Unfortunately, the bookcase arrived with a damaged shelf and damage to the wood of two of the connecting rods. Wayfair was fantastic in supplying a completely new replacement For me, what looked to be a gold, elegant finish was a dirty light brow. So I painted it and it looks wonderful. The bookcase is made of a very solid pine and will hold heavy books. It is well-designed. The connecting rods screw into one another easily and assembly is quite simple.