COMMON FURNITURE WOODS: Beginner's Guide for Furniture Flipping / Refinishing

The number one MOST asked question I get... is "how do you know what kind of wood that is". It's not always an easy answer, and 99% of it is research, practice, and experience. But there ARE some hints that certain wood species give away that can help.
This video won't make you an expert... there's no substitute for literal practice with it. But I'm hoping it will help people just starting out to recognize some common wood species used in furniture, as well as a little about the structure and composition and characteristics of wood as well.
Topics covered in this video:
0:01 Intro
0:50 Looking at what you have
2:25 Basic Wood Terminology
3:00 Heartwood & sapwood
4:35 Earlywood & latewood
5:10 Blotchy stain & grain Reversal
6:03 The ONLY way to get good at identification
8:12 TEAK
10:41 CHERRY
12:24 ASH
14:00 MAPLE
16:13 POPLAR
17:03 WALNUT
18:47 CEDAR
20:11 ELM
21:56 OAK
22:27 What is "tiger wood" or "tiger oak"? QUARTERSAWN
24:01 RED OAK & WHITE OAK
26:04 PINE
27:43 BIRCH
28:53 MAHOGANY
30:15 AFRICAN MAHOGANY
30:52 SOUTH AMERICAN MAHOGANY
31:32 SAPELE
32:16 Research & practice
33:37 End grain
33:52 Responsibility
34:59 Patina
36:50 Final remarks
This list is NOT exhaustive. There are hundreds of other woods used to make all sorts of different furniture. But these are the ones I run into the most, and depending where in the world you live, probably the ones YOU would run into the most.
If there's a wood you would like to learn more about, there is a website that is a free WEALTH of information that might be able to help: www.wood-database.com
Brett from RedBeard Rustics Instagram page: / redbeardrusticswc
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Thanks for watching! If you liked this video, please consider subscribing for more furniture flipping videos!
If you are interested QUICK bites of furniture flipping, refinishing, and restoration, check out my other channel!
💎 / @tfgsnacks
✅Social Media Links & Ways to Support the Channel: bio.site/tfg
📫 To send mail: Transcend Furniture Gallery, c/o Angie, PO Box 718, Hantsport, NS, Canada, B0P1P0
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[@dragns]

Not a teacher?? Nonsense. You have a passion and a skill, and your instinct is to spread that knowledge and passion to others. And you do it in a way that is engaging and entertaining. That is the essence of being a teacher. I don't think there's been a video of yours that I've watched that I didn't learn something new from, so thank you for being MY teacher, at the very least.

[@megh1684]

You are one of the best teachers on KZbin. If you EVER do virtual one-on-ones for newbies like me, l would so buy your time.

[@curiouscat3384]

Yea - SkillShare !!!!

[@CarolBouche]

Yes!

[@lesliepless2939]

Agree!

[@cypressstuart7117]

Wow…this tutorial puts you head and shoulders above your fellow flippers. Anyone would be lucky to get a piece of furniture from you, because you understand them so well, so know how to treat it! Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge .

[@robinrummel1359]

I appreciate your sincere love of wood and old furniture and also your willingness to invest the time and money to educate others gently. I wish some of those who flip furniture only for style trends felt the same, I would still be subscribed to their channels. Thank you for this video, I learned a lot! PS. red and white oak TREES can be identified by the shape of their leaves (one has rounded corners, the other has sharp corners) and when the leaves drop (fall or early spring). Unfortunately I can never remember which is which!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

It’s true! We have a lot of both around here so I’m always looking. I have an app on my phone where I can take a photo of the leaves and it tells me the tree. I love learning!

[@hiris1903]

@@TranscendFurnitureGallery Is English Oak, and Garry Oak what makes the red vs. white oak? I love quarter-sawn oak too! And Curly Maple! And Bird's Eye Maple! So many gorgeous woods. Thank you for taking the time and money to make this video for us!

[@holly5791]

Just a hint about Red Oak trees...I have property covered with both Red and White Oaks. The Red Oak drops only part of it's leaves in the Fall. It drops the rest of them when new leaves come out in the Spring. The new leaves literally push the old leaves off. Guess what that means for me? I get to rake leaves twice a year! Yep, I'm raking leaves in April... I love wood, though, and love being surrounded by it. 😍

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Haha we have a few varieties of oaks as well in our yard. Omg, leaves leaves… always leaves. Lol

[@curiouscat3384]

@@TranscendFurnitureGallery This has nothing to do with furniture but FYI - I'm a city girl developing a Permaculture Food Forest. I only have Pecan trees in my yard so I run around in my station wagon in November to collect bagged leaves from yards that have Oak and Maple. It makes the perfect compost for vegetable gardening - for some reason they offer the most nutrients needed :)

[@anaschulz8084]

I just bought a dining room table to refinish for my grandkids and this is perfect timing! I love how knowledgeable you are and how you share what you know ❤️

[@psychedelikchameleon]

You explained so well about woods in general. I've learned loads and it's only a few minutes in 😁 Thank you for the whole video, it was exactly what I hoped and has taught me a lot, and made me want to look at my furniture again from different angles and try and find out more from any labels or manufacturer marks. I was already convinced one of my tables is maple (which this video reinforced) but I'll see what I can find out about it. I have a pack of small pieces of various wood veneers somewhere from a marquetry kit, which I'm going to dig out and study. Thanks again, I really enjoyed this!

[@GittanKitten]

As a tailor, Quartersawn reminds me of garments that are cut on the bias. You cut it that way for its special attributes, garments cut on the bias are naturally more stretchy and the way they fit the body is unlike straight grain cut fabric. But it is expensive because it is more wasteful and is tricky to work with. I always enjoy finding connections in different media or crafts. Thanks for the wood identification lesson!

[@xxx-il9dv]

Well said!

[@michellelefurge3296]

Well done! Thank you so much for taking the time and the additional expense to do this for us. Much appreciated!

[@Yachtnurse51]

Hear, hear🤭🤓💖

[@nessavee2205]

Thank you so much for sharing your hard earned knowledge with us Angie! This video is a treasure, as are you. It's content like this that sets you apart as a furniture restoration artist vs. a furniture flipper. Watching you give much needed love and attention to otherwise ignored and/or abused pieces brings me so much joy and inspiration. Thank you so very much! As always; looking forward to the next one.

[@willow2333]

My sentiments exactly.. very creative and artistic!!

[@angiemooney873]

Angie I think I can say with absolute truth that we all learn something accurate and useful with every video you produce. You are a rock star furniture rehabilitater and yes, “teacher”. You have carefully gleaned information from years of “doing” . Who else better to teach than one who “does”!

[@little76boo1]

Angie WOW! Thank you so much for taking the vast amounts of time and energy to make this video for us! Identifying species is my biggest issue so far and you've given me such a good beginners reference point. I have already saved this and will be watching it over and over as new pieces of furniture come my way! Honestly, thank you so much! xxx

[@Funkensense]

Omg Angie so much information in one video! Thanks for sharing and the time you take to create every video!! Awesome as always ~ Funkensense 💚

[@ephphathaoracle]

you are a great teacher ( my job is to train teachers, so I feel like I can say this.............) you do ALL the right things, too many to list

[@hastysheriff5730]

Oh my goodness! What a great video! I love how generous you are with your knowledge. Thank you!

[@melissalentz32]

I’m not a refinisher or craftsman of any kind, but I get such a great feeling every time I watch your videos. I grew up watching my Dad do a lot with his hands, including making a few pieces, but mostly fixing wooden items. I learned a lot from him, a little about wood as well. Your video not only took me down memory lane, but taught me a whole heck of a lot more about wood than I ever knew. Thank you!

[@beckymiller6703]

You are a giver, thank you Angie, I think I need to take a better look at my linen closet..i thought it was oak.. Now I suspect I am incorrect.

[@grahs100]

I have read/watched/listened to so many sources to help me understand how to identify wood and I just come away confused. Until now. This was exactly what I've been looking for! I've bookmarked it and will be one of those watching it multiple times. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!!!

[@grahs100]

PS - my brain has not been able to grasp quarter sawn vs plain sawn, but the graphic you used finally helped me understand it.

[@ianbillington8823]

Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou - even though I live in Australia and we don't have as many beautiful variations of wood , this was such an awesome watch and learn. I am a beginner flipper and LOVE watching your channel because you are easy to releate to, explain so clearly and share your experiences and have a laugh along the way - you are an awesome teacher and I think your tatt sleeves are AWESOME too !!! Ian (Adelaide, 🇦🇺 🪃)

[@kellyblodgett3214]

I’ll be saving this video for reference and I’m sure I’ll have to go back several times. Thank you so much for this---funnily enough, I kept thinking to myself “those pieces of wood aren’t cheap”. I recently went shopping for wood ….yikes! Appreciate the time and effort for this Angie, I’ve been looking for something like this for a while.

[@kevinbourke7800]

Brilliantly clear wealth of useful info; have yet to find a better mentor out there. Well done, and bravo on the format!

[@thefeays]

You are a treasure. I would put it in all caps but that's rude. We are so lucky to have someone of your caliber taking the time to share your knowledge. Many, many thanks

[@nancygeiling2780]

I have no intention of ever refinishing another piece of furniture but find myself obsessed with your videos. I keep coming back to them because your voice is so soothing and you are so kind and supportive in your tutorials. You clearly have the patience of a saint. Unfortunately, I did my refinishing 'back in the day' before KZbin or even the internet, so... yeah, it went badly and I never went back. (My 'creativity fix' thing now is quilting.) I just had to tell you how much I enjoy you and your work and your videos. I have learned so much and so enjoy seeing you save all of this furniture from the landfill! PS: I'm sure you know by now that trolls are just sad, angry people that just want others to be sad & angry, too. Pay them no mind! You GO, Girl!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Thank you so much for watching Nancy! I'm so glad you're enjoying my content.

[@mollynakamori]

I have been refinishing furniture for more than 50 years, and still learn so many things from your videos. I thought I had this one in the bag, but still learned a TON! Thanks for all your hard work, research, time, and the care you put into this. You rock!

[@mastiffmom2592]

This video is what I call, Eye Candy. I don’t think I’ve ever met a piece of wood I didn’t like. I must agree with you that quilted birds eye is my favorite, mahogany is a close second. This video is so well done and informative. Thank you! I’m saving this video, for future reference. Thinks to self… She’s not a teacher, she’s a very good teacher. 💯

[@deborahmatatall]

This has been very interesting and helpful. I really appreciate that you share your knowledge with us. You are a very good teacher and I have learned a lot from you! Thank you!🌸

[@ashleyosborne6239]

WOW, Angie! This video is packed full of great info! Thank you for taking the time (and money) for putting this together, I’m definitely saving it and going to watch again. You’re a wealth of knowledge when it comes to furniture and wood. I’ve learned so much from you and really appreciate you sharing what you know with all of us.💜

[@spookyalleyhalloweenyardha6927]

Found your channel almost a week ago and have been binging it all. I appreciate your unique style and interesting twists. (And the fact that you have some beautiful paint/stain pieces that aren't just dated-1980s-country effect. 😉) I loved this video and it helped me finally identify a couple of more unusual woods among my thrifted/vintage collection of furniture. I have done my best to care for them but that will be easier now that I know what they are. I am super excited to identify a pair of vintage hexagon endtables as Elm! I got them in 2019 and refinished them during initial 2020 quarantine. As I stripped off thick fake 1970s "speckled pecan" look goop, this amazing grain came out. Knew it wasn't oak, but couldn't figure out where to start and then life moved on. But now I know! I need more Elm in my life for sure!!! I haven't quite made it thru all your videos just yet (so if this is out there, my apologies) but a suggestion for a future video might be where to find info to identify pieces/styles. My hexagon tables are unlike any others I have ever seen, seem to be professionally made but can't find a makers mark/sticker. I'd love to find a resource that might help me identify more info on them as I struggle to describe them. Thanks for all your videos and keep up the amazing work!

[@cassondramurray6100]

Thank you for this. The time you put in, and more, thank you for the love you have for these woods. They were trees..Living things. We cant make them. I love painted furniture, but the way you treat each piece with care and your gift for which treatment to use, updating without destroying the original character, has made you my favorite youtuber. Many thanks for all you do..

[@deborahbaratka1973]

Well done! Just beginning in my refinishing journey... repurposing things around the house. My favorite piece was an old 1970's headboard from back in our waterbed days. Just made out of 2x pine boards and stained that awful 1970's dark something awful finish. It was sitting in the basement and I always wanted to do something with it, but wasn't sure I could do it. Found your channel and a few others. And after watching a few...got started. Took the top board down to bare wood and did a final sanding with 320. Stained with American Walnut. Painted the balance of the piece. Oh my gosh...I love it. Love the look and it feels so smooth. It's now our current headboard and I cannot help but pet it each night. Love your videos. So helpful. Thank you.

[@roannathephoenix8561]

I'm so glad you're doing this. I found your video very interesting and informative. Especially the samples and examples you used. Could I identify a piece of wood easily...lol, probably not. But at least now I have some references. Thank you.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Haha thank you! It takes a lot of practice for sure, and comparison with other photos and pieces of furniture. Definitely why I made a point to mention that it’s not a quick thing to learn but I wanted to give people a jumping off point :-)

[@maryperner9625]

Yikes! I WILL rewatch this...probably many more times. Thanks so much for this intro tutorial.

[@MaxBune]

I keep coming back to this video whenever I am wondering what type of wood I'm dealing with. So a big thank you, Angie! 🥰

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

I'm so glad you're finding it helpful! 😊

[@marianadefrancisco9804]

I've always contemplated starting renovating but had never found a tutorial explaining the types of wood... Until now! Thanks for the amazing content!

[@mariofernandez9026]

You keep selling yourself short. You are in fact very knowledgeable and a great teacher. This is a valuable video for anyone in the field. Thank you.

[@user-tm1vy6ft1b]

Thank you for all your efforts. I have mostly furnished my homes for the past 50 years with hand-me downs, second-hand furniture buys and much from street-side pick up on garbage days. This, in the pre-how to KZbin videos. My go-to was simply to strip the paint/varnish, sand and repaint/varnish. I have now found you and love how you treat your pieces: with care and respect topped with a great eye for aesthetics. Two years ago, I found a lovely tall chest of drawers on the curb on garbage day and after a quick look at it I figured it was well worth bringing home. I have now pulled it out of the garage and I am trying my best to apply the principles and suggestions I have noted from your videos, including how to fix chipped and detached pieces of veneer. Luckily, it only had the original varnish so I decided to simply scrape it off. As in many of your videos, the top and sides are a beautiful veneer (I THINK it is mahogany) and the legs are solid wood but much lighter. I now need to go back to your videos and find a sample of what you have done in the past. I am hoping to finish with Odie’s oil. I will first stain the legs mahogany (gel based for the first time) to see how close they will be to the rest of the piece. If they do not match, I will stain the rest with the same stain. Would using a wood conditioner on the whole thing prior to staining help me obtain a more uniform finish between the two types of wood? I am sure you have several videos on this very issue, but I notice you have different solutions to each one and wondered if they were mainly for aesthetic preference. Keep up the great work: you are really an inspiration ❤

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

The long answer here, is as much as I would LOVE to be able to help everyone who reaches out, there sadly just aren’t enough hours in the day. There is another side to this as well- sometimes things don’t come across properly through photos and videos, and are best seen, felt, etc in person. For THIS reason, it can sometimes be difficult to accurately determine the age, finish, wood species, etc of people’s project pieces. There is also the element of user error, when recommending products and finishes, or misinterpretation of my instructions. I get, on average, approx 40+ messages per day between Instagram, FB, KZbin, and email (and literally hundreds of questions in the comments). It is unfortunately just not possible to be able to get back to everyone. The short answer is this: you can certainly message me on Instagram and if it’s a simple answer, I may try to help you out. But PLEASE don’t take offence if I’m unable to respond! I need more hours in a day!

[@ayshafernandez5307]

Loved this video. So informative . I will definitely have to watch it a few times and will pin it for reference.

[@barbcrawford3892]

Angie, you’re ah-mazing! Thank you for your generosity of time, and knowledge. I LOVE watching your process, and am awed by the transformations you create.

[@gloriabarrett6476]

Brilliant video- loved the production -so well thought out and packed with clear information delivered with heart❤️

[@jeansteele7685]

Thank you Angie. I believe you are a teacher by trial and error. That being the best way to gain experience. Thank you for buying all those wood pieces to show the different grains. 😍

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You're very welcome! I'm glad I can help! 😊

[@kimberlyshupe3519]

Oh my goodness, you are such an adorable person! I thoroughly enjoyed just watching you talk. You are so very well spoken, and highly intelligent! And your passion for wooden furniture is contagious! I keep hearing you say, you never meant for these videos to be teaching videos, yet, I have learned more from your videos than any others! Truly, thank you for all that you do. All of the effort that you put into these videos make a difference to those of us trying to learn. Keep up the fabulous work, we need you!!!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Thank you so much for this comment Kimberly - it was amazing to read first thing this morning. ❤️

[@carmenm.4091]

Dry…? No way!! This was very interesting and I learned so much. Thank you for doing this! 🙏🏻

[@tracyhyde305]

Angie, thank you for taking the time and going to the expense of producing this video. I’ve been refinishing furniture for close to 10 years, and this is one of the best wood identification videos I’ve seen. Really well done!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@richardroy61]

Well done. I build custom furniture and cabinets and have several peeves when clients make unlearned (started to say stupid) requests. This is a excellent video to refer them to since I tend to be a bit abrupt in response. I appreciate your time and preparation in making this quite educational presentation.

[@janicesnapp2850]

Thanks Angie for making this video. I will be referring back to this when I am stumped or wanting to confirm the type of wood I am working with! Especially helpful when to use a wood conditioner before staining!

[@cnorovich48]

Well done!!! I’m not a furniture flipper and don’t even refinish furniture for my own use….just have to say though your channel is one of my favorites. Your comprehensive explanation of wood types, wood cuts, grains, etc….etc….in this post, is really interesting. You’re a natural teacher. The screen print on Pledge cracked me up. The company that makes Pledge is headquartered here (Racine, WI) and I send away for Odies products. 😉 Looking forward to your next masterpiece. 👍

[@madelinestehlik7841]

As a reseller / restorer this is the best and most helpful furniture refinishing / restoring video I have ever seen. Thank you so much

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Wow! I'm so glad to hear that, I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks so much for watching!

[@blessedabundance6266]

Your Love and respect for these pieces you work on is CONTAGIOUS ❤ I redo furniture and fairly new at it. Because I'm so young in my knowledge.. I pass up on some amazing pieces that are TO beautiful & pristine to put paint on. I'm learning tho from YOU (THANK YOU 😁)💗 And even tho i mainly paint.... my heart is Also in Restoring wonderful pieces that have served so well and have such a story, they deserve to be given a refresh to go on living for decades longer in beautiful grandeur in our homes. I CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!! For the skill and time you share to help other's to become better at what they do❤

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

I have no issue with paint at all! Sometimes, it's simply required to save a piece. One could actually argue that painting a piece IS and BECOMES part of its history. Designers from 50, 100, 150 years ago made some mistakes too, haha- not everything old is valuable or even beautiful. Depression era furniture specifically was made very quickly and often with inferior materials. While that alone offers some historical value, perhaps, that doesn’t always translate into literal value, and a lot of them end up trashed because they just don’t fit in with many modern decor styles. Some things should be left alone. But many could REALLY use an update. You're so welcome and I'm so glad you're enjoying my content!!

[@KristieTaylorMuise]

Thanks for this breakdown. I'm sure I'll re-watch each time I've sanded something and am still scratching my head. Looking forward to the day when I have the experience to understand the varieties like you. Thanks!

[@hamsonthehill]

Thank you Angie. Your passion for furniture shows. I also love walnut and decided on an all walnut kitchen 2 years ago. I couldn't find walnut cabinets in my area and had to go to the coast for them. ( I live in Nebraska). I did find out that solid walnut cabinets would warp over time so went with veneer. I didn't know that before. I watch you all the time but I do wish you lived closer so I could buy some of the pieces you re-do.

[@woodcrafterinyourpocket8640]

I have always struggled identifying types of wood. This was so helpful.

[@rose-hope]

Don’t be so self deprecating…you rock you are a wealth of info - you are definitely a teacher!

[@bthyme]

I really hope you are making lots of notes and dropping them into folders that might some time become chapters in a book. Like Evaluating a Piece, Repairs (tools, supplies, techniques), Design Considerations, Surface Prep, Painting, Staining, etc.

[@jethrom8702]

Angie, I appreciate what you have done here. I have built Norm Abrams chest of drawers and bookshelves. I built my workbench from Fine Woodworking magazine plans. I have carved duck decoys and shorebirds from Anthony Hillman’s books. I have turned wooden bowls from everything from basswood to olive wood. I have spent hours searching the web in order to learn to identify different qualities of lumber available at my hardwoods suppliers. Again, I appreciate your passion, your knowledge and your effort and value what I have found here.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Thank you very much Jethro!

[@CreepDesignsbyTwitch]

Super informative video and very easy to watch and understand. Was great Angie

[@tomcurtis197]

Angie, I'm so glad you made this video! I gave a local painter your link to this video to give to his customer. She doesn't understand why her brand new wood steps are staining differently, step by step. First off, the merged two boards together to make a step so, in two steps, there are four pieces of wood, therefore four different variations to the stain. I get it, the painter gets it, but the homeowner does not so, I'm hoping your video helps her to understand, her problem. We did the stain match and it was to a laminate wood! Ugh! The owner took this on to help out the contractor! ( I wouldn't have) So, once again thank you for your informative videos and clear explanations! ( I swear some people listen but, don't hear!)😂😂😂

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

In one ear and out the other one with no stops in between! But those are the type that then like to argue. It's frustrating! I hope my video can help.

[@sophiachristo7546]

This video will stay in my library forever

[@christinefeucht8668]

You are my #1 go to about woods and finishes. I can’t thank you enough. I’m going to save this video and now get a note pad and while listening stop the video and take notes. This subject has always been hard for me THANKS SO VERY MUCH

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You are so very welcome! Thank you for watching and I'm so glad I could help! 😊

[@KarlBunker]

Thank you for this! I found it hugely informative, well-produced, and entertaining to watch. Tons of respect to you for your knowledge and expertise and for the time and effort you put into sharing that knowledge and expertise here.

[@maryfields6649]

Thank you, Angie. You are a skilled teacher and your content and presentation in this video is excellent 👏 😊

[@tracylamb903]

Thank you so much Angie. All the time and money spent to educate me. I’m actually trying to identify the veneer on a piece my refinishing so this came at a wonderful time. Great info. Love all your videos and furniture.

[@debbiedevore3109]

Oh my goodness! Soon as you said "grab a snack" I just did that, and a drink, sooo intrigued by wood (and rocks), lol, I'm a future flipper learning from all you Flippa"s, love you all!!!!

[@roslynclifford5983]

Thank you for your video. Very informative and helpful. I love the finished pieces that you included to demonstrate what the final product will look like. 😀

[@onedayatagirl]

I just was having this problem. Thank you so much for taking the time for another knowledge class. You're a great orator. 👍🏼

[@kristinacleveland1805]

You are a great teacher! This video was so informative and it's clear how much thought and effort you put into making it! Much love from your Sackville friend!❤

[@sunfun3874]

We live so far from each other, but your videos are so warm and friendly, that it seems I know you 100 years. Thank you for this excellent content. And informative, too!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

I'm very glad to hear that! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@ginalanning5303]

Thank you, thank you, thank you 1) for explaining wood types,2) for explaining that sometimes it's better to preserve a piece that may be on the "endangered" wood list, and 3) for giving so much of your time in this matter. So many "restorers" just so their progress without explaining how their though process works for what they're doing. I so love when a crafty person gives their reasoning behind their choices. Well done you!!!!!!!

[@carlagomez4733]

You have been one of the best teachers! I am so appreciative of you making videos like this. Im literally flipping my 3rd piece of furniture. You're videos have taught me so many imperative things I would have never known otherwise. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You are so welcome!

[@carolinemolloy5171]

Hand on heart there's not one video that you have ever done I have disliked or haven't been in awe off the finish piece I have learnt so much, too much to list but I can say I will be more observant and now have more knowledge to identify my next pieces thanks for sharing your valuable knowledge with us great video as always.

[@dawnroseberry8346]

From one teacher to another, you ARE a teacher. I love learning from you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@debgersh5555]

I don't believe I'll ever refinish a piece BUT it sure is nice to know a little more about different types and species of wood, I learned a lot...💐

[@joeymadama5391]

Angie I have watched other refinishers.. some you have recommended. They were good. But truthfully your my very favorite. Your videos are the best. Your the most informative. None of them are like you. Thank you for your original way of doing things. Your great.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Wow! Thank you so much for that! Much appreciated! ❤️

[@grammybear4226]

🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 68 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼 ❤ 🎀

[@ChicAntiquebyHolly]

This video was INCREDIBLY well done and SO helpful, Angie. Thank you so much for taking the time to make it.

[@shannongovednik5665]

I love how you broke this down for us plebs. Thank you as I know this took a lot of effort.

[@nedamm5677]

Enjoyed this video! Clearly you love your "work" especially working with the different woods, species of wood or trees. Nothing more beautiful than the trees and the resulting pieces in furniture (etc). Appreciate your time 'teaching' us; thank you.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You're most welcome!

[@j.k.rector9818]

I learned about chatoyance! Always wondered what made curly birds eye maple so amazing, with so much change depending on viewing angle. At 15:53 you shared the secret: “One cause of chatoyance is the tree being under stress as it grows, causing the grain to curl back on itself. This results in an effect that basically looks like waves within the wood. This is an amazing and beautiful 3D look that changes as you look at the wood from different angles.” This means we need to love it more than others as it had a difficult life and this is EASY to do! ❤

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Thank you so much for watching! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@hierophant002]

Thank-you for making this!!! I've had such a hard time trying to identify a dresser I am refinishing. This is the best resource by far I have seen.

[@monicagooch5906]

This was timely and informative, thank you.

[@tippyjo5850]

So very informative thank you much for helping us furniture refinishers learn how to identify all of these different types of wood….I’ll be watching this several times

[@robynw6307]

Wow! I finally understand the need for wood conditioner. No-one I have watched has ever explained about the differences in stain absorption being because of earlywood and latewood as you just have - only that it helps, but not why. // That quilted birdseye maple is gorgeous - looks 3D. // Fascinating video. Thank you for spending the time (and the money), Angie.

[@pamela5450]

Very informative and helpful Angie. I will be rewatching this video a lot. You are a great teacher!

[@robynduplooy3039]

This was such an incredibly valuable tutorial! Thank you for your time and energy you've put into this for us xxx

[@catherine5166]

You’re right….. I’m going to have to watch this 10 times! LOL. So much information I can’t simply answer your question of tell me what you learned…WOW!

[@sophiachristo7546]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! I am restoring, painting, and repurposing my furniture and I cherish this video. All the information you shared is comprehensive even for beginners like myself. Thanks so much. You are an amazingly talented generous person.

[@jodidavis6595]

Holy mackerel woman…this has been one of the most educational videos I’ve ever seen and I wasn’t even expecting it. To be honest I was almost gonna skip it. Boy am I glad I stuck to it. I appreciate your knowledge and time to educate us. Thank you Ang. Well done. I really enjoyed this. Have a great wknd. God bless

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Aww thank you!

[@paulatakeuchi7015]

I watched a video about telling woods apart. The gentleman was a logger. Dried the raw lumber in it's just cut form to dry. He has been in the business 50 years and he was asked how do you know what is what. He said you don't get it right a lot of the time it's the nature of the business. However he did say to Buy the Woodworkers Bible. It's the best reference wood workers tool in the business. I also got a 45 piece vaneer sample pack from Amazon. These are the best two tools as I'm a beginner. Both have been a lifesaver for me.

[@jenc5898]

Great video, Angie! I thought you did a super job breaking this down for beginners and even for amateurs. I also really appreciate that you addressed such an interesting question in an informative way without diving too deeply. Great job!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CroneLife1]

Amazingly informative video masterfully delivered. Thank you.

[@kayleighdz2482]

I'm so excited to share this with my husband. As the daughter of a woodworker, I've grown up knowing what different woods look like. I've never been good at explaining how I know.

[@chuckmadden2251]

Thank you. I learned more from this video than 30 yrs of trying to figure this out on my own.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You are so welcome! I'm glad I could help! 😊

[@paulcarlachapman628]

Thank you, Angie! Your depth of knowledge is amazing. I appreciate you.

[@leeannoneal4847]

Angie, thank you for taking the time to make this video and share your experience with us. I do appreciate your help in identifying the different species and types of wood. I admire the fact that you truly respect each piece you work on, and allow it to “speak” to you and tell you what it wants to be. I also don’t automatically paint a piece, especially if it has been well preserved! I’ll paint it if it’s past it’s prime and combine paint with stain on a piece when I can. I have learned so much from you since I started restoring furniture a year or so ago. I am not a flipper-I take a lot of time with each piece and it’s a form of meditation for me. I love to bring a piece back to life again.

[@colleenmccarthy-evans3149]

oh my goodness, this was so great! I so appreciate your articulation of these woods and how they stain/oil...thank you, Angie!

[@jamiehenry4137]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I am terrible at identifying what is what!! This video was extremely helpful!

[@karonivey9181]

Thank for doing this! I’ve been inspired by your Odies Oil and may give it a try. AND I can now confirm I have several mahogany pieces so thanks for the great video!

[@seattlematt]

Thank you so much for putting this together! I've spent a lot of time recently trying to figure out just this issue, thanks for putting together a definitive tutorial.

[@cherylberry1613]

Very informative. Thank you for taking g the time, money and effort to do this video. It has helped me to learn a bit more about identification. My favorite has always been woods with the deeper burgundy tones. Hard to find without paying a fortune. I watch a couple of turning channels and some of the exotic woods they use are spectacular. Again thanks Angie for another great tutorial.

[@zakkaryzoah1386]

THANK YOU for putting the effort and time into this vid! I have it saved so I can refer to it when I need it. IMO, you’ve earned out respect and what you say is important. You have every reason to feel confident about your work, knowledge and opinions. 🌈

[@lizhoward9754]

This video was a 15-plus on a 1-10 scale. You can tell you spent an enormous amount of time researching and putting this all together. Personally, I can’t thank you enough. You packed A LOT of information into one video. I will definitely be using this as a “reference” video in the future. It sure would be nice if there was some app or a Google Wood thing where you could take a picture of the wood/furniture and the app would identify it. Oh well. Don’t see that happening anytime soon.

[@rachaelharris8611]

Angie, you are a rock star! Thank you for taking time to put together this instructive video. :)