Do you have another pic with a different lighting? The way the sun throws shadows in this pic it seem ok on the wood.

Actually mate, thats not bad at all. I kind of like it.

I think I might add it anyway with all the time spent and if people dont like the way it looks they just don't have to build it. I am still messing with it for some reason to see if i can figure it out. I hate puzzles left unfinished ;)

could you just make the block itself a lighter color then roll with it? xD

that... actually doesn't look terrible its just a tad bit dark