Love this rug!  Well made and soft to the touch.  It is a loop weave so no problem with shedding at all. The background color is a nice off-white. I gave it four stars only because the pattern color is more of a blue-gray than it shows in the photo image, but still very neutral and goes well with my Agreeable Gray wall color.  It definitely needs a rug pad for added thickness and to prevent slipping on hardwood floors. It did have an odor for several days but I opened the windows to let it air out and it is fine now.  I've already received lots of "oohs and aahs" from friends when they walk in and see it.