The Finish Right From the Start
Before the first board is cut, the biggest decision isn't construction, it's choosing whether the built-in should blend into House 173 or stand apart.
The last post I announced my intention for the next project here at 173, which turns out to be a built in fireplace/bookcase. I have an idea of what I want...
The Vision for the Built-In
Similar, but not quite...there won't be cabinets in the bottom, just book shelves. The picture above is merely an inspiration shot that I culled from Retro-Tech Construction's website. As I go through this planning process, I am already faced with perhaps the biggest decision of the whole project - what will the finish be? One of the big selling-points here at 173 is that the woodwork has never been painted, and it's gorgeous!
The Challenge of Matching Old Woodwork
So my initial idea is to finish the builtin so it matches the rest of the wood in the house. I want it to look original to 173.I suppose that's really the goal behind almost every project I do here. I'm rarely trying to make House 173 look newer. Quite the opposite, I want people to wonder if something has always been there. If a visitor has to stop and ask whether the built-in is original to the house, then I'll know I got pretty close. That's a far more satisfying compliment than simply hearing, "Nice bookshelf."
But there's a couple hurdles to that idea. First off, I am FAR from a master carpenter, no matter the amount of planning, I always screw up at least a small piece of a project! But in this case, the biggest problem is matching the stain. Of course, to some small degree, I have been stressing about matching the stain color here at 173 since 1997! This has become a bit of an obsession the last couple weeks, to the point this has happened...
I've tried so many combinations of pre-stain conditioner, multiple stains of different colors, amber shellac, polyurethane, oil-based wood-penetrating stains, gel stains, everything but steeped tea! But I just can't match the wood color in the house. However, that one on top - this one:
... and I think I may be able to work with that one. Restyle Junkie has a nice post about using this stain, and some advice I need to consider! I was talking about this with a colleague at work, and she said something a bit profound...it's probably worse to try to get close and miss with matching a color than it is to simply choose a different color. Sage advice, I'm trying to keep that in mind!
Testing Every Finish I Could Think Of
And that's not the half of it! Here's another shot:
I'm liking that one. It's General Finishes' Antique Walnut:
... and I think I may be able to work with that one. Restyle Junkie has a nice post about using this stain, and some advice I need to consider! I was talking about this with a colleague at work, and she said something a bit profound...it's probably worse to try to get close and miss with matching a color than it is to simply choose a different color. Sage advice, I'm trying to keep that in mind!
Paint Remains an Option
BUT... I'm not 100% convinced I'm going to like that color on a larger scale than just a test board. So, in the back of my mind is the very real possibility that the whole thing may end up painted. I spent some time back in 2015 painting the dining room table, chairs and hutch, and I guess there's a real possibility the whole thing may be painted to match those pieces:
But that's all some time away yet...next up - prepwork!
See ya next time!
George
I had to laugh when I saw all the stain samples. Every woodworker thinks they'll pick a color in five minutes...then three days later they're still making little test boards. 😄Your coworker gave you good advice too. Sometimes it's better to make something look intentionally different than almost the same.And if I know anything about projects like this, it's going to take longer than you think. Not because you don't know what you're doing...just because you care enough to get it right.I'm looking forward to seeing where this one goes. - A. Ignatius
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to match old woodwork exactly?
Usually not. Wood changes color over decades through oxidation, sunlight, finish aging, and normal wear. Even if you know the original species and finish, new lumber often accepts stain differently than wood that has aged for nearly a century.
For many restorations, the goal becomes creating something that harmonizes with the existing woodwork rather than achieving a perfect color match.
Why make finish decisions before building?
The finish influences material choices, joinery, trim details, and even how carefully certain surfaces must be sanded.
A painted built-in can hide filled nail holes and minor imperfections more easily than a stained one, while a stained project requires greater attention to grain matching, sanding consistency, and glue cleanup.
Making the decision early helps guide the entire construction process.
Why test stain on scrap boards?
Wood species, sanding grit, conditioners, shellac, and topcoats all influence the final appearance.
A stain that looks perfect on the label, or even on another person's project, may appear completely different on your own lumber.
Creating numerous sample boards allows finishes to be compared under the same lighting conditions before committing to an entire project.
Is General Finishes Antique Walnut a good stain?
General Finishes Antique Walnut is popular because it produces a rich brown tone without becoming excessively dark. Many woodworkers appreciate that it highlights grain while avoiding the orange cast found in some traditional walnut stains.
As with any stain, testing on the exact wood species being used is essential because results vary considerably.
Should built-ins match existing woodwork?
There isn't a single correct answer.
Matching helps a built-in appear original to the house, especially in older homes with distinctive trim.
Choosing a complementary, but intentionally different, finish can also work beautifully, particularly if the built-in is meant to read as furniture rather than architecture.
The important thing is making the choice intentionally rather than landing somewhere awkwardly in between.
Keywords
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