It's always so hard to tell from photos because we don't know if there has been stain added. The blond streaks make we say that it's hickory; a very hard wood. The blond is the hardest part so doesn't take a stain well.

Yes, it's impossible to guess from a photo like this. I was hoping Rebekah, the designer, might offer a more definite response.
Thanks for guessing.

Boy is this question a good one for me as well!
We will have to be deciding that very same question very soon!
I love the heat the pellet stove throws out and not having to mess with storing wood, hauling wood inside, cleaning up the mess it makes, etc.
Yet the ritual of making a fire and having a real fire seems like it would be nice too?
I am leaning toward a pellet, but can't decide so I'd love to hear an answer to this from anyone who knows.
Thanks

I bought a wood stove and I really love it. I love the act of making a fire and chopping and hauling wood. That being said, it is a LOT of work. At the end of the winter we go out in the woods and chop up logs and haul them back home, then we have to split all the logs and stack them in the wood shed to let them season over the summer. If you think you're going to get tired of all the work associated with a wood stove I highly suggest a pellet stove. Furthermore, a pellet stove is cleaner burning and more efficient. We heat our house with wood and so we burn all winter long and burn about 3 cords of wood a year. I hope this helps! Here's wishing you a warm and toasty winter!