Paint/stain/furniture advice

[stry...@yahoo.com]

Looking for advice. I have a distressed black entertainment center in my living room. I neither love it nor hate it. I am needing new furniture and contemplating making my own end tables and a coffee table and possibly a new entertainment center. (I only do woodworking as a hobby btw).

My floors are hardwood oak, with a sort of reddish tint. (I think it may be called butterscotch).

My question is, if I were to make these, would you stain them a reddish hue similar to the floor? Would you stain them a walnut stain to contrast the floor?

Or should I keep the entertainment center and paint my coffee table/end tables black? (Again to contrast the floor).

More than likely, I would use red oak as I have a lot of it and I can get it at my local Lowes. (I know if I paint it I have to fill in the pores).

Also, would you make everything out of solid wood only, or would you use plywood to simplify everything?

I appreciate any advice. I have attached links to some pictures. I hope they work.

Thanks!


http://pinterest.com/pin/48140408764239532/?s=3&m=smemo


http://pinterest.com/pin/498140408764239536/?s=3&m=smemo