I absolutely love this crib, especially the ease of transition from baby to toddler to a growing child.  The black is not a plain black it is a rubbed black finish which is beautiful.  We don't have to worry about the scratching that may happen in the future because it will blend in with the natural rubbed finish.  Everything came with the crib no missing pieces and went together very easy.  Especially for the father to be that is not very inclined to put things together right.