Hickory Blanket Chest

I promised my step daughter a blanket chest. It was going to be a birthday present, I'm hoping to make Christmas. I've looked at different plans, as well as some gorgeous pictures of some made by members of this community.

I've come accross some laminated hickory. Some of the boards are close to 1.5 thick by 12 inches wide. They were steps, or risers (?). I also have two five foot sections of 30 inch wide close to an inch thick material which is rougher and somewhat rustic.

I was thinking of possibly laminating some of the steps material and making four posts or legs, and from that material making some frames, I believe they call them "stick & cope", basically grooved stiles and rails where I would slide raised (on the table saw <straight>) panels of the other material (rustic/rough) hickory.

I'm thinking of using a darker stain on the stiles and rails than on the panels. Of all the things I haven't settled on, the lid is definitely the main one. I plan to line the inside with aromatic red cedar sold at big box for closets.

Now some questions to any who may want to share some ideas,

How can I join the frames (stile/rail assemblies) to the legs/posts? Will pocket holes work?
Is hickory truly as unruly as I've read on some articles on line?
What about attaching a bottom? Plywood in a rabbet? Dado?
Might the two tone stain work?
Do I carry the panels motif to the lid or simply frame some of the laminated rough hickory?
The wood is heavy, what dimensions will make something that won't pop a couple hernias?

So far I've made a few jigs I use in my minimalistic shop, odds and ends for the house and a small humidor for a friend. This will be my largest to date project, fortunately got a good deal on the wood so won't have to slash the wrists should it end in the smoker.

Thanks everyone for your time and input, Mario