How to do this upholstered bench top

[Gene Davis]

Daughter wants a piece made for the foyer, and I attached a screencap of what she sent me.

How do you suggest I handle the upholstered top? I'll have a shop do it, but wonder, should I just have them build it on a plywood base, or do a frame for it they can web like a chair seat.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Something like that would normally be done on a plywood base.

After getting it upholstered, I'd attach the plywood via a few screws from inside the bench.

[Wayne Lomman]

The difference will be the comfort factor. A solid base under the upholstery will cause rear end fatigue whereas an open frame with webbing does not. If I may suggest a compromise, cut it out of ply and then cut out the centre for the upholsterers to put webbing across. Leave a 2 1/2 inch minimum border of ply. This is a common method for this type of upholstery. You can still attach with screws internally as Ken said. Cheers