Questions about this Board/Piece combo

I'm thinking about getting my first wooden set (all I have now are the heavy tournament pieces with a green vinyl roll up board from wholesalechess.com).

I was wanting a smaller board than what I've got now and have found this, was thinking about getting the small board with 1.75" squares (also, I like the board with the logo and notation):

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/product_p/brdwtrnap.htm

For the chess pieces, I was thinking about these:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/product_p/menwcla30.htm

Now my question is, what colors should I get for those peices? The board will be on display most of the time, but I'd like some good contrast so it's easy to play with. The Ebonized Boxwood might be good, but since I'm also curious as to what Red and Ivory Lacuered or Red and Natural Lacquered would look like (unfortunatly there's no pictures of the Red pieces).

I like the idea of matching a set to a room and the living room that this set will live in is very colonial with a lot of red and dark brown in the room - nice leather sofa and chair, red perisan rug and red drapes. (which is why I'm drawn the Red pieces).

What would you prefer? Does anyone have something similiar, I mean with the Red Laquered pieces?

Here's what a lacquered red and white HOS Professional set looks like:

Thanks for the picture - wow that's bright!

The Red and Ivory will definatly give the most contrast!

I'm definitely a fan of the red in pieces. In fact I'd be delighted to own a pristine antique Jaques set of ivory men in red and natural.

Until then I get my red fix with my plastic pieces, matched happily on a vinyl board most of the time.

Do the red pieces become an eye sore after a long game?

Not at all, though lacquered pieces might be so glossy they probably would be problematical for long sessions.

Get the pretty set for how it looks and use another set as needed?

 No.  My first tournament game was the first time I ever played with the red pieces--or even saw them.

I lost the game, but still really liked the pieces.

I'm pretty sure they were the Jaques pieces.  He took really good care of them.  Bundled each one individually in what looked much like coin rolls.

He was a cool dude, too.