It is fake leather, definitely not the real thing, but I knew that when I bought it. I needed it to cover the sewing machine insert on an old sewing machine desk for the 99.9% of the time it acts as a desk or end table. The color is an exact match to my loveseat, not just close. Yeah me. It took a day or so for it to flatten as, undestandably, it was shipped rolled up and came with a nice strap if you wish to transport or store it rolled up. There is a bit of a woven-like texture on the non-black side. If your work on your desk requires a smooth surface, just flip it over.