My brother and I bought this as a gift for our mother who was eyeing my sleeper ottoman over the Thanksgiving holiday and wanted one to replace her coffee table. Since she didn't need a sleeper, we chose this one. It arrived ready to assemble. The wrench provided could stand improvement, but it was otherwise easy to put together. I was able assemble it and place it in her living room within 25 minutes. The brown is almost black as others have mentioned. The legs are sturdy and have a contemporary feel. The ottoman is stylish and comfortable. It is a nice addition to a transitional style living or family room