This couch was just the update my living room needed!  It was delivered on the exact projected date by friendly and courteous drivers.  Please note it is HEAVY!  Thankfully we didn't have to move it far at all.  The velvet is a very low, soft pile and I would say the gray is a touch lighter than the photo.  The back is also very low so this isn't a couch where you can just flop down and sink back. My husband is 6'2 and finds it uncomfortable for his back. I am 5'3 and it's fine for me with a toss pillow.  Without a pillow, my feet don't touch the floor if I sit all the way back.  We also have two young boys and three cats... none of them are currently allowed to sit on it!   So if you are looking for a family/pet-friendly-pile-on-watch-movies-and-eat-popcorn sofa, this is NOT your sofa!  But at the end of the day, I am thrilled with this purchase as it suits my needs perfectly!