The best looking monitors are usually the Sony Trinitron CRTs, but they cost about a hojillion dollars.
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...u_Displays_CRT
Hitachis are really nice too, but slightly less than the Sonys.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...134-009&depa=1
My friend has this 19" Flat hitachi and it looks like fucking God's monitor, although I've never been in the presence of a high-dollar Sony.
I've had a 19" KDS for ~3 years now and it's never given me a problem. They're not a very well known brand but have great value.