It's a very pretty bench. It looks just like the picture. Took two of us about half an hour to put it together. I don't know how you'd do it by yourself. The only issue is that it really is for short(er) people. It's a shallow seat and though it doesn't look it, it's a little low to the ground. It's not particularly comfortable, so we're going to have to get a cushion if we use it for seating and not just decorative purposes. (And based on other comments that I read here, I just bought a clear spray to use on it to ward off rust.) I'm glad we got it.  :)