FIRST OFF I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS FIREPLACE HAS BAD REVIEWS. IT IS ELECTRIC ONLY. BLOWS HEAT ...OR NO HEAT JUST THE LIGHTS. IT IS A TEXTURED DARK WOOD AND BLACK GRAINED WOOD MOST OF WHICH IS REAL WOOD. THE SHELVES ARE PARTICAL BOARD BUT I BOUGHT IT FOR THE FIREPLACE NOT THE SHELVING. THIS IS THE ONLY ONE I COULD FIND WITH THE RAILROAD TIES AND WOOD THAT ACTUALLY HAVE THE VINTAGE FEEL. ITS NOT TINY BUT NOT TOO BULKY EITHER. NO STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS IN WRITING JUST PICTURES. TEDIOUS BUT HAVE SOME PATIENCE AND YOU WILL BE FINE PUTTING IT TOGETHER. BEST TO HAVE 2 PEOPLE DOING IT. LOVE IT AND WOULD PURCHASE AGAIN. GLAD I DIDNT LISTEN TO THE BAD REVIEWS.