Seems like I am the contrarian. I think the look of the second rug is more to what you seem to be after. You don't seem to love the first one. The monotones are very soothing and it's really okay to have a monotone room, if that is what you like. Decorating is all about you. I like your inspiration picture with the second rug a lot. It's clean and that's what contemporary/modern is all about. The nice thing about a neutral room is that you can change it out when ever you want. If monotone is where your eye is going than my suggestion is you go with your eye. If you should choose to add color, something like the pillow attached would work with the 2nd rug as a color influence. It would bring in another texture. You can just pick any color in the pillow for vases and other accessories. I think the second mirror is more classic than the first. There is nothing wrong with the first as a matter of fact, I feel it has more of a wow factor but I also feel it will outdate itself. I would suggest a lamp with a ligher shade since the tables are dark. I am not sure I would go with silk drapes but once again, they will be fine to use. I just see something more casual in material like a heavy linen or something with gommets (did I spell that right?). Here is a link that might be useful: Pillows

150-200K would be a good ballpark with medium low end finishes. Double it for high end finishes or expensive labor. You're talking about almost every expensive portion of the house that exists, plus all of the expensive mechanicals. You are in CA, which is one of the most expensive locations in which to do any remodeling because of the real estate costs and regulation. Drop back and make sure you really like this house. Because it sure seems like you don't if you want to change so much. And you need to asses your DIY abilities as that can help to stretch your budget. For an older home, the least expensive part of it is usually the purchase price. Even though this isn't that old of a house, it does seem to need a lot of care and feeding. You're going to have to be on board with that being your lifestyle for the next 5-10 years unless you have the budget to do everything up front before you move in.

A pretty picture! Love the colors. I would add a tall glass vase with a few tall flowering branches on one side of the picture and group the lanterns on the other side.The reason for the taller element is because right now I am seeing pretty much everything on the mantel having the same height more or less. The tall branches will help stagger that. If you can, play around with placing one of the lanterns on a small stack of books. Not many, maybe two or three to add some height if the branches need some balance. It doesn't have to match the branches in height, just so there is not a huge differewnce. Your eye will know. The owls can probably be included as another height element somewhere near the vase to add some weight to that side since the vase/glass reads as empty. Maybe add some glass marbles in the bottom of the vase to anchor the branches and add some sparkle. Have fun! I've linked to some pictures of mantels. Take a look and see what you like. You could copy most looks! Here is a link that might be useful: mantels

How far up does the brick go on that fireplace. Looks like you still have sheetrock over some of it. Does it go to the ceiling? If so, I would expose it all, and either tile it or rebrick it. If the fireplace is very old, please have a fireplace expert come and check it out, to make sure it is capable of being a real wood fireplace, and not a fire hazard.