My recommendation would be to sand back the timber and re-stain in a burgundy or black lacquer. Remove the current curved benchtop with one with squared edges. Replace knobs with modern handles. Replace wooden shelving with glass shelving and behind the shelving on the back panel create a feature but covering in wallpaper. Please feel free to contact me if you would like a quote for a design concept.

I agree, paint it white or a very light colour. I would do a light or white coloured Caesar stone bench top. I would clean all the timber on the kitchen doors, but I would not paint them, leave the beautiful grain. I would also look at painting the timber around the cornice and maybe the window frame white. I like to think dark timber and light elsewhere like the walls, window frames etc. Hope you've got nice floorboards.

Depending upon your budgtet - you could go for pewter - it develops/has a patina that darkens (though if you get it unsealed your up for polishing). or custom made wrought iron handles with softer finish - perhaps look at http://www.uniquewroughtiron.com.au/wroughtiron.html who have a number of finishes.

We are still finishing but I love how the handles we chose look on the shaker