Smooth wood but still has a rustic feel! I've been wanting a ladder that has legs further apart at the bottom of the ladder and closer at the top and this has that perfect look. I put this in my family room; I had been looking for a ladder for weeks to have blankets hanging on the legs, but every ladder I would find would have a true rustic feel to it and the wood wouldn't be sanded down so my knit  blankets would be ruined. Then I finally found this one! Has the perfect color and it's even more beautiful in person!