This was my 21st Maloof inspired piece. My wife does bot like it as she thinks the arms and wide seat make it look like an adult “potty seat”. This may end up as the prototype design until I build one she likes. I may end up selling this one.
She had the same opinion of my Nakashima bench a few years ago. She hated it. That piece won best in show at State Fair and Isold it in a gallery. To answer the question from Johnny R. I alyays fume cherry. I do not like the pinkish tones if Cherry is finished as is. Ammonia reacts with the tannins in much the same way as UV light over time as a piece ages. Because this piece was small, I was able to use two large trash bags for a tent and fumed for 48 hours with 28% ammonia. Due to the small size of the tent, the concentration was high so this is my darkest piece yet. I did the fuming last week when it was so cold. Typically the color is even better in the summer. Another advantage of fuming is that it evens the blotchy nature of Cherry.
The difficulty with a maloof piece is that it has to be assembled before you shape the Joinery. I am not sure if the ammonia penetrates enough to fume before assembly. If not, I could never get the color uniform. I can do significant sanding after fuming.
I have fumed oak as well and that is my preference. The color can be adjusted to look like a 100 year old antique. In addition woods with limited tannin like Maple can be saturated with tannic acid and fumed. Tannic acid is available online or at a beer and wine making supply shop.
I ebonized ash using tannic acid and the vinegar/steel wool solution approach. It is not as jet black as ebonized cherry or walnut but seems OK. Ash done this way does have a blueish tone in bright sunlight.