For the money these lamps are a good bargain and look great.  The wood is fake / plastic, but like that facelift your mother-in-law got, it looks good from a distance.  You call tell the wood is fake only when you get up close or touch it.  They are true to the picture and unlike some of the other comments about the lamp shades being an off white, I have these lamps on furniture that is pure white and the shades look as white as the furniture.