Just a little ceramic information to share as a potter. Vitrified simply means the clay has become glass like by being fired to its proper maturing temperature. Usually ceramic tile means it is a lower temperature clay like earthenware or terra cotta. Porcelain is fired to the highest temperature and is more vitrified if you will. This usually means it is less porous to to absorb water and harder. Low fired ceramics with glazes much darker or lighter than the clay body will show chips easier. Rectified has to do with making the edges precise enough to fit smoothly together for less grout lines. So porcelain cost more to produce but it is more sturdy. All clay tiles should be vitrified.

Tsilanko, I would always recommend professional installation where needed. But what I am doing here is suggesting that WHEN you are planning to build or renovate, to consider how your plans will affect you in 20 or 30 years time. Split levels are very hep when you are young. A kitchen 3 steps down at 30 is rarely a problem, but might be a hazard at 60, or, as Marjie1059 suggested, if you break a leg. ... All my parents' homes were terrible for old people. They were forced to move to a bungalow in extreme old sge because the location and design of their home was more suitable for an active young couple with a large family than for an elderly couple with stroke disabilities. I would not want to move again, so my present home has features built in that make ageing in place simpler. Mostly small changes, like grab rails, and lever handles on doors and faucets. A major disability suddenly suffered requires major changes if permanent. I did look at this because it came up in the discussion, but if you look at the heading, Planning for Disability, it means just that. Plan ahead so you don't have to make expensive changes later on. But thank you for your advice, yes, major changes are not in the DIY domain.

Keya, glad you decided to take the one reader's idea about moving the armoires in front of windows that you don't need and giving the bed a wall of its own! And, yes, you can have Roman shades on one wall and layered drapes on the other. When I had drapes made for my tall sitting room windows/doors, I had them use the same fabric for the Roman shades for the smaller windows on the other wall. For me personally, in these older Indian homes with all the odd nooks and niches in the walls, perhaps it would be more soothing to have a light/med tone paint on the walls that blends with the drapes/blinds for an 'uninterrupted' look, and I would use the same color on ceiling and beams. (but that is just my thought) I would start the process with a large carpet with your favorite colors, then choose your Bedcover & cushions, then your wall paint and fabric for drapes/blinds ..Not certain what style you like, but if you really like a particular Ethnic bedcover fabric, you can always have them stitched into curtains or Roman shades too. Can't wait to see the "After" pics!

@ Divya Sreedar. You will have to contact all of the ceramic boutiques that deal with imported tiles in Chennai. Attached below is a photo from AMSET ONE store in trivandrum with the subway tiles on display as I have seen. It takes 3 weeks to arrive from order date. If you like us to deal with the purchase please contact us or you could call them directly to find out.