Heres the sofa

The room is totally empty!! We are building a house, so it's a clean slate. This sectional will go in the family room, so I'm looking for a clean look and I love trendy, but it obviously has to be comfortable and feel cozy.

They don't need to match.

What style is the house? What style do you prefer? Are you open to contrast, color and pattern? That's what it will take to make this work nicely. If you prefer minimalist, light, simple, I still don't recommend "matching" chairs to the sofa, work with textures and keep it in a neutral palette. We need to know your preferences.

Here a scheme for a neutral palette, without knowing any specifics of the size or your needs for the room..

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I love colors and patterns! I was hoping to do an upholestered accent chair in a great pattern, however the more I looked at, the more concerned I was that the styles just didn't go with leather. I agree with fife that it's going to need to be more structured to balance the sectional. The whole house, including the ceiling, is being painted a light gray color (which we dont mind changing eventually, however I think it's a good neutral for now). I was thinking of sticking with a light colored window treatment (maybe a linen/cream color) and throwing some blues/browns into the mix. Something calming.

the home is a colonial

Since your sofa is full and grounded, I would opt for sleeker arm chairs in a neutral that show a little leg. You can incorporate color and patterns with an area rug, pillows, art and throws. All items that are relativelyl easy to change out if you want a color change.

Dear Anna: Thank you SO much for the added info. I am still working on figuring out "pictures" - so cannot do this right now.

Since you have the lovely leather sofa - what about something with great texture - like a LARGE comfy chair - (not billowed) covered in something like an Indian Berber fabric (this can be scratchy so suggest a real upholstry fabric - softer - same look? You don't want your sofa to be the lone leather stranger in the room - you could do chairs which have leather to match the sofa on the back & fabric on the front - ???? I don't think I would attempt a white ottoman. If they [chairs] are structured - what about having them finished with upholstry tacks - these come in so many colors now, and textures - it can totally change a piece of furnitue? If you have an upholstered fabric ottoman - pull these two together wtih the matching tacks on both? And you could have an ottoman covered in an actual rug? These are great. High-end - yet casual.

I don't think I would worry too much about the color of the walls, since the color you describe is pretty neutral - and will provide a nice background for almost anything you choose now. Paint IS cheap!

Ethan Allen has some pretty great and very functional furniture for families in their collections, and interestingly - so does LazyBoy - not everything is a recliner - and both offer designers to assist with fabrics, etc. Have you considered this?

Do you have children? If so, as you know, glass tables are out for coffee tables - you could do just end tables and/OR a great upholstered bench for the coffee table. There is a line of fabrics called SUNBRELLA - which are stain proof, wear proof. These can be found on the higher end outdoor furniture at Pottery Barn, and an on-line magazine called Frontgate.com - to get some ideas of the designs and colors. Some pretty amazing stuff. This might be better for you if there are children to consider with a coffee table in the mix.

I like your idea of the creame or yellow colored yellow linen drapes. This sounds quite lovely.

Do you have wooden floors, carpet?

keep us posted - sounds great!

I SO agree about having some pieces with legs - and arms - it will keep the room from looking like everything is plucked down on the floor.