The Akron bookcase looks like it does in the photo, for the most part; dark metal frame, stained wood shelving. The attribute of the unit that isn't visible in the photo is its extraordinarily flimsy feel. All but one of the wood shelves are unexpectedly light, and I don't feel to brave testing their load as they are only supported at either end. The frame itself is also a weak feeling metal, and it can bend after one too many hex-key rotations. On my unit, the frame of the top and bottom part seem to stand at slightly different angles, and so the shelf looks skewed when viewed head on.