My dad, product of the Depression, always thought you had to have all the furnishings as soon as you moved. So, many of the furniture, paint, window covering decisions my mother made quickly without considering how we would live in the house. My pace of decorating made him crazy (or he thought I was crazy?!). I move, then spend lots of time watching how the sunlight affects each room. Do I need a big sofa or a smaller one with trimmer chairs? Do I need to block the view of the neighbors with blinds or do I want the moonrise to be featured? What color paint is always after I pick fabric because it is easier to match paint to fabric than try to find a drapery that matches already painted surfaces. I shop at antique shops and consignment stores. Decorating my house is not a job that has to be on a time clock. Move in and let the house guide you. Have fun. Let your style evolve. You don’t have to be tied to a style: good design is timeless. Make yourself and your family comfortable and happy.

For financial reasons, I'll be doing this a bit at a time. So I like your approach. But trying to pick a starting point with something that makes sense...