A great piece of work. I don't know arts and crafts well, but it looks like the style picks up some art nouveau influences.The naturalistic curves contrast nicely with the solid rectangles.

I can't imagine doing that by "seat of the pants." I draw up my own plans, and I modify them along the way, but I need to have them fully detailed before I cut wood. If that's what you call "southern field engineering," I'd settle for that any time.

What's in the back panel with the knob? Where do the wire runs go? You said they are hidden, but you can show us can't you?