Formal training not required
A lot of us here don't have formal training, myself included. But, I think most of us have been into design longer, though. I'm well over twice your age.
As for fans, anything you put in a room affects the design, even light switches! So thinking about a good fan is a smart idea. Check out the link below. Many of their fans are in your price range and a lot more interesting that the Hampton Bay stuff.
http://www.fanshack.com/
PS
use the web. Search and ye shall find, don't think you need to resort to local megastore like HD, to getthings done ASAP. Rooms that take longer to finish always seem to look better...although a 62" TV is really gonna cramp the style no matter what you do. Sorry, I can't get past the thing, it's insanely big. But this is America, I guess. Stupid big is something we do well in this country...supersize me
Well,
This is not America. This is Sweden, and that TV... You could put in red seats and green carpets and charge admission. That thing will eat your room - that's just the way it is. No one is ever going to see your furniture, so you could just as well beg some sturdy wood boxes from the local construction company. Use those as seats. And charge admission. 🙂
If you hate TVs start a new thread
The comments about other off reds clashing is right on. There is no other red in my LR but the couch and it's the star. I've used other colors that soften the overall impact and/or blend into the walls so the couch stands out but doesn't overwhelm you. My decor is a bit too 1940's for what you need but you'll get the idea. As for the fan I'd keep it as clean and minimal as possible to dissappear into the ceiling. In other words very clean, simple and most likely white.
pictures
Here's a few photos, feel free to rip me a new one ...
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=5j1p8p1.cxm7oh9&x=0&y=-d77brs
The "glass green" mentioned
would be more like a frosted glass color as in looking at a sheet of frosted glass head on... The green would be a tint with little evidence of turquoise... The red I invisioned would be a bright clear red... Some might like this combo others not... I see little reference of Xmas in this scheme... I remember a coffeeshop in Seattle painted these colors in the late 80's (pre Starbucks)... I was quite taken with it... At a time of mauve and teal color schemes it was a breath of fresh air and a statement of the "interior as art" rather than a something popular... As a complementary color scheme I enjoy the vibration and aliveness of the of colors that work off of each other... If this is bothersome surround your red sofa with neutrals... Please don't take any of our comments here to seriously... Consider it an art project and have fun...
I am
currently constructing a $12,000 kitchen table (!) of Makore ("African Cherry") which will match the existing kitchen; the wood is a brighter red than clear-finished cherry and the frosted glass used has a stronger than natural acqua-green tint (which shows very pale on the surfaces of the glass and strongly only as an edge stripe) -- perhaps this is the effect Skip refers to. . .
Bargain Furnishing's
There's an excellent company called www.sofasale.co.uk
Supplying canceled orders, end of line, surplus stock, interior furnishings, on behalf of the famous designer stores, they specialize in modern styles, suited to Lofts, Apartments and modern homes.
As a property developer, I use them to furnish all my projects, and end up saving thousands on retail prices, Sofas, tables, chairs, beds, mattresses, cabinets etc. For example I bought a Conran 4 seater 'Aspen' sofa for less than half retail price at £800, also a Barcelona table for £150, a king size hypnos mattress at £320.
They're a friendly bunch and try to be as helpful as possible, they will happily send you photos of what they have, or if theirs anything in particular your after, just ask. They will deliver anywhere. There website is newly up and running and still under construction, but there contact details are there. Make a note of them for the future.
Many great bargains!
Simon.
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