This doesn't look as gray to me as it does in the picture--rather, it seems pretty starkly black and white (more white with black specks). This happens to work for me and my decor, which is why I still give it five stars, but please just be forewarned about that if you are looking for something that looks pretty straightforwardly gray. I find the texture quite lovely and much softer than expected. It does definitely have a "shag" kind of look.