I bought the end table and console table from this set, and both pieces are excellent. They are 100% solid wood, easy to assemble, and come well-packaged. The console table is quite heavy and fairly sturdy once assembled (machine-threaded hex bolts, and screw-in brackets for the middle shelf). I believe this table would look fine without the middle shelf, if desired – four small holes (maybe 3/16”) on the inside of the legs would be the only giveaway. The table came free of defects—each wooden piece has a quality-control stamp on it, which is nice to see. The wood is sanded smooth and essentially ready to finish; I have several natural parawood pieces in my house and think they look elegant as-is, but a light finish like pickling would accentuate their color and grain as well. It’s difficult to find attractive, solid-wood pieces that exceed this one’s quality and value.