This Homeology CALISTA Computer Desk is actually solidly made and quite hefty with a faux-Walnut finish and black metal 'industrial' style fittings. It arrives very cleverly and carefully packed with the components surrounded with polystyrene inserts (eco-nightmare but they keep it safe) and barely a drop of empty space left inside the box. They say it will take an hour to assemble but it's relatively straightforward and the pictorial manual walks you through it step by step so you'll probably do it in less.
The walnut effect is actually pretty realistic with a warm dark colour, you can see it's not real wood because it's too flat looking and the grain patterns repeat but it's better than many faux-wood effects. On the back of the base unit, behind the drawer and cupboard, there are d�cor panels also finished with the same wood effect so the desk looks good from behind too and could be situated anywhere in a room. The main d�cor panel on the back also has two cut-out holes so you can feed cables in or out of the cupboard if you want.
Each of the structural pieces is formed from 15mm board which feels heavy enough to be MDF but you don't see the core because each piece is completely covered with what appears to be walnut laminate. I don't think it's a foil-wrap because it feels tougher than that and the edges of each piece are very clean and sharp. That's my only real criticism of the unit - the corners of pieces like the top, the cupboard door or drawer front are really pointed and sharp and if you scrape your leg or arm against them you'll really know about it. Difficult to recommend the unit for the use by very young children for that reason though older kids would probably love it as a laptop or homework desk.
Ironically maybe the steel metal pieces are all better finished with smoother edges and corners than the wood pieces are and they've all got a decent weight and substance. The completed desk feels very stable and sturdy and has a cool industrial look. You can assemble it with the leg and base unit either way round, right handed or left handed, and when done most of the screws and bolts are hidden from view. The proportions mean it sits neatly against a wall without extending too far into a room and it's perfect for using with a laptop but a bit shallow, front to back, for a desktop PC with a freestanding monitor. I've already got a TV unit from Homeology and it's equally sturdy and solidly made but it's got a lacquered finish and has nicely bevelled edges and corners, I just wish this one did too.