Very pretty shelves! The wood is real pine--you can even smell it! The color is just what I was looking for, a nice medium brown. Shelves are finished, so I can keep my plants on them. I wouldn't put anything too too heavy on them, but that's because the anchors that come with them are plastic. If you're looking to have them ultra secure and not just to feature decor, I would recommend buying your own wall anchors and hardware. Overall, though, I am very happy with this purchase!