branwens_mum's Profile

Paint the walls either white or, perhaps, a light green to soften the granite countertops. I'd also recommend a similar treatment for the cabinets - yes, they may be original to the house but the color is too dark for what you're aiming for and contributes as much as to the dungeonesque feel, if not more so, as/than the walls.

The hardware is fairly straightforward to swap out for something with more shine: the cabinets are fairly boxy and will accept almost any style pulls.

As for the breakfast nook, a minimalist bistro set may be the best you can hope for. A banquette under the window could work, but the seating the may only increase by one or two at most. If you have a dining room, you may be better off holding off until you've completed the painting and hardware.