What about bench seating - it'll make the two chairs stand out (I think that matching them will be difficult and to use them as a quirky counterpoint could work. Just a thought. Tie everything together with the colour of the timbers using tones rather than identical stains/colours.

For me, it would be colour. Maybe a feature wall for walls around dining, or living, pick colour from your favoured painting, and use same and other colours from pictures for cushions or even some occasional furniture in the brightest colour - I saw this done beautifully in a tarted up house for display - a small seat/coffee table painted and upholstered in an orange mix, which was taken from the splashback (everything else was neutral) and also in a throw for lounge.

Your kitchen looks like it may be original with the house and has had a number of makeovers since it was built. It looks like a builders kitchen, and probably not the highest quality with hinges and runners starting to wear out at a guess. You can't apply a two-pack finish to old doors that have been painted (and repainted) before and expect a perfect finish. I wouldn't buy new doors and drawer fronts in such an old kitchen, but look at upgrading all of the knobs to handles and repainting to work with the materials and colours that you won't be changing, such as the benchtop and flooring. Many kitchens have a life span as things wear out and technology changes. All of the little jobs and upgrades that you have described will be fiddly and expensive due to the labour content. Don't waste too much of your money on upgrades to this old kitchen but save up for a new one. A well designed, new kitchen will make better use of the space, and be designed to give you the storage you need, and house the appliances that you want to make cooking a pleasure. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Uniqwa Stock a similar stool that we can order for you. https://uniqwacollections.com.au/collections/barstools/products/tractor-stool-carved