The wood was remarkably free of knots so was not redwood.
There are grades of redwood that have very few knots, but it's not something
you will find in your average timber merchant. Hemlock is pine coloured
without knots. Pricey though. They might even have used cedar in a shower
room
Was it likely to be good quality
white wood stained ? - with what and what would the matt finish likely
to have been as it was totally free of dust trapment and runs that I
always associate with polurathane varnish.
Softwoods generally darken and go orangey with time. A bit warmer than honey
I'd say.
If you apply polyurethane sparingly with a rag (2-3 coats) you get a uniform
satin look rather than the garish finish you get following the instructions.