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Maverick, welcome to the forum.
I have no experience with Holy, but I've not heard of any wood that does not change color over 1 1/2 year period. Is there an "out of sight" area on the piece you can freshen up the surface with a card scraper? That should let you know if the original color has darkened.
I'm sure someone with more knowledge than I will chime in, good luck.
"I tried being reasonable..........I didn't like it." Clint Eastwood
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Holy will yellow only slightly on its own. Much less than maple or pearwood. That's one reason holly makes for a good decorative element.
As mentioned, try a little light sanding or scraping in an area that wouldn't show or just needs sanding or scraping anyway. Bet it reverts to a lighter color.
Holly is also one of those woods that has to be harvested at the right time (winter I think) otherwise it does go a sickly brown color when dried.
Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. -- G. Carlin
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The amount of yellowing over time is dependent on when it was harvested. Winter is the best time to get whiter pieces that yellow less as they age. The best way to ensure holly stays white over time is to bleach it soon after it's cut.
Still Learning,
Allan Hill
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Thanks for the thoughts. I tried the scrapping and sanding idea, pretty aggressively actually. While the original lightened a bit, it is still conspicuously different from the new stock. This might be explained by a difference in the time of harvest between the two (as suggested supra) or an inherent difference between the color of the trees involved. If anybody else has any knowledge, opinions, or other ideas I'd still be interested.
May have to resort to staining or dying the new stuff. Don't really want to, as it's an intarsia project w/ lots of pieces to go (>500 total and I'm only about 2/3 through) and lots of sanding. Each piece would have to be stained/dyed individually once its made to fit.
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Where are you located? And how much do you need? Maybe another WN member can help you out with some from their stash.
Lonnie
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Good thought on trying to mix the pieces. However, those I've cut from the old stock are already cut and glued in place. The part needing finished would be all on one side, and directly juxtaposed to the old pieces. The contrast, though not earth-shattering, would be readily apparent - almost like having the old section in a shadow and the new in bright light.
I'm in North Dallas. The new stock was had via ebay. Don't know anyone around here who carries it. I probably need a piece approx. 24" x 6" x 1/2". If nothing can be had or made to look closer, the last resort alternative will be to find some plain grained maple w/ the same shade. Any other species to consider if I have to go that way?