Winsome Wood Shelf, Espresso

We're a family of bookworms who've had to get creative about adding linear feet of shelving. We also love oversize hardbound books and folios, so we need sturdy storage. A few months ago, I found these low-rise units on Amazon and realized they would fit in some unused space under a picture window. I ordered a single unit as kind of a test run to see how I liked the shelf in person -color, stability, durability.

That shelf rated a solid six stars. I easily assembled it solo (instructions call for two-person assembly); the wood pieces were true and of reassuring heft, so I was able to put heavy books on both lower shelves and smaller items surrounded by movable decorative bookends on the top shelf (you could easily leave it bare or put collectibles there).

Unfortunately, the second piece I ordered had flaws in terms of the coloring of the finish. Because two of the three shelves and both of the rear rails are reversible, I was able to minimize the visual impact. I'm using these as bookshelves, the color issue is not a problem, but I wanted to note it for those who may be considering leaving most of the wood visible. Winsome's basket sets certainly would cover any areas and are designed to work with this line of shelves.

After a vigorous internal debate, as hinted at by the title of this review, I've given this shelf four stars. For me, the positives outweigh the negatives. It's sturdy, it's solid wood, I love the espresso tone, and it's a good value. As of this writing in May 2009, this product is sorted into the "bathroom" category and it does seem as though it would handle the humidity. However, to my mind it is well suited for a bedroom, living room or home office.

I needed an additional bookcase in my bedroom and didn't want anything too big...or too expensive. I was a little worried ordering this as some of this manufacturer's pieces weren't reviewed too well (pieces scratched, didn't fit, etc.)

It arrived and I immediately opened it to make sure it was okay. No problems. Well, a tiny scratch on the back side of the top shelf...not a big deal since this will sit against the wall. I put it together by myself in about 25 minutes. I did go the extra step of putting some wood glue (not included, but even white glue will work) on the dowel pieces and on the little caps that cover the screws (it comes with 12 screws, and Allen wrench, and the little wooden caps that cover the holes.)

It looks very nice. The top doesn't sit perfectly on the sides, the middle of the side pieces are just slightly larger than the ends so the top has tiny gaps under it in the front and back. It could have been more flush, but it isn't fine furniture...and the gaps are really only noticeable when you look at it straight on from low in the front...and they are small...less than 16th of an inch. I wasn't sanding or planing for that small of an amount.

It feels very study and is already full with books. I sort of wish I picked one with adjustable shelves, but choose this because it was made of wood, not particleboard and plastic laminate. I really like it.

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I put it together alone in about 20 minutes. It seems well made and durable. It's attractive. What more can you ask of a basic, cheap bookshelf?

I like that it has rails behind the shelves, to help the books stay on, as my books like to slide off the back of open shelves.

Note that this is not foldable and not stackable. I knew this when I ordered, but many other items that compete with it are so I thought I'd mention.

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The wood, instead of being the glossy espresso that I was hoping for, is not that glossy and has different tones of espresso throughout. Probably not noticeable much unless you're up close to it. Also, with the shipping charge, it's pretty pricey for what I think is lower-quality furniture. Oh, and one of the flush that hides the holes where the screwes go in was missing in my shipment. Not a big deal for most, but it's kinda annoying. I paid for that little piece of wood!

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The unit arrived on time, in great shape. When I opened the box I found all the parts wrapped in heavy weight paper protective covering and bound together with a strap to prevent individual parts from moving around and chaffing or otherwise marring the finish.

Assemble instructions say two people needed...maybe for a much larger shelf unit, but I doubt it. This unit on assemble scale of 1 5 is a 1-1.5 MAX!...as for being solid when assembled...that's a 5+...This baby isn't going anywhere...

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