I'd say it's an extremely dark-brown that can look black in certain lights but it's brown when compared with black. The monogram pattern is a golden colour, it's hard to describe - it's not shiny gold but it's not quite yellow either.
It looks more like the picture with out flash my aunt has this one and it is beutiful in person if you like that chocolate brown you will be very please the handles look great too.
visit my blog. i have photos of my mini lin there in muted light. i would say it is a very dark brown background with a sort of bronze monogram. hard to describe. my SA said that eventually the linen blend will make it a bit shiny.