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Close-up view of the Harvest Wheat on Alder Sample from James+James showcasing a natural grain pattern and a knot at the upper right corner. The wood displays warm, earthy tones with subtle variations in color and texture.

Finish Sample

Harvest Wheat on Alder Sample

$15
$15 $30
A close-up view of the Tobacco on Alder Sample from James+James reveals the rich grain patterns, knots, and textures of the dark brown wood. The natural variations in color and lines create an intricate and rustic appearance.

Finish Sample

Tobacco on Alder Sample

$15
$15 $30
A close-up of the Charred Ember on Alder Sample by James+James reveals a dark, textured surface with subtle variations in color and grain patterns. A faint V-shaped lighter streak adds depth to the otherwise rich and smooth finish, which has a deep, almost black appearance.

Finish Sample

Charred Ember on Alder Sample

$15
$15 $30
A close-up view of the James+James Satin on White Oak Sample showcasing a natural grain pattern with wavy lines and varying shades of light brown.

Finish Sample

Satin on White Oak Sample

$15
$15 $30
Satin on Black Walnut Sample

Finish Sample

Satin on Black Walnut Sample

$15
$15 $30
The James+James Espresso on Oak Sample features a dark wooden surface with natural oak grain, bold brown tones, and subtle texture variations for a rich, grounding look.

Finish Sample

Espresso on Oak Sample

$15
$15 $30
The Sable on Oak Sample by James+James features a dark brown oak surface with matte sheen, showcasing natural lines and variations, and a smooth, versatile finish typical of stained wood.

Finish Sample

Sable on Oak Sample

$15
$15 $30
Close-up view of the Oat on Oak Sample by James+James, featuring a light brown wood surface with visible natural grain patterns, vertical lines, and a subtle oak finish for an organic, textured appearance.

Finish Sample

Oat on Oak Sample

$15
$15 $30
Almond on Oak Sample

Finish Sample

Almond on Oak Sample

$15
$15 $30
Sandstone on White Oak Sample

Finish Sample

Sandstone on White Oak Sample

$30
$30
Hazel on White Oak Sample

Finish Sample

Hazel on White Oak Sample

$30
$30

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A dining room with a dark wooden table, four chairs, and a bench on a textured rug. A silver vase with white tulips is on the table, and a modern chandelier hangs above. Art and a candlestick are in the background.

Ready to Ship

A black wooden outdoor table with a matching bench is set with glasses, a bread bowl, and white flowers in vases, surrounded by lush greenery near a stone wall by the water.

Dining Tables

A modern living room features two tan leather sofas with a dark wood coffee table and black metal frame between them. On the table is a vase with green plants. The floor is covered with a patterned area rug.

Coffee Tables

A stylish wooden end table with black metal legs sits next to a beige leather sofa. The table is adorned with a large, dark ceramic vase. The room has hardwood floors and a patterned rug.

End Tables

Wooden dining chair with a beige cushion is placed next to a dark-colored table. A white plate with a folded napkin is set on the table. The room has light wood flooring.

Dining Chairs

A cozy bedroom with a wooden bed, white bedding, two bedside tables with lamps, a dresser with a mirror, and a patterned rug on a light wood floor.

Hardwood Beds

A cream-colored, upholstered dining chair with dark wooden legs sits next to a dark wooden table on a textured beige rug in a minimalist room.

Upholstered Chairs

A modern dining room with a wooden table and chairs on a cream rug. Large windows allow natural light, and a contemporary chandelier hangs above the table. A sofa and floor lamp are visible in the background.

Benches

Three wooden bar stools with light upholstered seats are lined up next to a marble kitchen island with light wood paneling. The stools are placed on a light-colored wooden floor.

Stools

A wooden nightstand with three drawers and round handles situated next to a bed. The nightstand has a white lamp and decorative items on top. The background includes a white door and hardwood floor.

Nightstands

A stylish wooden console table with a metal frame stands by a wall under a large mirror. On the table are decorative items: two vases and a plant in a glass jar. Natural light streams through a nearby window, illuminating the space.

Sofa Tables

A cozy home office features a dark wooden desk with books and decor, a cushioned chair, built-in shelves filled with plants and vases, a beige lamp, and a colorful patterned rug on light wood flooring.

Hardwood Desks

Wood Finish Samples for Every Species We Build In

Our wood finish samples let you see each James & James stain on the actual hardwood it is applied to, in your own light, before you order a made-to-order piece. The collection includes 11 samples across oak, knotty alder, white oak and black walnut.

Which wood finish should I choose?

  • Light and bright: Oat on Oak, Harvest Wheat on Alder, Satin on White Oak.
  • Warm mid-tones: Almond on Oak, Tobacco on Alder.
  • Balanced and versatile: Sable on Oak.
  • Deep and grounding: Espresso on Oak, Charred Ember on Alder, Satin on Black Walnut.

Start with the room. Bright, airy spaces often welcome a light finish like Almond, which brings out oak's warmth, while a darker floor or a moody palette may call for Charred Ember, a near-black brown that anchors a space. Hazel on White Oak and Sandstone on White Oak round out the set for white oak designs.

If you are torn between two neighbors on the scale, such as Almond and Sable, order both. The difference between a fresh, light brown and a balanced medium brown is easier to judge on your own table than on a screen.

How the Samples Are Made

  • Real wood: each sample is the species named in its title.
  • Same process: hand-applied stain sealed with a polyurethane topcoat.
  • Natural variation: grain, knots and color differ from board to board.

A finish behaves differently on alder than on oak, which is why every sample names both the stain and the species. Expect your furniture to match the sample's tone while showing its own grain, since no two boards of solid wood are the same.

Getting the Most From Your Samples

  • Morning and evening: view samples in daylight and under lamps.
  • Against the floor: set them on your flooring and beside cabinetry.
  • Check availability: the species offered varies by design.

Live with your samples for a few days before deciding. A tone that looks warm on a sunny afternoon can read deeper at night, and seeing that shift is the reason to order a physical sample. Our finish color guide shows how each stain compares across species.

Choose a Finish Made for Life

  • Next step: select your finish on any product page.
  • Need a second opinion: book a free 30-minute design consultation.

Prefer a shortcut? Browse furniture already grouped by tone in Light & Natural or Rich & Moody, then order the samples that match your short list.

All Finish Samples FAQs

How many wood finish samples does James & James offer?

James & James offers 11 wood finish samples across four species: Oat, Almond, Sable and Espresso on oak; Harvest Wheat, Tobacco and Charred Ember on alder; Hazel, Sandstone and Satin on white oak; and Satin on black walnut. Each sample is real wood in the species named.

Which wood finish samples are light and which are dark?

The lightest samples are Oat on Oak, Harvest Wheat on Alder and Satin on White Oak. Almond on Oak and Tobacco on Alder are warm mid-tones and Sable on Oak is a balanced medium brown, while Espresso on Oak, Charred Ember on Alder and Satin on Black Walnut sit at the deep end.

Will my furniture match the finish sample exactly?

Your furniture will match the sample's tone, but it will show its own grain, because no two boards of solid wood are the same. Samples are made with the same hand-applied stain and polyurethane topcoat as our furniture, on the species named in the title.

How should I test wood finish samples at home?

View your wood finish samples in daylight and again under evening lamps, and set them on your flooring and beside your cabinetry. Live with them for a few days before deciding, since a tone that looks warm on a sunny afternoon can read deeper at night.

Should I order two similar finish samples to compare?

Yes, if you are torn between two neighboring tones, such as Almond and Sable on oak, order both. The difference between a fresh, light brown and a balanced medium brown is far easier to judge on your own table than on a screen.

About James & James

James & James is a handcrafted furniture brand founded in 2011 in Springdale, Arkansas, specializing in solid hardwood furniture made to order in the USA. We design and build dining tables, beds, desks, chairs, and outdoor pieces by hand in our Arkansas woodshop, using premium American hardwoods including knotty alder, white oak, and black walnut. Every piece is fully customizable in size, stain, and finish, and select chairs and beds are crafted in partnership with Amish and Mennonite woodworkers in rural Indiana. Heirloom-quality, built to last generations — furniture Made For Life

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