I for another would not use MDF.
I would use any other solid wood and just shellac it to leave the grain and/or color show through. Even soft pine has an interesting grain at times and variations in the color.
Sometimes if you use two different colored woods together in the right way, the project seems to look better than painting MDF. Not to mention the dust problems with MDF.
Also, if you have a pattern with FORTY THREE pages and very detailed instructions what other advice could any of us give you that would help? Even I don't make tutorials 43 pages long even if it seems "over done" to many other people.
Rog