The frame pieces came in a long, narrow box--so yes, "some" assembly required. But the directions and predrilling are all good, and the frame goes together in short time. It is sturdy, but I wouldn't call it "natural" finish. Ours is pretty much  unfinished. Despite another Q&A stating the frame can't be stained or finished, I will experiment rubbing some varnish or finish material on the raw wood. We like that this studio frame doesn't have arms which take up more space and aren't needed. It does sit lower to the ground than standard furniture, but I love the feel as I'm on the short side and my feet meet the ground. We ordered a thick fiber fill mattress. The futon is much easier to open and close and move around than the larger full size futon we moved to a different room and required a frustrating amount of energy to move away from the wall and open or close.