Formal living rooms are rarely used from my experience. I can't tell you how many times I have "re-done" them for clients because after living in a home for a while the home owner realizes that they are wasted space. My advice to you about a formal living area is to leave it undone for 3-4 months and utilize the rest of your new home. See what is missing. Do you need an office, a den? A library? Quiet reading area? An exercise room? A craft room? Or maybe you really do need a formal entertaining area for your multitude of guests that come around every weekend where you entertain very high-brow style. But figure that out first otherwise your investment will be wasted. Part of why you and your husband are drawn to different furnishings is for these reasons: 1) The function of the room is not well established. So he envisions sitting on a big bulky comfy couch watching TV, and you envision sipping tea on a gorgeous ethnically inspired piece of furniture and chatting with your friends. This can only be vetted out with time and understanding how you as a couple will use all of your house. 2) You have different ideas about home design. Your husband is interested in comfort and you are interested in style. You will need to find a happy medium. Instead of saying well his style isn't going to fit with my style, think about how he can have a comfortable piece of furniture in the room that is perhaps tailored enough to go along with some beautifully wood carved, ethnic pieces. And this may actually enhance the look and make it look less "themed". And at the end of the day you may want to consider hiring a designer to help you through the process - often times that can help you weed through the process of balancing out form and function and his wants and your wants in the space. Best of luck!

I love your wallpaper (?) and those pillows with the dots look great in front of it! But I get the feeling that you have a lot of different styles in that room (traditional, pop-modern, ethnic) and the small pictures don't really add something. I suggest you gather them all on one wall, try to make that niche with the wallpaper the focal point of the room (can you center the sofa or the dining table in front of it?) and if possible, remove a couple of sconces...Do you really need them all?

that's what I meant. The cabinets below and above the counter can be finished with a light toned wood grained laminate. if you feel that is too plain, another option would be to go with light wood grain below and plain off white above. Maybe add a couple of wood grained shutters above also to break the monotony

Rajiv, You may need to specify the floor plan and requirements from each area. If you have opted for a false ceiling the design of that as well will help to answer. Thanks, Nitin Cornerstone Designs, Bangalore.