{"title":"Alder Finish Samples","description":"\u003ch1\u003eKnotty Alder Finish Samples in Three Distinct Tones\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur \u003cstrong\u003ealder finish samples\u003c\/strong\u003e show the three stains we offer on knotty alder, the wood behind about 95% of James \u0026amp; James furniture: Harvest Wheat, Tobacco and Charred Ember. Order them to see how each tone looks in your home before choosing a finish for a custom piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is knotty alder?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e sourced from the Pacific Northwest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShare of our work:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 95% of the pieces we build.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharacter:\u003c\/strong\u003e visible knots, grain and natural color variation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTop surfaces:\u003c\/strong\u003e knots are filled for a smooth, usable surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnotty alder is the wood most of our tables, beds and benches are built from, and it is the reason so many James \u0026amp; James pieces have a relaxed, lived-in warmth. Its knots and grain are part of solid wood, not defects, so each piece carries its own pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause alder is our most-used wood, its three finishes appear across the widest range of designs, from dining tables and benches to beds and desks. Choosing an alder finish first often makes it easier to coordinate several pieces later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Three Alder Finishes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Wheat:\u003c\/strong\u003e a golden, honeyed tone that brightens interiors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTobacco:\u003c\/strong\u003e a warm, earthy brown that feels timeless and balanced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharred Ember:\u003c\/strong\u003e an intense, near-black brown with dramatic elegance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three samples span light to dark, which makes them easy to compare at once. Harvest Wheat feels luminous in a sunny kitchen, Tobacco sits comfortably in a traditional dining room, and Charred Ember gives a bedroom or study a grounded, dramatic anchor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeeing Alder in Your Own Space\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight changes:\u003c\/strong\u003e honeyed tones read warmer at sunset, darker tones deeper at night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e test samples beside upholstery, metals and wall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e each is hand-applied and sealed with polyurethane.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace the samples where the furniture will live and look at them over a full day. Because alder takes stain with natural variation, a sample shows the tone and texture to expect rather than an exact copy of your finished piece. Expect gentle shifts in color from one board to the next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChoose an Alder Finish Made for Life\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShop by finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e see furniture in each alder stain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompare species:\u003c\/strong\u003e view every finish sample in one place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse furniture finished in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/harvest-wheat-on-alder\"\u003eHarvest Wheat on Alder\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/charred-ember-on-alder\"\u003eCharred Ember on Alder\u003c\/a\u003e, or return to all \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/finish-samples\"\u003ewood finish samples\u003c\/a\u003e to compare alder with oak and walnut.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"stain-sample","title":"Charred Ember on Alder Sample","description":"\u003ch3\u003eVisualize Your Custom Furniture with Confidence\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoosing the right finish for your home is a deeply personal decision. The way natural light filters through your windows, the color of your walls, and the texture of your rugs all influence how a piece of furniture feels in your space. Our Charred Ember on Alder sample allows you to bring this striking finish directly into your home, helping you make an intentional choice for your next gathering piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharred Ember on solid alder is a rich, dark finish designed to highlight the natural character of the wood. It features a deep, smoky hue with subtle undertones of warm brown and black, creating a beautiful charred effect. Alder wood is known for its smooth, fine grain, and this finish accentuates those natural patterns rather than hiding them, offering a balanced look that feels both grounded and refined.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are planning a dining room with bold contrast or looking to add depth to a warm, rustic living space, this sample helps you design with certainty. We recommend placing the sample in different areas of your room throughout the day to see how the morning sun and evening lamplight bring out the subtle undertones of the wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt James \u0026amp; James, we build furniture to be lived in and gathered around for years to come. Ordering a physical wood sample is the first step to ensuring that the custom piece we handcraft for your family fits seamlessly into your home and your daily routines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"James \u0026 James","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46147821764832,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0264\/9636\/8699\/files\/b2d5ab4a-40c5-4e0d-a0fb-cbe5ec23969f_0fc4c173-b3ff-4444-a823-075b83bbe689.jpg?v=1740949893"},{"product_id":"stain-sample-alder-tobacoo","title":"Tobacco on Alder Sample","description":"\u003cp\u003eChoosing the right finish for your custom furniture is an intentional process. Our Tobacco on Alder Wood Sample allows you to bring a piece of our workshop into your home, helping you visualize how this warm, inviting tone complements your space, lighting, and existing decor before placing your order.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA Warm, Versatile Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTobacco on Alder is a thoughtful, medium-brown finish designed to highlight the natural character of solid alder wood. With its rich, earthy undertones and subtle depth, this finish accentuates the unique grain patterns inherent in every piece of timber. It is a versatile choice that feels equally at home in a classic, rustic, or contemporary setting, bringing a sense of grounded warmth to your dining room, living room, or workspace.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Order a Sample?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWood is a natural material, and its appearance can shift beautifully depending on the time of day and the lighting in your room. By holding this physical sample in your hands, you can observe how the medium-brown tones interact with both natural sunlight and evening lamplight, compare the finish directly against your flooring, cabinetry, and wall colors, and feel the smooth texture and quality of our solid alder wood firsthand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach sample is crafted from the same solid alder we use to build our handmade tables, benches, and storage pieces, ensuring an accurate representation of the final product. Take the time to live with the color for a few days, placing it in different areas of your room, so you can make your choice with complete confidence.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"James \u0026 James","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46147821961440,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0264\/9636\/8699\/files\/29466794-dbd8-4278-aa63-c10523797a44_ab5e71b0-c781-4beb-989e-407901f3d430.jpg?v=1740949917"},{"product_id":"stain-sample-alder-harvest-wheat","title":"Harvest Wheat on Alder Sample","description":"\u003ch3\u003eBring the Warmth of Harvest Wheat Into Your Home\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoosing the right finish for your custom furniture is an intentional process. Lighting, wall colors, and existing decor all play a role in how a wood tone behaves in your space. Ordering a physical wood sample allows you to see and feel the material in your own home before we begin handcrafting your heirloom piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur Harvest Wheat on Alder finish is a light, honey-toned stain designed to celebrate the natural character of solid alder wood. It features a beautiful balance of golden hues and occasional weathered accents, often revealing subtle gray undertones that vary naturally with the wood's unique grain. This versatile finish brings a quiet warmth and depth, making it equally suited for modern spaces and classic, rustic homes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Order a Wood Sample?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue-to-Life Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e See how the golden tones and subtle gray undertones shift throughout the day in your home's natural light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTactile Experience:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feel the smooth texture of our finished solid alder wood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConfident Coordination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hold the sample against your flooring, paint swatches, and existing decor to ensure a harmonious match.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach sample is crafted from the same solid alder we use to build our furniture, giving you an honest representation of the grain, texture, and tone that will define your finished piece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"James \u0026 James","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46147822354656,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0264\/9636\/8699\/files\/03e97b68-58f4-4d5e-87ab-e159a7def682_b9e6b76f-4d9a-4cae-b71e-7edad3d9cca8.jpg?v=1740949933"}],"url":"https:\/\/jamesandjamesfurniture.sbs\/collections\/alder-finish-samples.oembed","provider":"James \u0026 James","version":"1.0","type":"link"}