We just upgraded our TV to a 50" big screen. We have a very modest and homey living room. I don't know how it's going to look. It's not one that stands alone–we have to buy a stand for it but I'm not too sure how it's going to look. Any ideas on making a big screen fit in a warm and casual living room?

If this helps we already have a lot in the room. One lazy boy, an over sized chair, an oversized sofa (with queen-sized bed), an upright piano (cherry wood), DVD/CD rack, and two large speakers with surround sound. Our home office is also a part of the living room so it's pretty much just a long room.

The color of the TV is black where as all the other furniture are more neutral colors. Is there anyway to get these piece to fit in or will it always look like the odd ball? Any ideas on stands? Our home is anything but contemporary but that’s the only kind of stand we seem to find.

You can buy a wood entertainment unit to fit it… They can get expensive and most will likely be larger than you want… (Side cabinets and all….)

Are you handy with tools & wood? You can make the stand from wood.

You want the base to be only slightly larger than the TV. Measure and make a pattern one inch longer/wider in each direction. You will need to cut 2 from this pattern. One will be the base, just an inch or 2 off the floor, and the other will be positioned at the heighth you want the TV to sit.

Decide how high you want the stand. Add that height to the height of the TV and add a few inches for good measure. Cut 2 panels of wood this heighth, and as wide as at least the front depth of the TV. (It can go back as far as the whole TV if you desire…)

Cut another piece the width of the side boards and long enough to bridge over the TV and connect the side boards.

Assemble and stain a color that would compliment your other colors. That makes it not look as contemporary and doesn't cost $2000.

Place the TV in it and enjoy!!!

I recently bought some furniture for my new living room. Most of the pieces (coffee table, end tables, tv unit, audio tower, bookshelf, etc) are all in a dark brown/espresso color, and all pieces are contemporary. I also bought the couch at this link - http://www.bernieandphyls.com/2008003ST-Suede-Light-Taupe-Sofa.html (notice how the legs are dark brown to match the rest of my furniture)

Also, here are my tables - http://www.bernieandphyls.com/830PK945S-Sleek-Occasional-Table-Set-Cocktail-Table-and-Two-End-Tables.html

Now I’m trying to buy a single chair for the living room. My question is, is it ok to mix and match fabric style and color between a chair and couch? I’m hoping to get a leather chair and ottoman in a dark brown, sort of like this - http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p4_Club-Chairs-Ottomans_193649_Business_Supplies_2_10051_SC2:CG32:DP2230:CL161807

or even like this - http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00051607

Also, if it helps, my walls are all white and my carpeting is a light tan sort of color. Is this too much brown? Is it not ok to match color and fabric? Can anyone please advise or give me some links to recommend any chairs or loveseats that would match or compliment my current scheme? I kind of like this one (would it be a good alternative and a complimentary color?) - http://www.bernieandphyls.com/2108016SH-Suede-Hydra-Chair.html

Thanks so much!

I think you’ve done really well picking out great, neutral furniture. I think the brown leather would be much better than another cream/white piece of furniture. You may want to pick an accent color to spread throughout the room. With what you have already almost any color would work. For example, if your favorite color is brick red you’d pick a few pillows with a pattern that has red, maybe even the brown and cream too. Then throw in a vase, a lamp, a painting with the same basic colors…anything to give the space a little personality.

I've just moved into a new rented apartment and like it very much. Before we moved in, the landlord has spent a lot of money renovated the dining room and spent a lot of time on the wooden paneling. This paneling is not to my taste at all, in the rest of the house it is painted white which looks light and airy, but in this room it is a dark teak color. I want to make this room an office so I can work at home and want to soon buy some furniture. However, I am at a loss at how to decorate this room. Should I go for an Old-English style drawing room look complete with leather chesterfield sofa or would it look to good to contrast the old paneling with contemporary furniture which is more to my taste. I'm not an interior designer so don't have the vision. What do you reckon?

You're smart to appreciate your landlords hard work.
I know your situation, I lived in apartment with dark panaling, but they let me paint it.
Don't worry about matching your furniture to it.
It's there to complement the apartment, thats it.
It should also complement your furniture, not your furniture complement the wall.
You say you like contemporary furniture, and you want to brighten up the place. Buy furniture to do that. You won't get any work done in an office you're not comfortable in.
Get furniture you like. Sounds like you have pretty good taste, you'll make it work.