I love love love this bookshelf! Fell in love when I saw it. Between the simple, modern design with the ladder sides, cross back and mix of black and brown, this was 100% perfect for my decor in my apartment. Great size, easy to put together, good quality, lightweight, and great price! Bonus (for me at least, possibly a warning for others), the black ladder sides are not a black "wood" but a shiny black metal. I thought the shiny added a nice contrast. I'm sure y'all are aware as well that the brown shelves are not real wood, but that light weight stuff that looks like wood. But, who's going to be analyzing your shelves? Not me. It looks perfect, and you're going to be filling it anyway! Hope this helps!