I did just what you describe and I'm tickled pink with it. In my case it WAS a load-bearing wall, but that just meant I had to header off the opening. I created about a four-foot archway between the two sections of the (now one)room - making one section the bed area and one the sitting/dressing area. I can't tell you what it costs since I did it myself, but I really don't think it would be that bad, depending on what needs to be done. I had to move a electrical box and add another (to stay up to code) but it was mostly a framing/drywall job. I would say the most important thing is visualizing the feel/scale of the new room as well as new traffic patterns and usage patterns to come up with a good design. In may case I created a couple of new walk-in closets to keep the scale of the resulting room comfortable. I know I've been in several "de-partition" rooms that feel just like that - two rooms with a wall knocked down.

You will probably have to use primer to cover the marker (I think I see "moo" there too?? Is this a dorm room or your own apartment or house? I think a nice pale grey would look great with your furniture and flooring. Maybe check out Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. For the curtains, it looks like you need privacy - maybe wood horizontal blinds? Ikea has some great options for blinds and curtains. Grommet top curtains are nice (clink here) I like wide slat wood or faux wood blinds for light control and privacy (click here Also, your cat is extremely cute! This post was edited by tinan on Sun, Jul 21, 13 at 23:23

Is there a difference between the carpet color and the hall color? Would the new bedroom colors/designs be different? Point being, the change is fine. Use a transition strip. Folks will not see any difference between carpet/laminate and laminate/laminate.

This is a common configuration for apartment buildings and Its actually easier to provide adequate sound separation between bedrooms than between a bedroom and a kitchen, a family room, media room, dining room, etc. and easier than between adjacent rooms. Are you assuming your architect doesn't know how to provide sound separation between floors? If that's the case, we can help but only if you agree to forget everything you think you know about sound abatement in buildings.