You have all the reasons to redo the house, its very lifeless and looks worn out. I feel creating a separation will terminate the spaciousness of the room. Adding colours will surely help, Since you have a tan color sofa,I suggest grey, white or light blue color on one of the walls. Add some art works of the color you chose for the wall. This room needs some fillers like , books, throws, candle stands tall and lean. YES DON FORGET 1. Mount the tv on the wall make some space on the floor and Fix a large size mirror ( Wooden Frame if you can afford).

I have returned to your website and my original message is no longer here. Sorry, I guess I failed to press "Submit"- the green means go, I guess. My response does not relate to your request, alas, as I am a site planner and see your problem in the visual and environmental context. It is not obvious in the photos how far down the balcony floor is. Does the opening shown begin at typical height of a balcony, say 3-4 feet, or 1 meter? My initial response was to suggest repeating the strong modern architectural lines with a planter or, better yet, a series of planters of the same size and shape across the entire opening, filled with plants of your liking to bring color and fragrance into your space, in place of the great colors of your neighbor's laundry. If you just want to maintain the simplicity, bamboo all across will give you a light evergreen screen that will accept your rainfall, bring rustling music in the wind, and grow perhaps a foot a day (up to its normal height) soon after planting. Decorative glazed pots arranged in rows or clusters down on the terrace floor will bring delight when viewed from within your home, but will occupy your limited space. Natasha Korn at www.triqita,com is the designer and manufacturer of wonderful fabric designs in silk - many bold patterns with bright colors, in sizes from neck scarves to large wall hangings. A thought would be to frame them on glass so the light comes through from behind and hang them on the wireworks outside. Or perhaps a large wall hanging mounted on a large footed frame or a folding 5-6' (2 meter) tall screen that could be placed inside as a room divider, but then when you need to better control your view, place it on your prison wall outside to bring some warmth and glamour to your view. You can reach her directly, I believe, at natasha@triqita.com, her email site. I hope this has offered further food for thought to help resolve your need. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

What a beautiful house, Shahbaaz! I live in a similar house - a 150-year-old colonial bungalow in Kumaon. You have already received lots of excellent advice from better-qualified people, so all I would say is, keep its age and heritage character the central theme. The white tiles do clash, I am afraid ... flooring with terracotta tiles would echo the roof and look lovely. The columns and the arches over the doors and windows are amazing. But I'd say, leave it all chuna-painted - there's a beauty and softness to it. Don't let the painters add too much neel (indigo) in the limewash -- in the hills where I live, they put far too much if I don't watch out and the result is a harsh white. Natural lime has a softer, creamy look.

@corner Stone designs. sorry if I had given an impression it mud slinging. but objectively speaking the suggestion to go for a chimney just because someone asked for it instead of addressing the real issue us not what I intended to do. one has to understand all the negatives as well veggie going in for a decision . just like you have the right to suggest there is nothing wrong in pointing out the issues in the proposed solution. none of us are internet warriors but most of us are "sold" items that we will never need in our life by creating an illusion. I know that dinner call it business but I am not in such one and I have the luxury to call a spade a spade. Even now the person who asked for is not sure in what they want but they think that a chimney will solve the issue. engineering doesn't work that way. unless we know what the real issue us, which isn't clear if it is the smoke or the smell and the your of food cooked, the frequency, the 80/20 utility of the kitchen we are not even close to understanding the problem. my intent is to emphasize the importance of understanding the problem and then look for issue and not provide a ready made solution. we can all suggest something by seeing a picture that fire will come and catch the chef if it is located in the window but do you think that what you say is practical. you may construct this as much slinging be as a novice I have a genuine question. how many houses have such a fire accident. we don't even know if the stove is electric or gas. if it is electric then they just no question of fire. so I encourage you to objectively approach and not see this as a mud slinging thing as that's not the point.