The Green Antiques Idea book "Decorating with Chinese Antiques - Design the Ultimate Beach House" has some creative ideas about how to achieve a fabulous East meets West design which gels modern design with the inclusion of numerous antiques (some even painted bright colors as suggested by Blawnox Upholstery above!). http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29094412/list/Decorating-with-Chinese-Antiques---Design-the-Ultimate-Beach-House This might not be the style which you are seeking, but similar mix and match old and new concepts can also be applied to many other style homes - see for example photo's from the Dream House project (a 7,000 sq.ft. Frank Lloyd Wright inspired prairie house which from the outside looks much like the world famous Robbie house). Completely different from the beach house example above, but nevertheless merging the old and the new in interesting ways. http://www.houzz.com/projects/594005

Its a really lovely room! what a great place for kids to share. I like kids sharing rooms. I think you need another colour to tie it together. I would suggest a blue tone.... teal, navy blue, duck egg blue. to tie it together. Its a little to pale and looks sparse, but actually isn't. I would leave everything exactly as is, BUT, paint the back wall behind the bed teal and find a simple navy blue wall decal that is fun and kid- like maybe one with a sillouette of a boy and girl playing. I would paint the wall behind the sofa duck egg blue. Then I think it would suit both kids more and look more kid friendly. the blues will balance the pink and cream, but because you have a pale carpet i don't think it will look too dark. don't worry about making it totally kid like, its a room they will grow with, not a kindergarten, and it also needs to peaceful and restful for sleeping. besides with their art on the walls and bright toys everywhere it soon looks bright and kid like. Good luck!

This is a fabulous room. It oozes a bygone charm that you would lose by adding false ceilings and tube lights. Please don't! Go all out to preserve this magnificent floor and the beautiful furniture. That mirror is superb, as is the old painting. Keep the wall colour as is and change the upholstery after polishing and keeping the beautiful wooden furniture. The upholstery is mismatchedat present. But the different styled armchairs look very comfortable. Keep them. No modern furniture will give you such comfort. When you re upholster, refrain from choosing firm foam and such nonsense. It is far better to have good quality down or cotton, which moulds to the body shape. Invest in a high quality traditional patterned Persian or Kashmiri carpet for a restrained stroke of colour. Your upholstery should pick up colours from this carpet. So should the curtains. Please never even consider vinyl blinds, horizontal and vertical. If you tamper with this room and remodel it to be 'modern'- you will lose a treasure.

Ankur, 2 designers - RnD Atelier and Rupal here are from Nagpur you may try reaching out to them . There are many others whom you can search on professionals page in Houzz. 1- Project Size: Yes and No, usually any architect will like to contemplate on the project size before committing. You may have to ask from few of your chosen architects. 2- Creativeness: If anyone has taken up a project they are expected to be putting in their professional creativeness. 3- Fees: Really varies a lot approx 50-500 per sqft. There are few students and part timers who would do a project for lesser.It's better you engage in a discussion with few architects and ask for their prices rather than guessing. 4- Iterations : Yes and No, usually designers will keep in mind a few iterations before providing an estimate. But if the numbers of iterations are way too many they may have to discuss the fee again with you. 5- Precautions: Do not consider an Architect /Designer fee as a one time fee only. They provide a service that stays with you and family for a life time. A small mistake in the plan will stay with the home for ages. Be as transparent as possible. Don't fall for online marketing gimmicks. Anyone who is cheap is for a reason. Word of mouth or personal recommendations are a good way to select any service provider. Be thoroughly prepared with what you need in terms of layout . See around, take pictures of what you like and present it to them in your discussions. Get involved - but that doesn't mean that you should interfere too much with their expertise. Its a creative art and any professional worth his salt should do a better job if they are given creative freedom . 6- If your entire focus is on the price you will push the professional to look in the project as cost project rather than a design project. Please avoid that mistake. And finally you have this great forum where you can always take a second opinion . Thanks, Nitin Cornerstone Designs, Bangalore.