I haven't put this together yet, so I can't say if it works/assembles well or not (though it seems like good quality, sturdy, real wood), but the color is definitely MUCH darker than what's pictured here. I would not call it gray at all. It's a dark, matte, distressed brown color. I need it for a party asap, or I'd probably just go ahead and return it.

Update: It went together quickly and easily, and is very sturdy. And once I got it out into the sunlight, it did look a little bit lighter!