Les, I absolutely adore your keen eye for details ;-) The door knocker was a wedding gift to us 24 years ago and it hasn't changed it's patina much at all. Even now, in RL, it looks half and half: a mix of shiney brass and antiqued brass. I have never done a thing to it, other than a wipe with a soft cloth (every few years ;-). The plate has our last name engraved on it. I really like the mix. I don't see it as aged but antiqued and, to me, there is a big difference. It's one of my favorite things, so thanks for mentioning it :-)

The first thing to do is get proper lighting. Change bulbs to LEDs in dayligh color which is 3500- 5000K before choosing colors . As for painting the cabinets unless you have done lots of other cabinet painting having them painted by an actual cabinet refinisher will be worth the money as long as you love the kitchen the way it is. Mt advice woulf be to wait 3-6 months and see how it functions before spending money.

Jeffrey Alexander pulls are really nice, without being a huge budget item. They also let you order up to 3 samples (you pay $5 shipping & they give you a $5 coupon). Their website also lets you search by your hole spacing so you won't be tempted by options that won't work. I would check them out - they are a step up from some of the big box stores without being hugely expensive.

Hold the knobs in place on the front and use a screw driver to tighten the screw on the back until tight. Don’t turn the knob itself!!