That's only a goal though. Taking advantage of the natural beauty of the wood is not always the only goal, primary goal, or even a goal at all.

I am super confused right now. I tried to be very careful in my wording to avoid being hyperbolic or all inclusive. Am I giving that impression at all?

Eh, I dunno. I don't take issue with your reply. I suspect some people might read "from a fine woodworking perspective" as snobbery or a no-true-Scotsman that I'm not seeing?

From my standpoint as a woodworker, everybody's money's equally green and if somebody wants a piece stained something garish, it doesn't cost me any more than if they want it in a natural color. Although, as a mentor of mine once said: "You don't have to sign everything you build".

I'll let you know if that perspective changes if I ever have so much work coming in that I have to turn jobs down :-)

Your work is gorgeous. I hope you get to that point.

Thank you!

In "counter to purpose when the goal is" kedean interpreted "when" as meaning "given" rather than meaning "if"

That helps. Thank you.