James - thanks! Originally I had thought make it all from cherry but then decided that was wasting the cherry as much of the base would be under the furniture. I had left over black paint from another project and that worked out nicely with the plywood base!
Bentlyj -thanks! Was happy with the outcome. Of course, always cautioning my husband to "be careful" to use a coaster or to not leave items on the top that might mess up the cherry 😏