It wasn't what I was expecting.  From the picture I thought it had both horizontal and vertical slats (the vertical slats I thought I saw were evidently the wall paper behind the bed).  I also thought it was going to be more gray than it is, at times mine looks more brown than gray.  The third thing I noted is that they only stained  half of the rear side of the headboard.  Despite all of the above,  I really do love the headboard.  It is very substantial and rustic looking and goes nicely in my bedroom in both its gray and its brown mode.  I wish it also had the vertical slats.....but it looks great anyway and who sees the back !!  Almost forgot......the delivery was great.