Bench #2 of my ongoing task to build seats for my elm slab table (http://lumberjocks.com/projects/78137). I decided on benches because a)they’re easier to build than a bunch of chairs and b)it fits with the rustic character of the table. Unlike my last bench (http://lumberjocks.com/projects/79880) my wife wanted this bench to have a back on it. The slab I used had a taper to it which would make it uncomfortable to have a back on the narrow end. I contemplated cutting the slab in half and just having a back on the wide section, but after playing around with a few different ideas (and some inspiration from Nakashima) I came up with what you see.
Slab and base is elm, slats are cherry and tenon wedges are walnut. Finished with 6 coats of Minwax “Tung” oil.