Instead of trying to explain to your partner what you want, find photos that represent the look and feel of what you are going for. There are many magazines and inspirational photos that you can find online that will help you both be on the same page, be able to make better joint and cohesive decisions and can even be helpful for your contractor!
Think about the seasons as they can sometimes have an effect on your renovation project. If there are exterior walls being opened, then plan your job during the comfortable weather seasons. Prioritize your jobs accordingly.
Most renovation projects will take longer than you originally planned. Recognize that while you don’t want to settle, progress beats perfection. Especially if your renovation compromises the use of an essential room in the house like a kitchen, get it done sooner than later so you can get back to a normal way of life. Small details can be buttoned up later.
Unless you are not going to be living in the home, then tackle your projects one at a time. Trying to live through several things being redone at the same time can have you stressed out more than necessary. It can also have your stress having you make rash decisions that you could regret later on.
Unless you have seen colors in actual application before, do yourself the service of using proper color samples. These days it is pretty easy to get a small jar of paint to test out on a wall. There are even larger peel and stick color samples that are even easier to use so that you can see how the color works in your room before committing to purchasing all of the paint necessary to do the job.
Even if each of your strengths are recognized, it is still a good idea to make a list of the things that need to be done and divide them up between the two of you. If there is anything that is a gray area, sometimes it is best to bite the bullet and add it to your list!