The dark furniture wants to be offset by a light, somewhat muted color, I think. I'd go for a very light blue or maybe green, something that will add some color to the room after the dark walnut and the tan carpet.

I've only done bent lamination a few times. Like you, I've always oriented the grain longwise.
I think I would only be persuaded to use crossplys if the assembly started to be more panel-like. A narrow assembly (say 2" to 10" or so) is more like a bent board than a bent piece of plywood. A wider assembly would begin to resemble a bent plywood panel. I think crossplys might make more sense then.

well that sucks. The parts came in. Put the new transmission pulley on. Replaced the drive belt. Adjusted the brakes (so I now have brakes). Replace the left rear tire. Replaced the front stabilizer bar which holds the front part of the deck mower up, 1/2 thick and somehow the previous owner managed to bend it. New blades, tune up. Cleaned it up all around the pulleys and transmission since I had the fender and every thing off. Got everything back together.

Turned the key and boom, starts right up. Brakes actually held it in place in neutral and the mower stops on the hills. It actually drove better, when turning tight corners it actually kept going, seemed to handle the hills better. Now I don't have an excuse to replace it with a kubota like the one my neighbor loaned me.

Looking good!

Next thing you know, your wife will expect you to make some furniture at that bench, too.

Nice job on the planters and bench (and the deck, too!).

Nice job!

My neighbor made one of these about 4 months ago, using some of my tools. He makes great bread and pizzas!

When you had the wheel off could you turn the bearing to see if was turning freely?

It will vary with how much would you're removing at a pass (the chip stuff), and if you're getting a smooth cut I wouldn't worry about it. As for a sharpener, I used Bull Sharpening in Oak park IL (they have a website with their prices).

I forgot all about it this year! Seemed earlier than usual.

Very nice great shape.