Based on Don's last post where he said "..biggest drawback is top is not quarterd" and based on another day of scrutinizing furniture at a show yesterday, here's an open question. Given any two pieces that are essentially identical in construction and which are not affected too much by rarity or being a name company, how do you judge the premium associated with 1/4 cut; is it a percentage, or just a subjective call, does the number of glue-up pieces factor in, quality of colour, flake, tightness of pattern, pores??? I think I may have just answered the question, meaning it's a range of qualitative factors. I'm curious however to hear if people think there is a default premium of 20, 30, 40% or whatever.

I know when i'm buying pieces at a show I will sometimes just pass altogether on a piece with plain sawn wood. Unless it has other great features that make it a nice form. But even then, I pay less for it. As far as a percentage, for me I don't really think you can place a percent value based strictly on plain vs 1/4'd. But, obviously the same two pieces, one being quartered and the other plain, will have varying prices. Like you said, too many other variables to take in. Usually the only time that color is a major factor is when it's a refinished piece. If it's original and salvagable, you deal with an off shade maybe.

yes, it it totally subjective. the overall design would be the first thing i look at. as a designer, form is the main thing.

construction is second. good joinery outweighs wood choice.

quartersawn oak is obviously first choice, but some awfully nice stuff has been made from chestnut, cherry, ash, etc. i would hate to pass it because there is no ray flake.

Yes lots of factors. I've done lots of looking this past week without buying anything except another tabouret. It really got me thinking on the overall analysis that goes on in my head. Don's statement was a good jump in point on the whole subjective checklist that one goes through when making a decision to buy and how much to pay. I saw a good piece earlier in the week but put off buying knowing I would be at a show yesterday and with budget in mind maybe I could make a better buy at the show. It turned out that despite lots of good stuff at the show, nothing was a must have with price considered (and of course I probably missed stuff to others). I'll probably go back to the piece I saw earlier and pick it up.