We wanted an island that looked good, provided extra storage, and didn't break the bank . . . and this one delivers those things. The look is perfect for our kitchen--clean lines, great height, lots of storage. The wood is good quality in the places that matter most, and I think the quality still exceeds the price point. The instructions are far from clear, but we figured it out. Now, the towel rod and knife storage? I can't imagine anyone I know using the knife part ("Here kids, grab a knife! Better yet, accidentally stand up into one while picking up your errant soccer ball!"), but it's nice to have another place to hang a towel while preparing foods.

Pros: Great value, great storage, great height for workspace
Cons: Somewhat tricky assembly, useless knife storage