Which way to go?

I've begun building the bench for our hallway. Above you'll find the top which I have already assembled and still planing down. Inspired by several designs I've come across but still wanting to continue and push my own design from the previous benches I built (see dining room), this top is a new direction for me. Purchasing a 4' x 8' sheet of oak plywood for $45, I ripped it down in 8' x 1 1/4" inch strips. I stood the strips up in a jig I built (retrofit the previous jig) and glued the strips together, clamping as I go. A good couple hours of sanding with a course grit sandpaper on a belt sander and then a little while with the fine grit on the palm sander should smooth this bench top like glass. With the left over ply wood I am utilizing the same technique and building smaller boards for shoe cubbies underneath. The striations will go in the opposite direction though. I love the lines.