My DH really likes the idea of a built-in bench along the shorter side of our deck, with a high back-rest to form the railing. But I'm getting cold feet. I'm worried about an uncomfortable built-in mistake. So please tell me how you like yours!

I'd love photographs of your benches and hear what you love ... and what you don't. Since the goal is to USE IT, please write about comfort as well as style!

Here are the specific questions we need to answer (asap, of course):

- the profile of the back (height / angle of any lumbar support vs. rest of backrest?)

- the profile of the seat (curved a bit front to back, or simply a bit sloped?)

- how deep a seat, (I'm 5'3", my DH 6'0" ... and I may need a cushion)

- how the bench should attach to the deck

And, I worry about aesthetics:

- how to make it fit, given that the other sides of the deck will have a cable railing (with redwood posts and a continuous top-rail)

- We'll also have benches without backrests along the sides of a lower deck (28" of the ground), so need a style that works for both.

I really look forward to learning from all of you!!