That's an interesting point about the cherry darkening. I made a cherry end table about seven months ago. The cherry in the end table and this table are from the same tree and were finished in the same way. I am amazed at how much darker and richer the end table already is, even though it gets very little direct sunlight.
beautiful table! I haven't been brave enough to try the cabriole legs yet, but would like to some time. you should put some of those "mysterious" blocks in every project somewhere and make it your signature