Thank you for your honest feedback — I completely understand your disappointment when the wood arrived looking different from what you expected based on the photos. The finish applied to the wood is what we call a "pre-finish" base coat — a very thin, light protective layer. Its purpose is to seal and protect the wood from moisture and warping during international shipping. Raw unfinished wood would be highly vulnerable to damage during long-distance transit. I realize now that we should have explained this clearly during our communication — that's our oversight, and I sincerely apologize for the confusion. The good news is — this is completely fixable: The current coating is intentionally thin and can be lightly sanded (we recommend 180–220 grit sandpaper) to create a clean surface. After sanding, the wood can be painted or stained in any colour or finish you prefer — exactly matching your original vision.