Hi iggs85 as it is an older kitchen I would not spend a huge amount of money on a revamp. It is definitely possible to paint laminate but good preparation is vital to ensure the paint 'sticks'. However a quality painter is going to charge you about the same as your resurfacing quote. Using either a painter or a resurfacing company does let you choose any colour though. The biggest disadvantage of the current benchtop is the bullnose which is very dated. From your photo, the colour and pattern look OK but you could get a stone 'overlay' put on it. They square off the bullnose so it looks more contemporary. An acrylic feature panel on the return is another alternative to vinyl planks. It looks like glass, comes in a good range of colours and is relatively inexpensive compared to glass. See http://zenolite.com/range as an example. You can buy acrylic sheets from Bunnings. You could also use pressed metal panels as a feature eg. http://www.wunderlite.com.au/catalogue/details/1/79/pressed-metal-crystal?start=25 Add some new handles on doors and drawers too.

mr google will know

A long track lighting across both dining and living so you can direct the light to whatever you want hi light. A hanging light over the dining table that can be clipped into the track. this would be the most cost effective great way to light up your rooms and it can be powered from an existing ceiling light. I would have two tracks joined into one cheers

It is crucial in your design that you get the lighting right with your cathedral ceiling. Unlike a normal roof there probably isn't a roof space between the ceiling and the roof for an electrician to make changes if you get it wrong. You only get one chance to get it right which is when the house is designed, unless you remove the roof to access the electrical down the track. Don't be like these people who wanted to save money on their lighting design for their cathedral ceiling! Some large lighting retailers offer free lighting design services that is linked to the purchase of their products. If you don't want to be tied to a particular retailer then you need to engage an independent design professional who can read your plans, understand the space and who can understand your retirement lifestyle. Even so, when I do a lighting design for a client I end up creating the lighting schedules from one or two lighting suppliers that I have worked with before, that I know and trust, and who will stand by their products for any future warrantee claims. I would hope that the person you have engaged to design your home would offer a similar service? Best of luck with your budget, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits