Contrasting wood strips can make all the difference in deck design. Some of the nicest decks on this sight used contrasting strips and followed the standard basic strip filling progression. My first stripper (Wee Lassie II) used standard contour stripes and came out looking good. My second stripper (Wee Lassie) is stapleless, has an fancy design and is stripped in African Mahogany. I'm so glad I didn't attempt this my first time around.

In art school the instructors always emphasized to us the KISS rule. Keep It Simple Stu... Complex isn't bad either

Best of luck (and elbow grease) to you on your fancy design. Isn't it quite the charracter builder?

Roger Nuffer