Good buy for the price. Durable looking hardwood with veneers (the rails could've been thicker than 0.75 in., but then I'd expect to pay $1,000 to $1,500 for it). Decent quality buffalo leather (the box said it was buffalo, I didn't ascertain this on my own, lol:-)...), which is a bit tougher than calfskin or lambskin, but then again it's a headboard, not a jacket so I guess that's to be expected. The leather is black, as described, and covers about 2 inches of firm cushioning; the back of the headboard is wood panel. It was easy for me to assemble with the tools provided and a helper holding the rails while I drove in the screws. My 16 inch mattress set [ including the 5 inch (low-profile) boxspring] comes up to about 2 inches above where the wood of the headboard begins (almost at the leather...about an inch below the leather). Of course you need a boxspring, as it is a low profile bed, meaning that the footboard is low so you can sit at the edge of the bed or stick your feet off the edge of your mattress when sleeping, not a platform bed, which would have a platform for your mattress and not require a boxspring. One could probably turn it into a platform bed with some lumber from a homestore or wooden slats, as the wooden lip of the rail is about 1.25 in. wide.However, if the mattress is not tall enough, then it will not reach the headboard and there would be a space between them. My only disappointment was the color. From the picture and merlot description, I was expecting a cherry or mahogany (reddish brown), however, the color is more of an espresso (dark brown). I hope my review helps!