Do you really need help defining what you both like? Are there model homes in your area that you can visit?Some areas only have "builder grade homes." . In So Cal, homes are built with all the upgrades and staged perfectly. Visit models, take pics, absorb, & learn. You will learn to define your taste, and create a fluid overall look, as well as what kitchen finishes combos you like (floors, counter, cabinets, backsplash)

1) decide on your color palette. What colors do you want to live with? Decide first, then shop. When shopping, if the item is interesting and doesn't fit your colors, put it back!

2) Don't rush! You will fine tune the look of your home over time. Color palettes change every season, but don't worry you will find shades of your color with patience.

3) Take note of the plants! Plants are key to polishing the look of a home. Many people underestimate their importance. Plant killer? Google search "Nearly Natural fiddle leaf fig" Put it in a bigger basket & cover w/ moss

Link to model homes and condos: http://tours.stevenjamescollins.com

I’m not a designer but I have worked with them in the past.

Contractors don’t do that sort of thing, they usually just do the actual installation/building etc. Many designers/decorators make a good part of their profit from the things you buy through them. They get them at a discount and sell them to you at retail, which is what you would pay for them anyway if you were buying them yourself. Sometimes they will get you a better price than you would get on your own.

If you can find a designer who is willing to work by the hour, that would be the way to go, but I’m guessing it would get expensive pretty fast. The last time I worked with a designer that way it was around $150 per hour, and that was years ago. I don’t think I would have wanted to take her shopping with me.

Kitchen and tile showrooms have people who can help with selection, but they’re going to expect you to buy the materials from them.

Looked at your idea book. You seem to like coastal sophistication

Review Geoff Chick's projects. https://www.houzz.com/pro/geoffchick/geoff-chick-and-associates

If you don’t buy product, expect to pay $250-$400 per hour for a real professionalwho can give you professional results. Unless you’re dealing with some bored trophy husband decorator who thinks he has great taste, but really just has a rich husband to buy him a hobby.

Thank you all so much for your responses! You have definitely helped me. I am going to take my time on this project. My style is changing constantly. One day I want contemporary, the next I want coastal. I'm all over the place. It's not easy designing a home from the ground up but I appreciate you all pointing me in the right direction.

First thing you must do is decide on your colors. If you are the sort if person who likes changing the decor with the seasons, then create a neutral background for your finishes and large furniture pieces: gray, beige, brown, charcoal, white are all good choices. There was an old decor rule: have a spot of black in every room. Some adhere to it still, while others don't. You can make the black subtle: black curtain rod, black handles, etc.

One guideline that I think is very helpful is the effect of wall art in your entry or front sitting room. A colorful piece will set the color scheme. Use its various shades throughout the home. Is there a special vacation spot or photo you'd like to use as your theme? Make a large canvas or print for that area.

Contemporary one day, Coastal the next? I call that "transitional coastal". (Transitional is a combo of traditional and contemporary) .

The term coastal can encompass several schemes. It can be flip-flop bright beach towel casual, softly striped & subdued, nautical anchors w/red, white and blue, South Sea Island resort (traditional or contemporary or modern or British colonial with exotic island accents), South sea island house on stilts, African coast Australian coast, Bali, Vietnam, Tahiti, Hawaiian waterfalls & rain forest: colors, blue, teal, aqua, seafoam, green, Glam coastal, etc.. Coastal can be a part of any scheme you want. You could do a South of France (Euro country beach). You are limited by your imagination only.

Restoration Hardware had some interesting glam/ coastal bedrooms-(below) Note: you don't need mirror nighstands for a glam look. These tall glam mirrors over the nightstands draw the eye upward and visually expand your ceiling. (It's like the trick with hanging drapes higher and wider than the window to make the window feel bigger than it is) Mirrors over nightstands are a great visual trick to expand ceiling height and works with all decor styles.

More "coastal"

I completely understand your situation. There are many choices and styles for your new house. 1- We figured our favorite colors (his: blue, mine green) 2-We both like to travel and the beach. So, we decided WATER was our theme. Hawaiian landscape pics in the upstairs hallway. These water lily prints in the front room entrance sets the color scheme blues & greens and all their shades

I often have clients that do not want to buy through me and I do not have a problem with it but they are billed for every hour I spend sourcing, shopping either with them or not and my travel time.If you want to hire a designer be prepared to pay it is not a free service. Call Interior Designers and find out if someone is willing to work like you want.

I do as Patricia does and charge accordingly. Clients who have no idea what they like or want are huge time-wasters and I intend to be paid for that time.

Spend a lot of time online looking at pictures of homes and save the ones you like. Buy all the shelter magazines you can find and cut out the pages with rooms that appeal to you. Once you have a good sized collection of images, go back through and eliminate any that are nice, but don’t thrill you. Then do it again. Keep collecting and culling, and you will end up with a nice selection of rooms that will probably have a lot in common and will reflect what you love the most. Then you can hire someone to help you realize your vision.

When you’re shopping for finishes and furnishings, don’t let anyone talk you out of the ones you love. I’ve been swayed in the past by the opinions and tastes of others, and it’s usually been a mistake.

I recently came across a folder of magazine pages I had saved, some going back to 2002, and there were many that I would still choose as my favorites today.

Have fun with your project.

If you can find a good contractor with good design sense he is worth his weight in gold.

With Houzz and Pinterest, you can collect pictures of what you like and narrow down the feel you expect for your home. I worked by the hour with a wonderful stager who provide me with a list of general item descriptions, placement instructions and sizes that I could use for my diy design. This worked for me since I was moving back in my home after a remodel and had lots of pieces to use as a base.

If you are starting fresh, I think it would be worthwhile to hire an interior designer, especially if you want a well put together look. A pro will help you avoid purchase mistakes, such as too large, too visually heavy, clashing items.