Grain orientation on nightstands top?

Well, from the second image it appears that the stand is narrower (side-to-side) that is is deep (back-to-front). While running the the long way often makes sense, you will then have end grain on the front, which I would generally try to avoid. I’d run the grain side to side. Just my 2cents.

-- Waylan Limberg, Warren PA

Personally, I’d have the top grain running side to side, I’m not found of looking at the end grain right in the front of the table. But, if you make the top spindles like the shelf, it really doesn’t matter. ;-)

-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

Eh, if you sand your endgrain enough, that shouldn’t matter as much, either! ;) Don’t need to sand it with a higher level of sandpaper – just need to sand it a bit more with the same level sand paper. Try it on a test piece – it works. I was able to get endgrain on santos rosewood to not be any darker than the long grain just by making sure I’d sanded the endgrain enough.

But that’s just me stirring the pot. I prefer the grain running side to side, too. :)

-- Ethan, http://thekiltedwoodworker.com

My choice would be side to side, I like the spindles on the bottom. Are you going to use white oak? Your other option could be to make it a bit shorter (what ever looks good) and run a board across the end grain. When I use walnut I like to use maple to add contrast but I dont know how that would look on oak or cherry if you use them.