I bought this looking for a nice looking piece of furniture to go in a fairly low traveled area (bedroom). So it didn't have to look like Thomasville but also didn't want it to look like Goodwill...Well, this was a success.LOOK: The piece is almost identical to the photo; it's just a wee bit lighter in normal artificial lighting. But don't be alarmed if your looking for a dark piece, this is it. The unit is dark brown-to-black with a very small hint of red. It doesn't look like fake or cheap wood and the grain and finish of the wood is very attractive and professional. The finish is not glossy, as you can somewhat tell from the product photo. So if you're looking for something so glossy it's reflective, as some people do, then this will not satisfy. But once again, the finish is very nice... just not a glossy one.MATERIAL: The majority of the stand is made up of what appears to be solid pieces of wood, which has a very nice grain. The side panels to the left and right of the front, and to the rear, are a finished particle board. Don't be alarmed here either. These side/rear panels are probably the nicest, most realistic, pieces I have ever seen. The side panels are almost impossible to identify unless up close under strong lighting, and even then it's not too easy. They even have the illusion of the presence of wood grains in the finish. Unlike some pieces, you cannot easily tell the particle from the wood.SIZE: This was a little disappointing, but not enough to lose a star. The piece is 36-inches in length from left-to-right. The depth is 15-inches from front-to-rear (top shelf). And the height is 19-inches from floor-to-top. The Length and depth are fine, with flat-screen TV's, depth isn't as important except for boxes, systems and receivers. There are two shelves where they would have to go and the measurements are slightly different. The bottom shelf (enclosed in pull down cover), has a depth of 12.5-inches and a height of 8-inches, with a .75-inch lip limiting actual entry height of about 7-inch and the cover folds down level to the shelf base. The top shelf (exposed) has a depth of 12.5 also and a height of 6-inches, also with about a .75-inch lip. Also the operation of the hinged cover on the bottom is perfect and silent.Now the height is the only 19-inch and that is not that tall. As a frame of reference, for the average 6ft person, that would only top out at the kneecap. If your putting a flat-screen, then the base of the TV should provide an additional 3-5 inch, depending on size and model. For a picture-tube, you're looking at only an additional inch or so. And if you're using it for a bedroom, as I am, it can be a slight inconvenience. My bed from floor to top of mattress is 26-inch, so laying flat and watching isn't an option unless you'll have it 4-5ft or more from end of bed.ASSEMBLY: Fairly easy, though you will need some tools, both medium and small phillips-head screw drivers as well as a small flat-head. One issue, which is most likely limited to my unit, was the assembly of the sides. As stated they are just particle board sheets, so the are slid in on tracks located on the top piece, back piece, and on each of the side arms. The track on the right side of the top piece did not line up with the back piece, and not due to incorrect assembly. And thanks to the high quality material of the board sheets, you cannot just force it to fit. The board sheets are very durable and not at all flexible. I had to trim a quarter-inch square section of the upper-rear corner of the sheet in order to fit the front piece on. You cannot tell since no light enters or escapes from the upper-right rear corner of the top shelf. I did not remove a star for this either since I'm sure it was most likely limited to my unitCAPACITY: I bought this due to a reviewer stating that it has a capacity of 250LBS... I cannot confirm that rating, as I did not see it anywhere in the booklets, they may have found that on the product website, which I haven't visited. However, I have a heavy TV, 90 LBS, and there is no give whatsoever on the top shelf and no creaking or shaking when placed on top, which says a lot, since the majority of a TV's weight is concentrating in the center of the stand or if you have a picture-tube, equally across the bottom. It is very light, but sturdy and the quality of wood should make it very durable over the years. I've had it for two months now and it is still very nice and no issues.PRICE: For the quality of the material and the finish on the wood and board sheets, this is truly a steal at just over one hundred dollars. If you have no issues with the height being only 19-inch, and cannot afford the high prices of local furniture stores, you cannot go wrong with this piece.Dimensions again in inches:UNIT: 36L x 19H x 15DepthTOP SHELF: 12.5Depth x 5-6H (due to lip)BOTTOM SHELF: 12.5Depth x 7-8H (due to lip)
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]