The packaging of the lamp was stellar, the assembly literally took 5 mins . I brought the package into my kitchen opened the box and put it together while I was cooking dinner. Yes that easy. The shade itself is not a bright white or even off white, more of a light tan , the color of the lamp itself is definitely an expresso . I am redesigning my whole house from the comfort of my couch  have researched many different sites . Wayfair products have been spot , the descriptions are very accurate. This lamp is a understated piece for accent lighting and I could not be happier.