apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I purchased a table, 2 chairs and two benches in January at From the Source. I had a long talk with a salesman about that very problem and he assured me that the manner in which the furniture is put together allows for small expansion and compression of the wood. The table and benches still look perfect. However, one chair is cracking a bit where two of the pieces of wood meet...

I purchased this exact chair a few years ago from Kosmos Designs in Alexandria, Virginia. I think I paid more than $285, but on the positive side, it has held up marvelously.

Does it usually come unfinished? I don't like the finish shown on the top chair at all.