Ok, nearly there. I am indebted to Ilyas Metal Works for letting me try out a few ideas here.
Built a workbench out of scraps hiding around IMW. The metal frame was a wrongly ordered cabinet for a restaurant but rightly discarded for me. The timber comes from a 9m piece which used to work as a mount for a gigantic awning. All the metal spark showers it has been taking contributed to its gorgeous looks.
Needs drawers next.