Aesthetically it matches the photos, we got the golden oak and it is a more muted color in person, which we were hoping for, not orangey like some oaks can be. The directions were not the best, lacking in clear steps, details and the images overlap so many steps it can be confusing. You don’t have to be a genius for this, but I suggest you do this at your most awake and patient. I also had to drill most of the pilot holes for the backing, only 2 were pre-drilled. It can be assembled by one person.