We bought this because we needed more counter space, and it is giving us that based on the butcher block top and by letting us store some of the stuff that had been on our counter in it, but I have to really disagree with the color. It's more of a cherry  than espresso which is really disappointing because it doesn't match our espresso cabinets all that well. The top is varnished, and I expected it to be natural, as every other butcher block I've purchased is. It does actually have a 'chemical smell when you open a drawer or door. Maybe that will go away, but the description says "no chemical smell." And the shelves on the inside are held in with plastic pegs that have a flat surface to them... they don't stay in place very well when moving things round, and I'm afraid to put anything very heavy on those shelves for fear of the plastic snapping. It is a nice size, butI wish I would've looked for a kitchen island a little longer before purchasing this one.