I was a bit reluctant to buy this island. We repainted  our kitchen  cabinets white and I wanted a contrasting black island. I was worried this would look cheap. It totally completes my kitchen-looks high end-like it was always there! It did smell alittle but that went away quickly. The butcher block was alittle too light so I sanded that down and made it darker by staining it. Love, love, love it!!!!!