TMS 24" Indoor Ladder Back Counter Stool with Rush Seat, Set of 2, Oak

I was skeptical. Rubber wood from Malaysia? In a box for DIY assembly? There were enough positive reviews to take the plunge. I ordered two (come in pairs). Arrived within a few days. Absolutely no issues with packing; no rubbed-off paint. Nice finish. Instructions were straightforward. Initial assembly steps were easy. Side rails are attached to front leg assembly using bolts, washers, and hex wrench supplied. Next, insert stretchers in place and repeat bolt-and-washer assembly to attach rear leg/back assembly. Snugging up all the bolts with the hex wrench was easy. The next step was the most challenging: screwing the stretchers to the legs. I put an old blanket on the kitchen table and inverted the chair to do this. Driving in the screws took a considerable amount of muscle and just the right Phillips head screwdriver. The angle at which they go in makes it a bit awkward. When I initially could not drive the screws in all the way, I removed them, coated the threads with candle wax, and ran them in the rest of the way. Still a very tough job. Afterward, attaching the seat with three screws was easy. There are cheap, nail-on, hard plastic feet on the the bottom of the legs. I was worried that these would scratch our wood floor, so I pried them off and attached felt pads instead. The natural rush (twisted seagrass or cattail) gives these a pleasant, classic look. The rush may shed a few bits here and there. I have read that these sorts of seats should be coated with shellac to help preserve them. I don't believe these woven seats have any protective finish. These stools are quite sturdy, comfortable, and nice looking. I was so pleased with the quality, that I immediately ordered another pair.