Love the size of this basket -- use for a catchall on a bookshelf.  It did initially have a fairly strong "grassy" odor, but I sprayed it with Febreze and the odor subsided.  There is still a slight smell if you get your nose right up to it, but nothing offensive.  Because of the nature of the materials, it doesn't look "perfect" but that is part of it's "organic" look.  It's a very nice and well made basket.