Interview different architects and show them these pictures once you have land and see if they understand your style. Put together a list of wants, needs, must haves and wouldn't it be nice to haves. Talk to him/her about the feel of the house and how you want to feel when you drive up or when you are in the house.

I highly suggest you work with an architect and not a "designer" unless you've seen lots of the "designer's" work. Most "designers" are nothing more than glorified draftsman who have little understanding of true architectural design

Great advice! Thank you. Do you think it best to find an architect that specializes in historical work? Any suggestions for how to find a good architect?

The photos that you have posted appear to be centered more on interior design aspects instead of architectural style. Have you found any images of exterior elevations which represent what you are most drawn to?

What do you envision for the exterior? Do you like stone, brick, or wood-siding homes? Do you like homes with gambrel, mansard, hipped, or gabled roofs? Do you like arch elements? Columns? What about the facade? Do you like porches?

My advice would be to keep with the research but try to focus on the full picture. Not just only the rooms but the elevation.

Also, a definite YES! in regards to working with an architect who has experience with historical / classical design. And, this is especially so if you are like me, wanting to maintain true to period design.

You can try the ICAA but I wouldn't limit your search to this. When we were looking, our search terms were "classical" and "architect." And--believe it or not--for my area, we were able to find quite a few award-winning architects.

IMO it's great when the exterior of the home flows into the interior to make a cohesive statement. This house below is located in Napa Valley.

This Mediterranean Villa below easily transitions to the interior of the home.

@tendrac good advice, thank you. Being in North Texas, we are going to have to be intentional with the exterior (this is based upon what I’ve been told — we are in the process of figuring out which materials would be the most logical for us to use on the exterior, given availability and our budget. I think that information will help with determining the direction we do with the exterior elevation)

I see that an architect isn’t the one to help realize the interior vision. Do you think it’s necessary to hire a designer to help with that aspect?

IMO architects are not great at interior design and IMO you needan ID from the beginning to work with your architect to get what you want. I am not always on the same page about the inside and the outside needing to be the same. BTW I would say post the pics you find attractive for each space on your idea books then we can go and look at all the things you like to get a much better feel for all the spaces.

@beverly I agree. We want the home to flow and transition seamlessly from the inside, out. Do you have any suggestions for how to achieve this “cohesive statement”? From my understanding, the professionals focusing on the interior and exterior are two different people?

@patricia this is very helpful. It sounds like you suggest working with the ID first and then transitioning to work with the ID in tandem with the architect?

Some architects provide interior design services and design the house inside and out. The house's relationship to the site is paramount and that is something interior designers rarely get involved in. I think the best case scenario is to get the architect involved first, then the builder and interior designer. The builder can advise on the budget during the design process and the interior designer can collaborate with the architect on the design details.

You also need to start thinking about how you want the house to function for you. Do you need a big room to watch sports with a group of friends? Do you need a place for hobbies that doesn't need to be cleaned up every day? Do you like a kitchen where the mess is not visible when you entertain? Do you like to eat at a table or counter?

There are lots of books to help you articulate this with your architect. I like The Not So Big House by Susan Susanka and others of hers like https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136558.Creating_the_Not_So_Big_House?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Q5ADtw5ayc&rank=3 but maybe people can recommend others.You might also find it interesting to read A Pattern Language at this early stage in your process. This article will give you an idea of what it is about. https://www.curbed.com/2019/7/11/20686495/pattern-language-christopher-alexander

You might like this book https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1015870.A_Visual_Dictionary_of_Architecture

@mark do you have a suggestion for finding an architect that specializes in both? It never occurred to me that this could be accomplished by the same person!

Maybe the architects on this site have some suggested homework books for you.

@partim I’ve actually been doing a lot of this already! I really appreciate these resources. This will be very helpful!

I see that an architect isn’t the one to help realize the interior vision. Do you think it’s necessary to hire a designer to help with that aspect?

A good architect can absolutely get you started realizing your interior vision.

I also agree the outside should work with the inside. There is nothing more disorienting than seeing for example, a contemporary exterior and walking into a traditional interior or even the opposite.

@patricia this is very helpful. It sounds like you suggest working with the ID first and then transitioning to work with the ID in tandem with the architect?

I disagree. You start with the architect. Ideally you also bring on the ID and the builder near the beginning but you start with the architect.

I would avoid a design/build firm because the architect works for the builder and if a problem arises, who do you think the architect's loyalty lies with?

Look up threads from Virgil Carter Fine Art as he put together what to look for in an architect and how to get started.

When we gut remodeled a 70’s townhouse in a ski town, our architect designed the all interior trim and the cabinetry, the tile layouts in the baths....I picked the tiles I liked, then waved my hands and said my”make it work”....The furniture and rugs I did not need help with...that’s the fun part.

If you know of any new houses that have a historical style to them in your area, find out who the architect was. See if any local architects design in traditional styles.

One of my favorite books on classic architectural design is "The Honest House" by Ruby Ross Goodnow. It is a rare architectural book published in 1914.

Who should you talk to when it comes time to build: Connor Homes Mill-Built Homes of Middlebury, Vermont!!!!! They build/ provide "New Old Houses" KITS... They have many home plans to choose from, and options... you could also throw in some timbers or do part of your home as post and beam construction... perhaps the center of the home where the family room and kitchen open concept design with a stone fireplace.... talk to them. They have been building and custom designing homes for over 30 years, I think. Your style seems to be a mix of early "New England Colonial American Farmstead"... because colonists came here mostly from England and Old European countries they brought with them their design and building methods and home layouts... central hall entrances, breezeways to the "barn" which is in modern days... the garage... They used post and beam construction, field stones, and bricks when available for the construction of residential homes... homes were built to withstand the inclement weather, so you found several chimneys and fireplaces throughout, because when it was cold, it was cold... candles were strung up from the beams to store them or while they were making them. etc. It's the small details that make the home, and your pictures depict to me a warm cozy, made from materials of the earth construction that this company was founded on. No, I don't work for them... but I wish I did... https://connorhistoric.com (where it all started) and now: Connor Mill-Built Homes - The Traditional Building Conference Series (traditionalbuildingshow.com)... Enjoy and Good luck! And to answer your question, yes... they will make a house for you in Texas! UPDATE, sorry just saw this... what a shame: Connor Homes closes its Middlebury shop - Addison Independent

It may still be possible to buy a Connor Home from the company that bought them out. You'll have to do a little research if your interested. After you look at the homes on their site... you probably will be!