Dark stain is applied poorly. I am very disappointed in the way the wood looks. First, the wrong shelves were sent. Customer service was very helpful. Then, when the correct shelves came, one set of brackets were covered in rust and one of the 24" shelves was all scratched up.  Again, customer service was kind, caring, and helpful. New brackets and shelf would shipped to me. But, the truth is all the shelves sent with the dark wood stain are a disappointment. The stains are so sloppy looking and unevenly applied that I wished I'd never ordered them. They are ugly. Today, the replacement shelf arrived. They mistakenly sent out the wrong color. The lighter walnut finish that they sent by mistake is nicer, with a more even look. But of course it doesn't match the original 2 sets of shelves I purchases. These shelves were not inexpensive. I expected better.