This beautiful shelf is a solid piece of furniture.  It's exactly what I wanted and would look great in many different decorating situations.  Removing a star was only because of the assembly process.  Once we figured out the "instructions," it was not that difficult, but "instructions" is in quotes for a reason--most of them are very poorly drawn pictures.  Because I had just completed a much larger shelf by myself with a very specific packet of 7 or 8 pages of instructions, when I looked at those pictures, I was lost and had to call on my husband for assistance.  Between the two of us, we figured out what to do and had it together in about an hour.  It might have been clearer on the computer screen, but I didn't have mine with me at the time.  It's a great shelf, but prepare for those pictures!!