CHERRY FURNITURE
Handmade Cherry Furniture, Built to Order
Cherry is the wood that grows with you. It starts out a light pinkish tan and, with sunlight and time, slowly turns a deep, glowing reddish brown. A cherry piece you buy today will look even richer in five years, and no stain can quite copy that.
Questions about cherry? Call or text Fran directly at 607-218-2044
About Cherry
American black cherry (Prunus serotina) grows across the eastern U.S., with some of the finest timber coming from the forests of Pennsylvania and New York. It was a favorite of Shaker and early American furniture makers for its smooth grain and warm color.
- Color: Light pink-salmon when freshly milled, darkening to a rich red-brown.
- Grain: Fine, even, and satiny, sometimes with small dark gum flecks that add character.
- Hardness: About 950 on the Janka scale. Moderately hard and very stable.
- Aging: Darkens noticeably in the first months and keeps deepening for years. Tip: keep decorations moving for the first few months so the color evens out.
- Best for: Dressers, nightstands, desks, beds, and Shaker style pieces.
What to Expect from Cherry
- Price: $$ (middle of the range of the five woods I offer). Middle of the range. Cherry is usually a bit more than red oak, close to maple, and less than white oak or walnut.
- With kids and pets: Cherry is softer than oak and maple, closer to walnut. It can pick up small dents, so it’s best for bedroom furniture, desks and tables where a little character is welcome.
- Color over time: Starts out a light pinkish tan and darkens a lot in the first 6 to 12 months, then keeps slowly deepening to a rich red-brown for years.
- Matching your home: Feels warm and classic, and it’s a natural fit with traditional, Shaker and colonial homes.
- Care: Coasters for hot and wet items, wipe spills promptly, and a fresh coat of oil and wax once or twice a year.
Why I Like Building With It
Cherry is a pleasure to work. It planes to a glassy surface and shows off fine details like dovetails and hand-cut edges. It’s a great pick if you want something classic that will become a family heirloom.
WHERE MY WOOD COMES FROM
I hand-pick every cherry board myself from mills here in upstate New York, including Wightman Lumber in Portlandville, Southern Tier Hardwoods in Apalachin, Butler Hardwoods in Horseheads, and Heartwood in Sherburne. Choosing boards in person lets me match color and grain across your whole piece, so it looks like it came from one tree.
SHOP
Cherry Pieces You Can Order
Each of these designs can be built in cherry. Don’t see what you need? I build custom pieces to your exact size.
Cherry FAQ
How fast does cherry get darker?
Most of the change happens in the first 6 to 12 months, depending on how much light the room gets. After that it keeps deepening slowly for years.
Can you stain cherry so it looks aged right away?
I don’t recommend it. Cherry can stain blotchy, and nothing quite matches the glow it develops on its own. A little patience pays off.
Will sunlight damage cherry?
Sunlight is what darkens it, so it isn’t damage. For the first few months, move lamps and decorations around now and then so the color evens out.
Is cherry a good wood for a dining table?
It makes a gorgeous table. Since it’s on the softer side, placemats and coasters help, and any small marks tend to blend in as it darkens.
Should I choose cherry or walnut?
Both are elegant. Walnut is dark brown right away. Cherry starts lighter and grows into a reddish-brown, and it usually costs less.
Still deciding? Compare all five in my Choosing Your Wood guide, or explore Black Walnut · White Oak · Hard Maple · Red Oak.
Ready for a Custom Cherry Piece?
Tell me what you have in mind and I’ll send a free quote with pricing and lead time.
Or call or text me at 607-218-2044