left...but it's all a matter of personal taste.

 

[Rennie Heuer]

As others have said - sapwood looks good, in balance. I think that, because the contrast between heartwood and sapwood is so stark, balance determines its use and, ultimately, its attractiveness.

 

[Chuck Ellis]

I don't do any flat work, just turnings, but love it when the piece has some sap wood in it.... I do like the lay out on the second picture better... more balance. Beautiful wood and looking forward to seeing the final product.

 

[glenn bradley]

Another sapwood user here. There are different styles that benefit more and less from sapwood. The stark contrast you have could look more at home in a rustic styled piece than in the more traditional style of your drawing IMHO.

Material with less contrast and shape independence can lend a more elegant look; again JMHO.

That being said, our own style should come out in our work and stretching boundaries is part of that.

You can also tone the sapwood as part of your finishing schedule to reduce the color differences. Peter Gedrys has a good discussion here. It discusses concealing sapwood but, variations are easy enough. Unfortunately that is a FWW member's link and so I apologize if that is not be helpful.