So much can happen on an exterior...trim, exposed rafters, doors, windows, siding, stone, brick, stucco, roofing, gutters and downspouts....hire an architect or a design/build firm to help answer these questions prior to building....like hiring an interior designer for help with furniture, these professionals will help decide the style of the exterior of the house and how that style interacts with the function of the house.

Tsilanko, I would always recommend professional installation where needed. But what I am doing here is suggesting that WHEN you are planning to build or renovate, to consider how your plans will affect you in 20 or 30 years time. Split levels are very hep when you are young. A kitchen 3 steps down at 30 is rarely a problem, but might be a hazard at 60, or, as Marjie1059 suggested, if you break a leg. ... All my parents' homes were terrible for old people. They were forced to move to a bungalow in extreme old sge because the location and design of their home was more suitable for an active young couple with a large family than for an elderly couple with stroke disabilities. I would not want to move again, so my present home has features built in that make ageing in place simpler. Mostly small changes, like grab rails, and lever handles on doors and faucets. A major disability suddenly suffered requires major changes if permanent. I did look at this because it came up in the discussion, but if you look at the heading, Planning for Disability, it means just that. Plan ahead so you don't have to make expensive changes later on. But thank you for your advice, yes, major changes are not in the DIY domain.

You can work with your currant wall color or go more yellow - that is up to you. If you do decide to go more yellow. get some small inexpensive sample bottles at the paint store, paint some poster board and hang it on a wall for couple of days because getting the right buttery yellow can be hard. A soft yellow and lavender is pretty together but I also like the sea green. When you said a combo of modern and cottage - that made me think of beach cottages, which often have soft colors (including sea green) and unfussy, calm interiors. You can put a large painting up if you have the wall space for it. Many bedrooms have tall chest, dresser mirror, tall headboard and big TV, all which take up wall space. If you can hang the painting without it being crowded by any of the things I mentioned, it should look very nice. If you wish to do a curtain fabric treatment to a wall and you have the vision of what you want - then go for it. I had a friend who did that in collage - only problem was the yards and yards of fabric needed got rather expensive. So, I would start with finding bedding you love. Simple white is good, and not too expensive. However, you might find something else light that you love, or a quilt or throw for the bottom of the bed and the colors and shades might lead you in a different direction for wall color or accents. So bedding first, then curtains, then see how your wall color is and then add accents and art - although your painting can also be an inspiration for colors.

Mohammad. I understand your program. You may be lost in the details at the moment. Please do follow and trust the advice given here by all these people. You are about to embark on a reasonably expensive journey. Get professional help with someone who you can sit down at a table and brainstorm with them your ideas and intentions. There are Architects and there are professional building designers who are members of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) who are well versed in projects such as yours. I personally love a design challenge. After 38 years designing homes and special use buildings I enjoy this type of challenge the most. I am in Ohio and may not be close to where you are but I am sure with a little investigation you will find the best design professional for you.