I have been asked by a friend if I could make three of something similar to below...
She would like to stain them grey to match her gates. What would you make them from and finish them with?
For longevity I'd use European/English Oak which untreated will in time weather to a silver grey. But if the colour wanted is that on the left of the picture it looks green on my monitor and painted.
Couldn't use one of those where I live. They'd take the box'n all! This is by no means a 'crime-heavy' area, but the drunks from the pub next door have a warped sensa 'umour
For a rustic look that will go a nice grey out of doors my choice would have been cedar. left untreated it ages grey and also resists rot wonderfully. A bit soft , but nobody is going to be sitting on it will they.