Pictures would really help.

Your home is just so lovely, I don't think you should remove all that architectural detail. What are the dimensions of the laundry room? I'm wondering if there is opportunity to turn that into an efficient office space (not legal bedroom.) Maybe you could leave the living room and dining room alone and put that part of the budget into an efficient shower bathroom with stackable laundry so the laundry can become office space or guest space if there's room for even a daybed?

SUper low budget, go for the $28 fixture! The other fixture will give better light, and last longer but not at that price difference. Use an LED lamp in them, that will solve the ladder issue. You should be able to find a bowl or some glass pendant that puts out light like a chandelier, that will fill the room with light and solve the gloom issue. The rule of thumb with track is to not exceed the power limit on the control device. If you put 15- 10 watt LED's on the track that is only 150 watts. Good Luck Jim

Thanks so much everyone. It's funny -- I started this update by pricing new counters (I do love a white quartz with a bit of gray vein) but it's feel so wasteful not keeping granite that is in perfect condition. But maybe that is the best way to go. Painter is supposed to start Monday but maybe I should just cancel. And I do want cabinets up to the ceiling. Eventually. This was a spec condo and I was given a choice of 3 granites and I picked the one that was what I thought was least offensive at the time. I've never really liked it. I thought painting cabinets would help. But if spending the money on painting the cabinets is still not going to make me like my counters--then I should cancel. I'm also going to revisit the lighting--I never noticed that it was yellowish--I used LED strips for a DIY but will upgrade.