flooring vs trim/moulding species recommendations

[fg]

Hi all!

I'm doing some new construction and am having a difficult time making a decision here. I'd really like to go with santos mahogany flooring, but I can't decide on what species of wood to use for the trim work. The most common recommendation I get is to use cherry, but cherry costs quite a bit and my builder wants to charge me a lot more _labor_ to install cherry trim.

Others have told me I can use oak, but the grains won't match/coordinate; and poplar and maple won't take a dark stain well; and pine is soft and will show wear quickly.. etc.

If any one here have any bright ideas, I'd really appreciate hearing from you!

Much Thanks,

Fritz

[Fly-by-Night CC]

Was going to pass on replying to this message because what came to mind was using Walnut, but that's pretty 'spensive too. I agree that none of the Oaks sound like they'd compliment the floor.

Then Ipe (E-pay) popped into my noggin -- it's readily available at flooring dealers, dark in color, hard as hell - meaning it'll resist chair leg and vacuum dents and it's less expensive than Cherry or Walnut (last I noticed). I doubt it's available off the rack in trim configurations, but it shouldn't be too difficult to have it milled. The only thing I can't say for certain is if the coloration would go well with the flooring you've chosen, but my mind's eye thinks so.

[MSH]

Personally, the Santos mahogany I've laid always looked great with paint grade painted white. Very clean.

MH

[fg]

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't know anything about the species, so I'll do some homework.

Again, I really appreciate the tip!

Fritz

[fg]

Thanks, MH. I will say that I also think painted white trim looks very good with the mahogany. Some places in our house will have that. But some rooms I wanted stained and I've just been having trouble picking a species. Thinking I might buckle and go with the cherry anyway though.

Thanks!

Fritz