I needed a nice looking cutting board for my kitchen counter and bought this based on the reviews and the price.  I would say that it's very nice looking and goes well and I received one that looks about like the photo.  When people described the "live" edge they made it sound absolutely gorgeous.  I have seen beautiful "live" edges and I feel that this has more of a "processed" look to it.  I agree with a more recent reviewer that overall it was thinner than expected and it seems that it is surface stained so every knife cut really shows more than a normal butcher block type cutting board.  it is beautiful to look at and I wanted it for mixed use....some cutting and also a place to put things wet & hot things down while cooking.  It functions fine for that and it is a cutting board so I'm OK with knife marks.  But because this is not as substantial as the ratings would make you think, I only can give it 4 stars. (It would probably by 3.5 stars if I could do that).