Bookshelf was purchased because it fit well with some other Mission style furniture we had with a honey finish. Overall the design is pleasant and the construction is what you'd expect from a piece of furniture of this price. I had no problems with split wood pieces and was able to assemble the bookshelf in under 30 minutes alone. Because the bookshelf has open sides and back, don't plan on putting small things on the shelf you wouldn't feel comfortable falling off, accidents do happen and with the 'open' style of this shelf it is likely to happen at some point if things get bumped.