Advice on timber panelled wall in kitchen

[Deansplit]

Hi

I want to do a feature wall in a kitchen, in a nice hardwood, ie. something much nicer than a standard pine wall. I don't want it looking like a clad fence panel! Like the thought of walnut, Zebrano (altho I know this is extortionate!), Cherry, Maple etc. It's an area about 5sq/m.

Has anyone got any advice on what suitable wood would work well, ie. do some swell more than others, need more/less care etc?

Also how's the best way to fix to wall? Is the traditional T&G the best method to hide any gaps caused through contraction? Or do I just buy solid wood flooring and use that?

I'll be fixing onto battens about 25mm thick (driven by a steel post which sits out from the wall surface which I want to overlap to cover up)

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

Any hardwood will do in the kitchen, cost will be a major factor especially wood s like zebrano and machining cost will also be a factor ,pine comes ready machined from all wood outlets hardwood may be more difficult to find