apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'd go with sage green and cream together. The sofas seem to have orange hues already and I think using either orange or yellow would just bring that out more and that would just focus on the color of the sofas.

Depends on the rest of your color scheme, and what you're already attracted to. I think a nice, bright cornflower blue would be really interesting, set off the cognac leather nicely and look much more unexpected than pale blue, turquoise or sage would. I would combine it with a creamy gold as is in the single floral pillow in your photo.

I'd do some navy in the room, would make it feel warm and rich and gentlemen's clubish. And you could separate the three pieces your husband made you buy -- keep one or two in the family room and put one piece in a bedroom, den or where ever you might need extra seating. That way you can bring in another chair in a different fabric and the room won't feel so much like a furniture store display.

Deep purple and deep jade green.

I think blue somewhere on the walls-either a softer gray blue all over or a navy accent wall with some great cream throw pillows and blankets in different textures. If it's feeling too "male" for you what about throwing in an antique silver mirror? It depends on your style. I understand men and matching sofas. I have a complete set in my basement.

Frankly, I think throw pillows on manly leather sofas usually look silly -- it's obvious the guy bought the couch and a girl is trying to frilly it up. And it usually ends up being a look that neither really likes.

Since you have to work the furniture, I suggest working with it in a more "masculine" style than throw pillows and little lap blankets: Why not cover the seat of one with, say, a sheepskin rug. Then cover the back of another with a neutral-colored Mexican rug. Then maybe have one BIG pillow in an ethnic textile on the third.

The truth is, with three cordovan colored pieces, you have Santa Fe style, like it or not.

I wasn't leaning towards frilly pillows, something more along the lines of the Lutz & Patmos collection at West Elm. I like the sheepskin rug idea though.

I actually held a number of colored things up against the photo, so I feel confident in agreeing with clampers that deep purple has a great impact on the color. I also think that, on the sofa you have shown, the lighter pillow that's there (the one that doesn't match the others) would work well with the purple & sofa-color combination.

I see lots of good suggestions here, so you have room to play. A rug or blanket on one might complement an arrangement of pillows on the other.

I didn't mean to suggest that your choices were frilly. I was thinking about an episode of the British comedy Coupling, where a new couple goes furniture shopping together. The guy can't understand what the deal is with women and throw pillows, "since all you do with them is throw them on the ground." All the men and women in the store end up taking sides in the debate.

Quite honestly, I like the colors in your throw pillows...
the circular print pillows. I would go with the color scheme in those pillows.

My sister has sofa, loveseat, & chair in the same color leather. Some people actually like "sets"...likey my sister,
who has sofa, loveseat, & chair in the same color leather.
We used the colors that are in your pillows...
a pale sage, cream, along with the lighter and darker beige. It calms down the furniture.

I would also go with a deeper color in the throw...that off white is too bright...as is the yellow pillow in the center. Testament to why any shade of yellow just won't work, IMO.

I'm with the Navy and Cream peeps!

Retracting my earlier statement! Lisa (Montreal), you're right on with the sheepskin/ethnic pillow combination...but I don't think that the look has to be "Santa Fe" or masculine..thinking something more bohemian and eclectic, not so much southwestern or lodgey.

Oh, matching leather furniture. It's like "History of Leather" part III. You must do something to break up the overwhelming sense of being trapped in a tannery.

If the rest of your home color scheme will support it, I suggest using at least one bright color, since the leather is so earthy. Orange would be good. Or even chartreuse green. Something you would not expect with leather. Don't think of trying to "match" the leather... instead just treat it as a neutral a la wood floors.

Pillows on leather are fine, but they need to be done right. Instead of having lots of little throw pillows (which is feminine, regardless of the fabric), opt for a single large lumbar pillow across the entire length of the sofa.

Use a very simple, modern throw (no fringe or frills) neatly folded across the chairback or ottoman.

Oh yes, put a large lacquer tray on the ottoman. It know it is kind of cliched, but it is functional and will also help "tone down" all those leather surfaces. Use the throw on your chair.

I wanted to second the bright blue suggestion- yellows and oranges will only make the leather look more orangy, with no relief.

I'm mostly with Lisa(Montreal) on this one up to a point.
No small pillows or solid color throws. The seat cover, throw and large pillow need to be in synch with the rest of your decorating style, but two out of three need to be large patterns, or you'll just wind up with blocks of color.
A tray on the ottoman is also a great idea. I don't use one on my leather ottoman all the time, but when I have company and want it to function more as a coffee table, I add the tray.

Consider using a complimentary color (blues) or a split compliment (Blue-green or Purple-Blue). A strong pattern (maybe a wide stripe?) may help break up the "solid" feel of all the leather pieces together. I'd stay away from any warm colors since you have enough warmth in the orange leather.
My first thoughts were either rich dark teal or deep slate blue.