....Would you change a design from a drawing?.....
Indeed I would, Steve, but having said that, I'd add that a lot would depend upon my knowledge of the customer. The drawing that you were given is very basic and does not indicate advanced design or sketching skills, which would suggest to me that the customer got the basics of an idea, but would be happy for you to put a bit of professional flair into it. What I find difficult is when you get very precisely detailed drawings - that tends to suggest that the customer knew exactly what he wanted and was able to portray that; in which case, altering their wishes would best be done with consultation. It certainly worked this time!
I must admit that I didn't think that this was a piece of yew....the colour is very muted and the growth rings quite wide apart, suggesting a much quicker growing wood, but I'm happy to be proved wrong.
Les