I want to use prefinished material but include a border. I would like to install a field of butterscotch stained 2 1/4" boards, then a mitered border using 1 1/4 "darker" stained strips, then another row of the butterscotch, followed by another row of the dark and then finish by basket weaving 3 rows of the butterscotch. It would be easier to just use darker 2 1/4 material for the border but I don't think I like the look of a border the same width as the field material.

Opinions from the pros?
Will this be aesthetically pleasing?

Final question, can I rip the two narrow "darker" border stips out of some pre-finished 3 1/4 stock and if so how should I bevel the ripped edges and do I need to stain the bevels.

Thanks

Sure, the bevels can be cut on a table saw. I prefer the darker contrast myself.

I have done this a few times using Butterscotch in the field and the Cherry color borders. One time I did the border using the Saddle color, but imo it did not look as good as the Cherry.

I got some photos showing the alternating border colors like you mentioned and Butterscotch log cabin perpendicular skirting. I will post it whenever I can find it.

To make bevels I prefer a palm sander, then hit it with stain and some wipe on poly.

Jerry, I saw the pictures on your website. Did you rip the cherry pieces or are they full width 2 1/4" strips. I was thinking that I wanted my accent strips to be narrower than my field strips. I believe br111 makes pre-ripped/pre-beveled narrow accent strips but they are rather expensive.

By the way the butterscotch/cherry does look awesome

Those are full width 2 1/4" boards, I prefer the look of a narrower feature strip myself. The homeowners have the final say on layout and board widths.