Once assembled there is very obvious visible particle board along the side of the desk that is light in color. In the representative photos I think they stained it the same color brown to disguise it. Peeling off the stickers with the letters for assembly causes the finish to be ripped off, too. So now I have some prominent spots where the finish is gone. Overall I am pretty sad because I love the style of the desk overall but will need to get a wood colored furniture marker to fix these areas.