Garden Designing

I figured I would start a new thread here but basically I am following up on what go_vols said in her (?) post under "if you could change your yard ..."

This is the time when I want to find Dave's Garden my most indispensible resource! I am buying my first house (closing March 1) and my new yard is 12,300 sq ft (approx 100 ft each side). As soon as the house closes, I will start moving the contents of my 30x60 ft garden in Boston to the new yard. There is so much to consider!

Anyone with experience designing a new yard? Any must-have books? Any must-have software? Any must-do ideas? Any oh-no-don't-do-this stories?

I would love to know who else is currently in or recently passed through this particular stage of gardening life and the details of your process and challenges.