Just stick with the basic melamine type of design only instead of using melamine (particleboard with an outer layer of melamine) use a timber veneer (particleboard with an outer layer of real timber). All of the major woods should be readily available, Oak, Cherry, Blackwood, Maple, Plantation Pines, etc. To finish the edges use solid wood, you can buy solid wood edging (square, rectangle, turned, etc) in all the same thicknesses as paticleboard. Use kickboards and dresser style tops with turned edging and you're set. It's much more work and costs a lot more to build and finish (I spend much more time sanding, staining and applying a finish than building) but you will end up with a piece of furniture thats very easy on the eyes. Generally most people won't be able to tell it's not built from solid wood either.
|