Although it's particle board the island looks and feels solid. The cherry wood matched my existing cabinets.  There was a review in 2012 that mentioned an error in the instructions that directs you to use the #5 screws instead of the #15 screws-- it has not been corrected!  This will cause you to only have short screws available when completing the final step, the drawers. I found larger screws to use since the drawers will get the most use.