Authentic Materials

Every Gentry Stinson floating shelf begins with real wood veneer, selected, matched, and pressed for perfect consistency and long-term stability. From the linear order of Rift White Oak to the warmth of Alder and the clarity of Maple, each species brings its own personality while meeting the same standard of architectural refinement and cabinet-grade craftsmanship.

Rift White Oak

Architectural Precision with Linear Elegance

Our Rift White Oak Veneer captures the quiet strength of true architectural material. Sourced from premium North American white oak and rift-cut at a 15°–30° angle to the growth rings, it reveals a perfectly straight, vertical grain free from cathedrals or swirls. This method minimizes flake figure while producing the calm, linear geometry prized by modern architects.

Visual Character: Light beige to neutral tan with subtle gray undertones that mature gracefully. The fine, vertical grain delivers a clean, balanced look ideal for Scandinavian, modern, or transitional design.
Material Qualities: High dimensional stability; excellent machining; accepts stains and clear finishes with precision.
Design Applications: Used in architectural interiors, designer kitchens, and commercial millwork where visual order and material honesty define the space.

Maple

Bright, Clean, and Timelessly Refined

Maple Veneer reflects the light, contemporary spirit of North American hard maple. Its creamy-white tone, subtle grain, and natural reflectivity create a polished aesthetic that suits both minimalist and professional environments.

Visual Character: Pale cream to golden hues with fine, even texture and minimal figure. The surface finishes to a crisp sheen, enhancing clarity and brightness.
Material Qualities: Dense and stable; sands to a flawless surface; accepts clear or lightly tinted finishes evenly.
Design Applications: Ideal for modern or transitional interiors, offices, and kitchens seeking a bright, neutral foundation that pairs easily with stone, metal, or matte white finishes.

Clear Alder

Warm, Refined, and Naturally Inviting

Clear Alder Veneer offers the warmth of natural wood in a subtly contemporary form. Selected for uniform color and grain, it bridges rustic charm and modern restraint with ease.

Visual Character: Light honey to soft amber tones that deepen with age. Straight, even grain free of knots for a calm, balanced presentation.
Material Qualities: Excellent machining and finishing behavior; accepts stains and clear coats without blotching; highly stable under interior conditions.
Design Applications: Perfect for floating shelves, cabinetry, and millwork where gentle warmth and understated elegance are desired. Complements stainless, black, or natural environments alike.

Knotty Alder

Rustic Charm with Natural Character

Knotty Alder Veneer celebrates texture, depth, and authenticity. Chosen from the same North American Red Alder species as Clear Alder, these veneers highlight tight and open knots, color variation, and mineral streaks that express true organic character.

Visual Character: Golden browns and ambers with occasional reddish undertones. Each sheet carries its own unique pattern of knots and figure, giving every shelf individuality.
Material Qualities: Machines and sands smoothly despite natural irregularities; takes stains and clear finishes evenly while enhancing depth around knots.
Design Applications: Ideal for farmhouse, mountain, or rustic-modern interiors seeking warmth and authenticity without sacrificing precision or quality.

Why These Four Species Lead the Collection

While a wide range of real wood veneers exists, from walnut and cherry to exotic imports, the four species we offer represent the overwhelming majority of design demand and performance consistency in architectural shelving. Rift White Oak, Maple, Clear Alder, and Knotty Alder cover the full spectrum of aesthetic intent: from crisp modern to warm traditional, from structured minimalism to organic texture.

Each balances visual appeal with predictable machining, stable core bonding, and finish reliability, qualities essential for floating shelves built to exact tolerances. These species also maintain dependable availability from North American mills, ensuring uniform quality and sustainable sourcing without long lead times or supply variability.

In short, they’re the veneers that consistently meet the dual standard of design versatility and production integrity, the reason they’ve become the cornerstone materials for high-end millwork and Gentry Stinson’s signature collections.