Balance is all important in home design. Thus, when you are decorating yours remember to do a variety of both cold and warm features. For example, should you select cement for a counter top, the table base would be a wonderful complement to it in maple. Or, maybe you see yourself as more of a marble person, then any warm wood would do it justice.
This then leaves you wide open when you are deciding upon wall colour and art. Flexibility is readily available when you make your initial big choices, but be careful that you do not eliminate future options by being heavy handed with the cold or warm items. You will certainly be happy when it comes time to do the special touches that you left your options open. Plus, balance is always best. Decisions on lighting, for example, can generously affect the perception and overall feel of home surfaces. Downlighting, which is most common, is best for clinical environments that need to be kept clean, while Uplighting creates a diffused lighting effect, giving the home a feeling of warmth and safety. Some of the most striking homes I have experienced have been those that have been lit predominately with uplighting, using a combination of in- ground luminaries, wall and floor lamps. Its a dynamically growing field in architecture. With this, you have grounds to convince your partner that stylish lamp you have had your eye on is necessary to the overall construction of the house! If all else fails, somehow cut down on the downlights you need for the bathroom to slip it into the budget.