I am tickled with this beautiful mailbox!  It's a nice solid weight and the slightly larger size is not too much visually.  (I think the relief work of the hummingbirds helps minimize it a bit.)  I choose classic black.  It is not shiny but more of a matte/ powder finish.  Love it!  The wooden block that came with it works fine.  It doesn't need to run the entire length of the mailbox.  It's the correct width, and the length is enough to secure the mailbox with the screws.  Worth the price to me!