A quick suggestion if I may-Home Depot carries a 3/4 maple plywood here at $56.00/sheet. It is what they call paint grade, and yet it looks quite nice stained as well. As far as stain, I would recommend an oil based transparent, or preferably even an alchol base-tends to absorb to maple or birch quite well.
As far as mouldings-your'e right. They got you by the ..... there. It adds up quick. Maybe primed pine? Would have to paint to contrast the woodgrain finish, but it is a more affordable alt. if you don't want MDF
Robert.
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