Wouldn't the cost of a new double oven or the Ilve suggested be comparable to some decent $$$ spent on the kitchen or tiles itself? New tiles can be laid over old or even floating timber floor (lighter/darker/black/limed oak) or too much timber? I had timber cupboards too and replaced just the doors with a light laminate timber look finish which made so much difference to the look and I love it! inelew are you just bored with the current kitchen because it is quite traditional? The cost of cutting in the stone bench and purchasing/installing a new oven could be worth weighing up against refinishing the existing cupboards doors or replacing them. Lightening the existing ones either with paint as suggested or limewash...all depends on whether your tastes have changed that much. Do you like or loathe the current set up and is the oven still in good working order?

Hiya! I would treat this as an opportunity to go totally steampunk! Put in a shutter, like the other folks have said, to hide the off centre window... then paint the bricks, and polish up the pipes and add a bunch of non functional complicated looking piping, with gauges and stuff. Of course, it would depend on the rest of your decor... I would also consider bringing the mortar up to brick-face level, before painting. If you went steampunk, you could keep the floor as is; it would fit right in! Get a sheet of copper or copper-look metal and hammer it up a bit and curve it slightly around the cistern IYKWIM, and hammer up a piece for a lid so you have access, (drop on lid, attach sheet to wall with dynabolts). Then paint up the pan in a nice distressed metal look, and seal with enamel clear lacquer, marine grade. Wooden toilet seat and you're 1800's sci-fi swish. I love odd rooms like this, because it's always going to look strange so you can make it spectacularly odd, instead of, 'oh dear, I tried to hide this, but...'

Embrace the timber.., again with some modernising I feel it will transform. Being it's a mans home even better! Definitely give the ceiling and wall above timber a fresh modern white. Keep to sleek lighting - below is from beacon lighting If you feel the floor and timber on walls too much then some simple grey carpet runners will brighten and protect. Be sure to use anti slip mats underneath... With all the older accessories removed just add back again sleek modern pieces like ikeas mirror below.. just be sure the mirror is not directly facing the door (bad Feng Shui) A modern abstract black and white art and your done Definitely get him to live with the timber first and then make a call on it later...

We have these and they’re really comfortable and practical. They clean up easily and can be used outside if you need an extra seat or two for a bbq (but don’t leave them outside). The Eames side chair with Eiffel Tower base. There are other bases. This isn’t our place but it shows them with a coastal vibe. We only have one dining area so we use them for every meal including formal entertaining. We’ve had them for a very long time and they have held up well. But get the originals, not the knock offs. There is a difference and it’s unfair to the designers to knock off their intellectual property. It’s a bit like buying a fake Rolex. https://livingedge.com.au/products/eames-moulded-plastic-side-chair-dsr-white-eiffel-base-alpine-shell I also second what dr Retro said. Love the Masters Chair. It’s a modern classic. I need four additional chairs for my new place and I’d consider them but I need something stackable. There are other great plastic chairs out there and they could be perfect for the type of feel you are trying to achieve. But try them out and make sure they’re comfortable. You and your guests could be sitting in them for hours at a time.