The contemporary fireplace mantle was an important part of this room.
When it comes to wood finishing, sanding is an unappreciated part of the process. Not only is it time consuming, but the woods sensitive to the oils in your hand, require significant care to ensure there is no cross-contamination prior to staining, so as to not result in inconsistencies in the end.
After the staining but before the protective coating. In the past, lacquer was the go to product, but environmental laws have changed the industry to more water based products.
I start with a gloss and end with a satin or lower sheen finish.
The final product placed for the customer to enjoy.
Another Fir baby