What is a Character Stain?

Some stains mute variations in wood – the darker the stain, the more variation is hidden. Character stains provide a rich, semi-translucent look accentuating the grain and variation found in natural wood. Try it with one of our Showplace specialty woods to make your eye-catching cabinetry all the more noticeable.

Give it Some Character

Add character stains to your cabinets and bring out the inherent variability, distinctive grain and unique personality of natural wood. This specially formulated finish is only available at Showplace, and for no extra cost.

Character vs. standard

View the comparison between a character stain and standard stain below. Can you see how the graining and markings of the wood varies between the two stain types? That enhancement of the wood brings added warmth to the finish and the look of the space.

Character Stain – Cashew

Red Oak Cashew View View
Red Oak
Rustic Alder Cashew View View
Rustic Alder
Quartersawn White Oak Cashew View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Maple Cashew View View
Maple
Hickory Cashew View View
Hickory
Cherry Cashew View View
Cherry

Standard Stain – Autumn

Red Oak Autumn View View
Red Oak
Rustic Alder Autumn View View
Rustic Alder
Quartersawn White Oak Autumn View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Maple Autumn View View
Maple
Hickory Autumn View View
Hickory
cherry autumn View View
Cherry
horizontal grain wood vertical grain

How Grain Direction Affects Color

Notice from these images above that graining in character stains can affect the appearance of the color. This drawer header was placed vertically to compare with doors on the wall cabinet, then was turned horizontally to show how drawer fronts may not match the doors, even though they are technically the same color. This scenario is acceptable and is not considered a warranty issue.

Available Character Stains

Cashew
Cherry Cashew View View
Cherry
Hickory Cashew View View
Hickory
Maple Cashew View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak Cashew View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Cashew View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Cashew Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
Rustic Alder Cashew View View
Rustic Alder
Hickory Cashew View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut
Dusk
Cherry Dusk View View
Cherry
Hickory Dusk View View
Hickory
Maple Dusk View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Dusk View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak
Rustic Alder Dusk View View
Rustic Alder
Hickory Dusk View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut
Flagstone
Cherry Flagstone View View
Cherry
Hickory Flagstone View View
Hickory
Maple Flagstone View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak Flagstone Swatch View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Flagstone View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Flagstone Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
Rustic Alder Flagstone View View
Rustic Alder
Hickory Flagstone View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut
Midnight
Cherry Midnight View View
Cherry
Hickory Midnight View View
Hickory
Maple Midnight View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak Midnight Swatch View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Midnight View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Midnight Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
Rustic Alder Midnight View View
Rustic Alder
Hickory Midnight View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut
Montana
Cherry Montana wood stain for cabinets View View
Cherry
MT Hickory color swatch View View
Hickory
wooden maple stain for wooden cabinets View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak Montanan Swatch View View
Quartersawn White Oak
red oak color swatch View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Montana Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
Rustic Alder Color Swatch View View
Rustic Alder
MT Hickory color swatch View View
Rustic Hickory
MT Walnut color swatch View View
Walnut
Pampas
Pampas Cherry View View
Cherry
Pampas Hickory View View
Hickory
Pampas Maple View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak Pampas Swatch View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Pampas Red Oak View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Pampas Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
Pampas Rustic Alder View View
Rustic Alder
Pampas Hickory View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut
Sable
Cherry Sable color swatch View View
Cherry
Hickory Sable color swatch View View
Hickory
maple sable color swatch View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak Sable Swatch View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Sable View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Sable Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
rustic alder sable wood stain for cabinets View View
Rustic Alder
rustic hickory sable wood stain for cabinets View View
Rustic Hickory
walnut sable dark wood stain View View
Walnut
Sparrow
A close up image of a cherry brown wood surface. View View
Cherry
hickory sparrow color swatch View View
Hickory
maple sparrow wood stain light brown View View
Maple
View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Sparrow Cabinet Wood View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Sparrow Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
rustic alder sparrow wood stain for cabinets View View
Rustic Alder
rustic hickory sparrow wood stain View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut Sparrow Brown Color Swatch View View
Walnut
Tawny
Cherry Tawny View View
Cherry
Hickory Tawny View View
Hickory
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak Tawny Swatch View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Tawny View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak Tawny Swatch View View
Rift White Oak
Rustic Alder Tawny View View
Rustic Alder
Hickory Tawny View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut Tawny View View
Walnut
Thunder
Cherry Thunder View View
Cherry
Hickory Thunder View View
Hickory
Maple Thunder View View
Maple
Quartersawn White Oak
Red Oak Thunder View View
Red Oak
Rift White Oak
Rustic Alder Thunder View View
Rustic Alder
Hickory Thunder View View
Rustic Hickory
Walnut Thunder View View
Walnut
Vita Only available in our White Oak options
Vita stain on Quartersawn White Oak View View
Quartersawn White Oak
Vita stain on Rift White Oak View View
Rift White Oak
Aria door, maple Montana cabinets Pendleton door, Rustic Alder Cashew stain Cabinet with Tawny stain

The Beauty of Character Stains

The above images are examples of some of our beautiful Character Stains. Aren’t they gorgeous?