Not that I'm any good at building, but a common strategy I've seen on various YouTube channels is to have a rough reference picture for what you're working towards. An image search for something and adding the word concept or concept sketch usually gives back something good. It helps you remember the final look you're after.
Eg. Image search for desert castle concept
Nb. Ignore the sarcasm at the link, just using it to explain what I mean
Sophie Wilcox was in my sister's class at school. She got very carried away with her childhood stardom, but fair enough, she would have been 11 or 12 or something.