The color is exactly as shown- definitely more of a cooler tone than most rugs like this (which is nice because they tend to be very "yellowy").  However, it has a lot more variation than shown- almost like brownish "streaks".  I'm not  crazy about that fact but the price is right so I can deal with it.  Lies totally flat as soon as you roll it out.  Has a bit of a chemical smell but it dissipates quickly.