Most new construction will make a wood frame, brick veneer and go triple wall stainless inside. From the outside most people don't know the difference. Plan for extra flue incase for your furnace/water heater. What do you plan on doing for primary heat? Gas, oil, electric, heat pump?? What utility options do you have, electric/natural gas??
Put a cold water holding tank near your stove so than it can temper before going into your water heater.
Growing up our house had a bilco door on the side. We'd put plywood on the stairs to make a stuce and roll/slide the wood down. The base of the stairs had an insulated door so that it would seal against the temps. We've cold store hubbard squash on the steps and keep through the winter. Having about 4-cord under our side porch near the stove was really nice when the weather was bad outside. CURE your wood outside BEFORE you bring it inside and fewer CRITTERS will come along for the ride. You can also spray it outside well ahead of bringing it inside.
Heating from the bottom up made the 1st floor feel so nice. If your traditional furnace has a return in the basement it will do the work circulation the heat with it's fan. Insulate your foundation inside and outside extra well will pay off. Got ICF foundation and SIP walls??
I'm plus 1 on free standing stove in basement. Something with enough burn time to run the night will serve you well. If you're wanting to heat basement up DON'T go small you'll regret it.
