Have a customer that wants to go cheap on a TV cabinet to fill a family room niche. I have built many painted and hardwood TV cabinets but the money he wants to spend I'm not sure I can build him a stained natural wood cabinet and make any money. Is there a wood product that looks good with a faux wood stained finish and what would I use to get a wood grain looking finish or something close. And what wood species would you use? Heard poplar doesnt take stain well, but never tried to stain it. I need a cheap species to make this worth while. Is there a website that may explain the process?

Thanks,
Rich