Love the look of this light. The sides are a soft black - I thought they were more brownish but now I realize it is the light reflecting off the sides in the picture that makes it look brown. Score for me - I wanted black! Also, we are mounting it on the chain (instead of flush-mount) and the dish thing above the light DOES come off. There is a nut that can be loosened and my husband was able to gently twist it off. Score again!