I understand your frustration. It is so expensive to make a quilt in both time and money. Make it be what you like - you are going to display it and use it.
I have always said I am more a craftsman than an artist and I envy your desire for originality. I find that paper piecing sampler blocks breaks the pattern of so much repitition.
It's interesting, I have noticed quilts that men create are usually more unique. It is like they don't have the "rules" imprinted in thair DNA. I am 68 and I still have flashes of an old home ec teacher scolding me for breaking some rule. :lol:
Go for it and show us your results. Who knows, probably some of us will copy you.