Beautiful table, re upholstering the chairs and updating the area where they are would be a good start, add some colour to,the room and a floor rug. when I saw the first picture I thought paint it but not so sure once I saw the lovely carved legs I became stuck on the decision. I painted my traditional dining table and changed the area it was in but mine was nothing special, a reproduction made of rubber-wood, beautifully made table but no vintage piece of furniture .. I did a story on it in Houzz called painting a table if you wanted to have a look. Another option could be to paint the chairs as well reupholstering them but leave the table as is. Good luck, hard one

A new footprint is the best answer. As okloiuse said the existing dining area can become the kitchen. This allows for good flow of foot traffic through this busy area and access all round the kitchen if you have an island. The area is not big but if it is well thought out in terms of storage it should work really well. Your biggest cost will most likely be in moving your plumbing fittings and electricals especially if you have a concrete slab floor. Opening up the doorway between living and dining areas would make the room bigger but may require an engineers report. As we do not know your budget these may be costs that are outside your current budget. If it is something you wish to do get some prices in so you know how much you will require for the full project. great advice above. Good luck

I was told to bend arms at the elbow then have forearms parallel to the floor with hands outstretched - that is a comfortable/ergonomic bench height for me. My sister did this and no sore back working in her kitchen:) The sink - arms stretched down and hands flat on base of sink = comfort. Chairs are made to suit the male proportions -higher- so generally to get comfortable women (as usually women are shorter from ankle to knee) - have to cross their legs so the hips can relax. (I have seriously thought of cutting just 2cm from our chair legs )

The whole place has that 'of a certain period' look , but I suspect it can be done . The 'reverse' side of the bench in pic 1 has to go -- it looks cheap veneer that has overstayed its welcome ! Black or white gloss Formica or similar would lift that . The lino would need be modernised -- maybe tiles , maybe just 50 year newer lino , or wood planks would look mutual and modern , and reference the benchtop too . The wall tiles ditto -- remove and replace . Gloss white or black or charcoal . Or a colourful splashback , either the full width or maybe as a centrepiece 1.5-2 metres long , in a red or green or yellow or similar . Above that paint in ( I shiver as I write this ) grey . Maybe a 'frieze' of contrasting but complementary subway tiles , attached vertically to add some bulk . Ordinarily , I'd suggest cupboards or even shelves or a display cabinet above that , but anything added would look so out of place it would be hard to pull off , unless you matched the timber benchtop , and that would be difficult . And presumably change the cupboard handles -- a trendier stainless or chrome design would tie in with the sink unit .