In answering this question, think of nothing else other than the way it looks. I am not interested in anything else like price, or machineability, or anything else. Just the way it looks. I know a lot has to do with the particular style of a piece, or it's use, and many other factors. But if you were only allowed to build from one wood for the rest of your life, what "wood" it be?
I was wondering because often times I see things that people have made and SOMETIMES I think, "that would look so much better made out of ..." (fill in the blank). Of course I don't mean to denegrate anyone's work because I know that the person made it the way THEY wanted and they are proud of it (and rightfully so). And I know that people would think the same about some of my projects, and that is fine too.
Personally, I tend to like like Oak, Walnut, Cherry, Maple and even Poplar. I also tend to go with the plain-sawn look over the q-sawn. I would prefer a nice straight grained Maple over a birds-eye or quilted. Don't know why, just do. If I had to select one wood to build with, I think it would be Oak. No, Walnut. Wait, no Oak was right. Ooooo, what about Mahogany? No no no, definitely Cherry. Or Oak. Or Hickory. Or Cypress. Nope, gotta stick with Walnut. I got it, how about Wapleoakerry (WalnutmAPLEOAKchERRY). Anyone got any of that?
Well, It's a good thing we are not limited to a single wood.
Wayne