How rough are they? Can you post a pic? A good quality outdoor paint would do a good coverage job. You'd still see some texture.

you can't beat white, it goes with everything, clean and crisp looking, my choice would be fridge top and freezer bottom, better still two separate side by side, if there's room, keep a thermometer in both to check on temp, as the ones in the appliance are usually not accurate,, and check the lights, mine are always flickering on and off when i open the door, buy one with wheels so that you can pull it out to clean

I like the blue touches already in the room, which reflect the brickwork. Agree with lots of creams/ neutrals, just adding some blue in cushions, artwork. Maybe a bluish/cream rug, with a subtle pattern, not a solid color. Also I think the lights are a little lost. The high ceilings could take some quite large shades, maybe drums. And I agree that the central column could be painted to become the focal point as stated. Either white or quite a dark grey/ blue, ( it might darken up things too much, but it's only paint, can be changed). It might be sinful but I think I would replace it with plaster, then paint it. Finally maybe a dash of 60s burnt orange or mustard if you want to want to keep the retro theme.

You can put a pendant in the existing socket then move it over with a long cord to place it over the dining table. This is quite common. You can use surface mounted downlights as well.