I love the look of this crate . but it is very hard to put together , The wood is beautiful . and the look is also . but it is not as solid as you think it would be , it wobbles when you move it or bump it . I have bungee cords holding it still until I can get some L Brackets.Get rid of the Bastion post and barrel they don't make the unit strong enough . I would recommend it If you have put it togeather before. and they need to IMPROVE ON THE INSTRUCTION AND THE HARD WARE IS THE WORST . and they don't give you extra anything so when the heads of the screws get strip and you cant get them out . or in . what a mess. and to buy good screws. the holes are pre drilled but you have to drill them again . I wanted to get another one but not at that price and with all the head ach it gives you. :They need hardware that a fine furniture store would use .Beautiful to look at but waiting for it to fall apart the top does help a little to keep it from wobbing .

The best price on this product available at the time of pruchase. Was a little concerned with some reviews about the assembly of the island being difficult, but it proved to be fun and a timely project. The parts are not numbered and must be identified from the assembly instructions. We found an easy way to do this by copying the page with the pictured parts, and then cutting them apart and taping them to each piece. Worked very well. Did have an issue in that there was only one set of doors, but a call to the customer service at Catskill Craftsmen was pleasant and productive. Excellent service.

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? Very nice natural oiled finish true to the pictured product.
• Please tell us about the quality of the product. Great quality
• How accurate was the on site description of the product? Very good and accurate description of the island.

finished product looks great and is very solid.however, very difficult to put together. product was worth it and looks great with lots of storage space.

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? good
• Please tell us about the quality of the product. very good
• How accurate was the on site description of the product? accurate

I would recommend this product. The materials were first rate, the pre drilled holes, and pre cut dimensions werwe very accurate. The assembly was a bit daunting at first, but sticking to the instructions soon paid off. A high quality product and made in the USA with local materials. Win ,Win

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? very close
• Please tell us about the quality of the product. terrific
• How accurate was the on site description of the product? very

After searching for a kitchen island for a couple of weeks, I decided on the Catskill Craftsmen Empire Island. I was fully prepared after reading the buyers' feedback, so there were no surprises for me: yes, the wood color does vary from very light to medium dark so there is no uniform look to the piece. Yes, the work surfaces were "fuzzy" on arrival. Yes, it takes a while to assemble and it is not for a faint of heart. Yes, there are only two wheels that lock. But after reading the Q&A on Catskill website, here is what I did: 1. Before starting the assembly, I read the directions, laid out the parts and marked them with the sticky notes. 2. To even up the color of the island, I used Danish Oil (needs at least 2 to 3 applications to get the plywood pieces to look better, and boy does it smell! Be sure to air out the room after every application). 3. Took care of the "fuzz" with fine sandpaper block and used mineral oil with wax to condition the work surfaces (apply warm and do it twice). The result is just wonderful. 4. Placed the locking wheels diagonally from each other - it makes the island less prone to move. Now that I have been using the island for a few weeks, I just love it! The construction is very solid and the pieces fit together like a glove. The sliders operate very smoothly and feel sturdy. The space inside is very generous keeping my oversized pots, pans and bowls easilty accessible and well organized. The drawer is deep and wide, so I bought a couple of bamboo dividers to keep things well arranged. The handles are solid and double as kitchen towel holders - a great help in my kitchen. This is not a cheap buy, but is a great value for the money. It is made in the US, and it makes me feel good that I can support American manufacturer for a change.

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? Very close
• Please tell us about the quality of the product. Except for a couple of "veneers" (read "plywood"), this is a very solid and beautifully crafted peace.
• How accurate was the on site description of the product? Quite accurate

This is a very well built Island. This is the first time I put something together that I did not have to worry about stripping out the screws. I was able to actually tighten them. The instructions have a little to be desired. Once you figure out the first diagram you got it made. I followed the advice of another reviewer and made a copy of the list of parts and then cut out the separate parts and taped them to the appropriate pieces. That way I knew I had every thing before I started and when the time came that I needed the part it was very easy to find. Everything was included in the packaging. I had been looking at this very Island for a couple of years trying to decide if it was worth it. With the free shipping and 10% off I finally took a chance and I am impressed and wish I would have went ahead sooner. No Regrets

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? Natural wood can be stained to any color
• Please tell us about the quality of the product. Very good quality
• How accurate was the on site description of the product? very accurate

2 of the 4 doors were missing, company was great and sent out new ones immediately. assembly with 2 people took hours, but there is a lot going on with this island. I think title is deceptive - you are purchasing a KIT to build an island, not an actual island.

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? Well
• Please tell us about the quality of the product. beautiful solid wood - some pieces needed sanding
• How accurate was the on site description of the product? fine