Where does one start with figuring out a design? With thoughts and decisions.

Web design has to be both good design and functional for the reader/visitor. Here are some of the basic decisions I am working with:

• What is my purpose for this site? It's a blog - so content is front and center, and there are certain "expected" norms of a blog. For example, one main column with either one or two sidebars is expected and clues the reader into "this is a blog." But also, the site design has to allow for different kinds of design challenges (places to incorporate "blog" stuff like "latest blogs" or "blog roll", etc.).Different theories are out there about whether blogs should be minimalist in design or not.
• What is the feel I want to produce? Does it need to feel like a polished business or an artsy cafe?
• What makes it unique from other sites?
• Being a blog, the written content must be easy to read, and prominent on the page. But it also must be organized with images and white space so that it leads the eye which skims a page. So, the design needs to move quickly from left to right in a Z pattern. The most important part of the site must be in that top line of the Z pattern.
• Controversy - Design centric with a large banner . . . OR . . . get as much content as possible "above the fold" - i.e. what is seen on the initial screen without scrolling. Another alternative is to use a larger banner area for the design flair but give the titles of blogs above the fold (in linkable fashion) and this is the way I'm leaning.
• Length of any one line of text shouldn't exceed 90 characters/symbols.
• Color Choices - I am using Fireworks to create an analogous color scheme. There are many web pages that talk about color theory. Different colors elicit different emotions and attitudes. I plan to use either orange or green as the basis. Green is a popular color due to it's images of growth and connection to nature. Orange has become "popular" again and gives the feeling of energy and excitement (close to yellow). You can do a search on color theory for ideas and thoughts. Vandalay Design offers an article, "Find the Perfect Colors for Your Website," with many links to resources on color.
• Keep consideration of "divine proportions" in mind, roughly 5:3.

That's the short list of decisions to make before I can create a sketch/mock-up.