The color is just as described light around the top darker legs but there's highlights of dark wood on the top of the stool that blends nicely with the legs. I has been found them easy to assemble except for one stripped screw.  He's handy so he dealt with that. We did not contact the company for another screw. The height is perfect for countertop, they're quite firm and heavy. And they came with little buttons On the bottom of the legs so they slide across the tile floor nicely.