The images of the duvet have a softened filter on them -- the duvet actually is pretty crispy. I wouldn't call the linen 'softened' at all but it's not scratchy. It is a bit thinner than expected, you can hold it up to the light and see through it a bit. there are seams on it so you will see seams as it lays on your bed, which I wasn't expecting to see. There's also a zipper that jingles a bit on the bottom. It does seem like it was handmade though! It's a really pretty color.