The stool took a considerable amount of time to put together mainly because the directions are vague. It looks pretty but is not very comfortable with a curved back that sits at a 90 degree angle to the seat. The first time someone put their feet on the foot rail the vaneer chipped off to expose what looks like a some sort of plywood. Then I discovered the entire foot rail had loose vaneer. I don't think any of the wood is solid from the looks of it. For the price I paid, it was NOT a good deal.