Well I would definitely start with flooring because that is something you will live with for a very long time.
Then you supposedly pick the paint color from the fabrics (drapery, bed linens) you chose. Personally, I go through bedspreads easily so I like to at least have an idea of the wall colors I prefer and then choose fabrics accordingly. So I guess it would be flooring, furniture, fabrics, paint but I'm sure others will disagree.
What is important to you?

Welcome, czoot! We are in the planning stages for a home that we want to start construction on next August, so I've been where you are.
For our master suite, my husband had a very clear directive: no florals PLEASE. I searched high and low for a bedding ensemble that we both could live with and from that I chose my paint and flooring. The carpet and wall colors are fairly neutral (SW Toasty) so I'm not worried about future bedding not coordinating.

Do you have a special piece of artwork you would like to display? From that you could choose your colors. Maybe you and your husband could agree on a paint color and go from there.

It helps to have a clear and defined vision of what you want the room to look like. Scout through magazines and clip anything that intrests you. Once you know the direction you want to proceed in, then anything that doesn't "fit" becomes more obvious.

The number of choices that are out there are overwhelming and sometimes it's only the budget that brings our feet back on solid ground-- darn ;)
Good luck to you!

This is how I did it and I'm sure it's not the recommended way. I tried to find an inspiration piece, i.e, a photo, pillow, etc. Really couldn't find one thing that I liked enough to decorate around. One thing I did was realize finally what style I wanted the rooms to be and then learned what colors would enphasize that style. My style is relaxed modern country in the main living area, modern country with glitz for the master bedroom and bath, shabby chic for the guest room, old New Orleans for the guest bath
and traditional modern for the office. The kitchen is kinda of french country, the foyer traditonal with some european influence. How's that for a mix? I guess I've just managed to confuse you more. Sorry, didn't mean to. Just wanted to show you there is no one way to decorate or find your style. I decorate rooms around how I want them to make me feel when I'm in them

Having this forum with it's many photo's and members who have great decorating sense, helped me to come up with my color schemes.

When I picked out my flooring I didn't really consider it with the other aspects of most of the rooms because I know I wanted a medium wood laminate and that went with anything. For the wet area's I went neutral or black and white, more neutral.

For the great room and kitchen I went with BM Rich Creme (a very pale yellow) and all the other rooms are in the same hue I guess you could say. They are silver sage, Yorkshire Tan (this was the one room I painted to match the toile fabric I had already bought), cashmere grey (which is more green than gray), nantucket gray (which is more green than gray) and Blue Mist.

I'll have updated photo's today or tomorrow and can post them if you'd like.

Good luck

Thank you for your replies. Sounds like I need to get a mental picture and work toward that. Would love to see your pictures Bruteses. Thanks again!

Ah, czoot - we're going through the same thing! I was seriously struggling for a LONG time on the style and overall feel of the house that I was trying to achieve.

Basically, I decided on my kitchen first. I went to the kitchen forums here and looked through every, single kitchen on the Finished Kitchens Blog. EVERY, single one. I changed my mind a million times, and finally decided on what I wanted.

After the kitchen cabs and countertops were decided (white, shaker cabs with black soap-stone-looking counters), I chose the hardwood that would look the best (a dark maple).

I think at that point I tried to figure out the paint colors, but really needed an inspiration fabric to help. I ended up finding the bedding for the master bedroom, which helped me pick out a paint color for the bed and bath, whihc lead to shower curtain/rug/accessory choices.

And now I'm working room by room. I finally (after MUCH agonizing) have picked out paint color for the dining room. And found fabric that coordinates perfectly.

My latest and greatest project is the living room. Paint has been decided and now I"m onto furniture and art.

My best advice to you would be look at everything. Look at all of the threads, books, websites, whatever! to see if anything (a look, a fabric, WHATEVER) inspires you. That's what I did, and it really helped.

I am SUPER pumped about the way my house has turned out. It's so stressful with new construction, and starting from scratch. But you can do it!!!