That's how I build my bookcases! People think I assembled them from a kit or something. But I bought the lumber, sawed it as needed, and screwed them together according to the designs that I made up. And then I sanded and stained them.
It's beautiful! And not just because I have a penchant for red stains.
My workbench top and equipment shelves all have a hardwood edge stained red (the rest is natural) - serves as a "edge of surface" warning out of the corner of your eye, etc.
@cazabon That sounds great! My bookcases are pine, but the design I created keeps them from ever sagging.