Update: I picked pine over oak for a built-in bookshelf and I regret it
Client in Dallas wanted painted shelves so I went with pine to save them around $400 on material. Six months later the thing has more dents than a golf ball because the kids slam stuff on it, and I'm back out there patching with wood filler. Anyone else swear off softwoods for high traffic built-ins, or do you just sell them on the dents being character?