Solid wood is expensive and it does have a lot of seasonal movement. I do some furniture building and there's something to be said for how workable MDF is. It

Solid wood is expensive and it does have a lot of seasonal movement. I do some furniture building and there's something to be said for how workable MDF is. It doesn't warp, it's dead simple to cut through, it's pretty light, and it's cheap. If it's used correctly, MDF is a fine material for furniture. The key to quality pieces with it seems to be in the finish. A piece that's primed, painted with high quality, durable paint, then sealed/lacquered will last a good long while.