Building a new rack.... any ideas?

[Linds]

OK...building a new rack, but there is no way I'm doing the melamine thing. Learned my lesson the hard way. I've decided my best bet is too use plywoood and seal it very well, since I need something *strong*. I would've preferred to use a solid wood but it would bow under the design for sure. Now the thing I haven't figured out is how I am going to heat this beast...lol I cannot heat the whole back since that wouldn't create much of a gradient, so I figured maybe I could put one strip of 11" heat tape on left side, and another on the back (left side) and maybe make a "hot corner"??? If anyone else has any other heating ideas, or also how I could improve the appearance of this rack it would be greatly appreciated (plywood - especially exterior grade crap- isn't exactly for showpieces ). TY!