You can absolutely combine style with function. You should start the process by going on Houzz and create a scrapbook....so to speak your "wish book"! Since it seems your husband is going with a little bit of a different style than you.....you both might have to compromise a bit!

Cream cowhide can always be a choice for furniture . IMO the best way to find both is to go shopping , choose some pieces you like the looks of and get him to sit in them I am pretty sure you can find a compromise but it will take time .Big overstuffed puffy furniture is not always that comfortable the other option would be to go with a sofa and 2 chairs and he gets to choose chairs and believe me there are some very comfortable non puffy recliners that will make him feel awesome or better yet have a room for T.V viewing that he can choose the furniture for and have a LR that is yours to have the style you want I never want the T.V. my LR if it can be avoided that is the room I like the fireplce in