You know what's great about 'custom' design? It's custom.
Throw out the TF glossy porno mags. They aren't worth the paper they are printed on. Pick up some books on small house design - or better yet - assemble sketches, measurements, maybe even photos of places you've been that you like. Stitch these together in a rough floor plan. Start imagining a frame in the space as the structure. Shake. Stir. Adjust. Repeat as necessary.
I'm a fan of the 'hall' style as well - but more so in a mudroom flows into kitchen flows into stair and beyond kind of space than in a traditional hall and parlor space.
And I like 'not so great' rooms and 'just OK' rooms. And there is no way any place in my home will be dedicated to the consumption of entertainment and brain washing of my kid and the dog by the talking heads piped in thru the tube. Space is too precious and life too short.
