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Exploring wood tones for wall art

therustic3dge

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Joined
Sep 5, 2025
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6
So, I'm working on a big wall art piece using wood squares instead of paint. I'm really loving the grain in cedar. What other types of wood or color tricks do you think I should check out?
 
Neat idea! Other than cedar, you should definitely look into walnut for its deep, rich brown tones and a really distinctive grain pattern.

Cherry is another excellent choice with a warm, reddish color that darkens beautifully over time. If you want something lighter, maple has a very clean look and a subtle grain. You can also experiment with different finishes to bring out the grain more, like a clear oil to make it pop, or even a light stain to shift the color without hiding the texture.
 
Cedar is definitely a great choice for grain but for natural contrast, I can recommend you mix in walnut for the dark tones, then maple or ash for light, and maybe cherry for a warm reddish hue
 
What a fantastic combo. The walnut really gives it some depth, while the maple and ash add a nice, bright touch. And then there's the cherry, which just warms everything up perfectly. It's such a nice balance of flavors and textures
 
If you don't wanna drop cash on a bunch of fancy boards, hit up the offcuts bin at a lumberyard. Oak, ash, poplar, all sorts of random colors pop once you oil them.
 
You can also mix pine or spruce for contrast on Cedar. Oak and Cherry is also a good choice if you prefer richer tones that add depth. You can also play around with stains or natural oils to bring out the grain patterns.
 
That sounds awesome. Cedar is a great choice for grain and tone, got that from my Uncle I grew up with
 
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