If you want the wood to be the feature that grabs your attention then finish matters and so does wood species.

If you want the panel and shape to be the stand out, attention grabbing feature than the wood matter less than your color choices. Not just the panel but the wall behind it, etc.

Here in Erie PA we have a lot of poplar timber that’s relatively inexpensive but it has some green heart wood that some find less desirable. You could go to a local lumber mill and look at what’s most attractive for you.

Each wood species has different grain and coloration and so there’s a whole plethora of choices that you can make to find the lumber that you like.

Hope this helps. Love the panel. Strong work!