The velvet is lovely - haven't seen anything like it!  It does take some time to assemble and can be easily damaged in the process - so be careful!  Overall a great value for a luxurious-looking bed.  A few notes which did affect my rating:  this product is made in China and the measurements are incorrect.  The bed is longer than the dimensions reported on the website by 2-3 inches which can make a big difference in a small room.  I recommend it for the overall quality despite the minor issues.