These are very solid stools. I purchased the counter height (shorter) ones. They are narrow and great for my kids to sit at the counter because they cannot tip them over and they can climb up easily on the sturdy rungs. The assembly is easy (top wooden seat attaches to solid metal bottom). The wood finish is nice and true to the image-it is real solid wood and not a laminate or veneer. The edges of the chairs are not very rounded so they are not something you would sit in for a very long time, but fine for a meal.