I was worried about buying a metal bed because I would see them in stores or friends' houses and they always seemed like cheap metal with hollow sound.  This bed is neither.  The color I would call deep pewter with gold highlights - it is not dark enough to say it is black.  The bed came in three large parcels and could have been intimidating but it was well packaged and easy to assemble.  It would have been difficult without an extra set of hands to hold rails in place - I had no problem with just my 10 year old son helping and braced the headboard against one wall.  The only thing I would point out that could be a negative is the bed is longer than any I have had  so you need to make sure you have the extra inches of space.  It is nice though to make the bed with the gaps between the mattress and head/foot boards and not bunch up the comforter.