Hello Sabine, this is the wood I am building right now, Alder has a good natural look but is orange color, I do like your pick for staining alder, as walnut would have been my pick to. My cabinets are Alder with Walnut. Kitchen cabinets are distressed Alder and Walnut is natural. Poly Satin finish.

Ken

Hey Bob, Yes I could see the blotchy look at times as Alder is a softer wood, easy to work with and is in allot of homes as it is a great wood product to use as the base wood as it will stain very well and give the look needed.

Ken

Water stains are hard to get away from. Alder is I would say softer then Pine, but looks very well, the orange color can be to much or not!?

Ken

The weathering is actually to make a backyard fence old look. It worked great for alder. I don't have the name of product right now but I did put it on some photos here. If you put it on walnut it turns totally black. Its weathering product a clear coat. It has a great look.

Ken

Alder stains well, but you need to use a pre-stain conditioner.

Also, wiping on the stain with a rag dipped in the stain is easier than sloshing it on and trying to wipe it off evenly.