Inlay wood for a cherry picture frame

[Mark W Pugh]

So, I'm going to build a picture frame for a picture I'm having painted for my dad. I'm going to use cherry and want to add some inlays. I'm wanting a wood that really pops with cherry. What wood would you guys recommend?

I bought some yellow heart, but I don't know if that will look right.

Thanks

[Lee Schierer]

I've made two things using cherry that also had an inlay. For the inlay I used Holly. It is a very white wood and looks nice with the cherry.
cherrybox1.jpg

[roger wiegand]

Almost everything I make is a combination of cherry and maple, so I obviously think that looks good! Holly will have more contrast. Here's an example of an ebony inlay I did at the corners of a cherry mirror frame.

IMG_1085.jpg

[Rick Whitehead]

I like curly maple as a contrasting wood to cherry.
Rick

[Shawn Pixley]

Maple or walnut work well.

[Keith Hankins]

If i want a light contrast, its holly, for dark, walnut because I cant afford ebony.

[Bob Vavricka]

I have paired cherry and walnut before, but over time the cherry has darkened to the point that there isn't much contrast.

[Chris Padilla]

Excellent point, Bob! In that case, better to go with a lighter wood since the cherry will darken over time. Maple is commonly available and you can be picky and find the most white piece possible. Maple can be a bit darker to lightish tan and have dark streaks in it.

[Bob Vavricka]

Bocote might be an option if you want dark. It is kind of a pain to work with, but it is dark and I have used it for inlay before.

[Jim Finn]

Maple or basswood is what I use for inlay in red cedar.