Vintage looks, contemporary performance

...Ideally i'd like to put something together with vintage looks, but contemporary performance. Having never owned a road bike I know next to nothing....Any advice greatly received, particularly on components.

My 2p. Don't waste your money on building a new/old bike. Buy a 2nd hand steel road bike made from a half decent tubeset from the Dutch on here or ebay. Then you'll workout what you really want (which will be a modern bike in the end).

ahead stem, oversize modern steel not old stovepipe, a new groupset not some part worn overpriced relic.
roberts/rourke/enigma.
853/columbus spirit/deda zero replica. all oversize.

if you want a heavy, bendy, quill stemmed, steel forked, luddite bike why have a new one made when you can buy an old one and respray it....

oooff... a bit harsh, but there is a point there. That's why (especially for your first roadie) I'd say buy a 2nd hand bike. You can then work out what it is you like or don't like. Upgrade the groupset etc. once you think it's still worth it.

...There is a middle-ground to be found. My geared bike is late 80's frame and a mix of modern-ish parts and I love it....

True. I've got a early 90s Roberts with a DA 7400 groupset and imo I love it... altho when I have the cash I will be buying a modern road bike.