These chairs are handsome, with a subtle distressed finish and nice grain on the seats. The bowed "rungs" of the backs give them a graceful look, and they would work in many different decors. They are extremely sturdy, too. My partner said they assembled easily; it took him about an hour to do six. I was considering some Crate and Barrel ladderback chairs that were twice the price and not nearly as nice--very glad I went with these instead!