I did a lot of research before buying this....so i thought I'd pay it forward since I read every review out there....  Great news is that this media center is exactly as they promise.  It looks just like the picture (I got the charcoal weathered gray).  It was also reasonably priced (no it's not real wood - in case you didn't figure that one out).  I read the reviews saying that assembly was tough and I'm proud to say that it wasn't crazy although my handy husband was the one doing all the hard work.  It took him probably two hours - but got everything done mostly himself although at a couple points he wanted me to help him level things out.  I'm overall really happy.  Still trying to figure out the best way to clean it since I am getting fingerprints.  But otherwise - very happy with the purchase.