Wood finishing ideas?

[wood_salesman]

I need help on how to finish out a bunch of knotty eastern white pine car siding on walls and some ceilings inside a new barn house? I also have some knotty hickory kitchen cabinets next to the pine to stain and finish.
I want something unique and natural looking that will go good with the rest of the natural features in this barn house like: natural slate flooring, wild west green-chiseled edge granite countertops, light tan-tumbled edge travertine tile, & a native stone fireplace.
Suggestions???
Thanks for any help.

[beacon14]

I have a lot of rustic cypress, as well as oak and beech in my home. My finish of choice is two coats of good old shellac (I mix two parts of amber with one part clear shellac) followed by a light rubbing with steel wool and paste wax.

Whatever you do I suggest you try it on a few pieces to see how you like it before you commit.

[wberminio]

I think David is on the right track for look you're trying to acheieve.Shellac is not the most durable finish,but it will be fine for interior finishes.Shellac will seal the knots in cedar very well and bring out the natural color in the wood.Plus if there is any eventual damage,it's very easy to repair.
Only thing that might help is to thin the first coat abit.

Sounds like a place I'd like to move in to.

Erminio

[beacon14]

I used the shellac on my ceiling (knotty cypress) eight years ago and it still doesn't have a single scratch or fingerprint!!

[wberminio]

David

I used shellac on the interior underside of a cabinet countertop 10 years ago and had the same results!!!