It sounds to me, like you are already on the right path. You know what you like! Further more you are able to noodle around and find progressions you enjoy. When I have worked on music that used chromatic scales or odd modulations it came from knowing what I liked and noodling around. Some times the chord would just jump out and make it self at home. Other times I would have to start with a single note and experiment with adding others until I got what I heard in my head. It might use extended chords or diads, or diminished chords or what ever. If I just listened to how it sounded, that was how I found my way.

In other words... You are on the right path, so DON'T FORGET IT as you delve into the complex world of harmony and disonance. Your ear is the ultimate arbitor of your music. That, and patient, persistant, practice are the recipe of all the music that ever was!