This is a very nice piece in both appearance and functionality.  We love it very much.  The assembly instructions are very clear and easy to follow.  It took two of us less than an hour to assemble.  The towel bar and shelf on the side are optional.  If you choose not to install them, there will be small screw holes visible though.  You might be able to cover the holes using some white tape or paint pastes.  My only complaint is the quality of the stainless steel counter top.  The stainless steel countertop was one of the reasons why I picked this item but the quality of the stainless steel doesn't meet my expectation.  However, it is still a nice kitchen island and we are happy with this purchase.