I was initially hesitant about buying a bed online, sight unseen, however I'm so happy I did. I assembled it by myself in about 45 minutes, although I do think it would have been easier/more efficient with two people. The finish is shiny, as others have mentioned, but I don't find it obnoxious. I recommend using a drill to screw the slats to the frame; hand-turning 30+ screws would get old really quickly. Overall it feels sturdy and looks great.