I'd go with his choice, because even if it wasn't 'my' style, I'd rather feel like he's taking an interest and equally invested in our home together. Plus, if I'm being completely honest, I think his taste is probably better than mine. ;) He rarely has an opinion on anything house-related, so when he puts his foot down, I go along with it: and on each occasion, it's been exactly the right decision. Example: I wanted the whole house painted out in ecru and antique white because it looks awesome with oak floors and I'm kind of a minimalist. Hubby insisted on painting the lounge room in yellow. YELLOW. I thought he'd lost his mind... but I went with it, because I get my way 99.9% of the time, so why quibble about the 0.1%? He insisted that 'in Winter, you'll be glad we have this warm, cozy colour'. And you know what? Every Winter, I love that room. It's an odd duck compared to the rest of the house, but damned if it doesn't actually work surprisingly well. It'd definitely be too much to take as a house-wide theme - but contained as it is, it's pretty great.

Hmm looks vintage! That detail is beautiful. Could you email the old owner of the store?

Cat, in any build or renovation there is always something that doesnt go to the perfect plan. I nearly had the wrong tile placed in my butlers pantry as opposed to my laundry which would have been a disaster - they actually had started in the pantry with the very expensive made to order tile for the laundry and wasted 5 of the 600 x 300 tiles. Just as well the building supervisor checked again with me and there were still enough tiles left. In your case at least they put the correct tile in it just depends how strongly you feel and if this pattern hasn’t grown on you by now then it most probably wont. If it was me in your shoes I would stick what I had originally planned and envisioned and hold back final payment until the job was rectified.

TAKE YOUR TIME before you commit to plan. Don't rush and don't let others rush you. The section will talk to you and tell you what it needs - if you are prepared to take the time to look and listen to it. Where does the sun rise and set? Does the site face North, South, East or West? Where are the views? What direction do the prevailing winds come from? Are there any water courses that might cause flooding issues? What direction do you approach the site from? Are there existing trees or other natural features that need to be included and considered. What soil type are you dealing with - rocky, volcanic, boggy, clay etc. Make a list of all the things that you think will be important to know about the site itself for ever starting picking out floor plans. Once you have the answers to those questions, the type of floorplan you require will begin to automatically narrow a little, making your job a lot easier. When you have a good picture of where you feel your basic rooms might be best located, then work out a budget. Build in a contingency amount that you will not go above. THEN go and talk to an architect. I know, the idea of employing an architect sounds expensive and it can be but it can also be the best money you ever spend. Friends of ours have just built an architecturally designed home on a very modest budget and it is just the most wonderful wee house, with loads of unique features that had they gone for a standard 'off the plan' house, they would have missed out on. I'm not going to suggest the type of house you should have. You don't need to know that from me. Formulate what design types you like. Make a scrap book of colours and styles you like. When I read your letter, your thoughts seemed to me, to be all over the place. You are excited - I get that but start to control you enthusiasm and begin to narrow your focus just a little..... actually, quite a lot. I get that this is your dream home but if you don't focus, you can make it your nightmare and that would be such a shame. Start with the basic approach above. Listen to others by all means but once you know the basis of design you are going for, stick with it - and that's why I say to use an architect. A good architect will help you to focus. Best of luck. It will be nice to see the progress.