All the traditional joinery you would expect in a solid wood piece like this: tongue-and-grooved lid (two pieces seamed down the middle), slotted lid battens to keep the lid flat and allow seasonal wood movement, dovetailed corners on the main box, and a bottom trim frame that is mortised and tenoned. The wood is German steamed beech. The legs are heavy cast iron, and were blackened and waxed for an "aged" effect. The ottoman also serves as a place to store magazines; the lid can also be used as a lap desk (the battens keep it in place).