I once had some commercial equipment removed from a cafeteria. After seeing the 1/4-3/8 inch thick grease buildup on the sides of the fryer, my appetite for fried foods disappeared for a time. We actually started by scraping with a 2 inch putty knife. Then, we tried everything we could find. For places you could cover, we sprayed with oven cleaner and covered with plastic which was the method used for the company's candy production equipment. They sprayed everything on Friday night and let it sit for the weekend and cleaned it on Monday. The best product I have ever found was "grease control" from the Odo-ban company which is actually an emulsifier so much more green than the toxic chemicals found in some of the cleaners.

Yes! Well... it depends how you are defining interior design. Are you thinking about finishes and furnishings? Or about the design of the interior space; how spaces relate to one another, circulation, flow, function? If you are speaking of design, and not decoration, please consult with an interior designer at the same time as the architect, or before. In my experience, interior designers think on a smaller, function based level; architects are about the big picture. An interior designer should ask you how you live. This question helps to guide design because they will consider your particular needs. Also, consult with a kitchen and bath designer before finalizing house plans. Most times, interior designers (and kitchen and bath designers) work with what they are given. Sometimes it is a fixed space. Sometimes a wall or two can be taken down. And we do the best we can with what we've got. BUT, many times, a designer dealing with interior spaces wishes they were consulted before plans were set in stone (so to speak). Sometimes, it is the little things that make a big difference in function.

Since you have a focus light in that corner already, why don't you go for a big brass statue (goddess) or small brass statues on shelves or even indoor plants on shelves or brass bells on both sides with just statue in the center. Statue like the one below will give an aesthetic look. Wish you good luck.

Warlike Tiger, Good Morning. Whats your dilemma. Is it the budget, design plan or availability of a professional to do it? Either of that would require a site study, without that it is not possible to estimate the plans or costs or even a realistic design plan. If you are keen , you can search for professionals in this forum and contact them or leave your number for interested architects to call you. However, this idea of building the second story and then breaking the lower floor walls is not feasible. It is a hilly area and you should be all the more cautious with the foundation. Hope this helps! Amit CORNERSTONE DESIGNS Bangalore.