apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I just love the semi-circular window seat, though I wouldn't have been able to resist incorporating some storage underneath

That wooden frame banquette is amazing. Picture that by candlelight!

I have been looking to built a bench/chest for the bay window in my bedroom and I'm still debating what kind of storage I want in there (open-chest, shelves, drawers, file cabinet). Also, since it's a bay window in an edwardian house, none of those sizes are standard. I've contacted wood shanti and the estimate is around 3.5K$ which is a bit on the high side.

Anyone has any good addresses/names in the bay area that would do custom work like that?

Thanks!
Alex.

I've got a small, awkwardly placed breakfast nook off my kitchen, and have been dreaming of doing a banquet (one side OR L-shaped) and table in it for a casual dining space...but I'm not sure it's big enough. I know there are some interior design/architecture guidelines about minimum measurements for walkways, doorframes, landings, etc....anything for banquet seating? I can figure out how deep to make the seat, not sure how to coordinate that with table size etc. I should prob just take my best shot, but money is too tight to reinvent the wheel and mess it up, if there's a correct answer out there!

I'm planning this for my kitchen, too, but I've been told by furniture/cabinetmakers that people like to tuck their heels back, and that a perfectly square-edged bench with no space underneath for feet is uncomfortable. Thoughts? If so, how far back should storage be, or put another way, how far should the bench extend beyond the storage? Anyone?

Gorgeous, I love it