One of the most important lessons I learned when I first started playing was to build a house where you spawn. This is not my main house, but why skimp on the style?
The premise for the design was to add on to the building as my tools and skills became more sophisticated, creating a tower to survey my surroundings while night passed.
Then Notch added beds. Having made my first trip to the Nether, I knew how to finish it.

Additional Notes

Afterthought: This kinda makes me think of the Statue of Liberty...for some reason...