Where are we going?

Talked to the sales rep at Riverbend today and told him I'd decided to go with just a single level. One bedroom, straightforward. He sent an updated contract, I signed it, and I'm scheduled to meet with the designer on July 27.

I enunciated something to Rebecca today that I hadn't said before. I think of myself as being pretty much immune to groupthink - to doing things because they're expected or because all the cool kids are doing them or because it would make me look better to my friends or even strangers. Up to this point on this project - maybe still - I'm torn between doing what *I* want and what - what, the Jones'? prospective future owners? would want. Deciding to go with a single level and a single bedroom seems like a big step in the right direction. That's decidedly what I need, though it doesn't suit everyone. I suspect this will come up over and over again. I wish it wouldn't.

I wish I were better at envisioning a cohesive design for the whole house. I'm already finding myself battling the desire to build something that's a combination funky cabin with lots of rough-hewn wood and taxidermy, a stately home with lots of visible timbers and glass, a turn-of-the-century cottage with an arts and crafts look, a 1910s place with a cool barrister's bookcase and antique dressers, a 1930s place with art deco lamps, a 1950s place with aqua, pink, and formica, or something with an artsy look, say Talavera. As I look at this list, I think "all of the above".

At any rate, I've resolved to spend a couple hours a day between now and my meeting with the designer mulling through and gathering samples of these design elements and styles. Blogging is one way to tease out those thoughts, so here I am.