I don't have experience with leather kitchen handles, but I own horses, who in turn are accompanied by many leather accessories, and some leather furniture. Unless handles are treated/finished in some uniquely protective way, I can't see them being functional for kitchen use. I thought about maybe just display cabinets, but my DD's first saddle, on display in my home, molds the second I don't stay on top of treating/cleaning it.

2 story home with beige hardiplank siding, white wood trim and accents, stone has some red in it (photo included). Our next door neighbors are chocolate brown and a medium sea/sky blue. We are away from the ocean but live in a beach town on Vancouver island. Lots of direct sun in the summer (front/rear house exposed) and fairly rainy winters. I like the idea of a change perhaps Navy, my wife would prefer keeping the current colours. There is also concern over fading with the darker pigments. Thanks in advance

I'm not a pro or anything so take my advice for what it's worth :) You do have a few options, from what I can tell. You could put the sofa against the long wall, a small bench or chair under the window, and a chair or two facing the sofa. You could also move the desk under the window, if it's something you use. An area rug that extends under the front legs of the seating arrangement will separate the living area from the kitchen. Some folks on this website would be happy to provide some sketches, if you post the room dimensions. If that's not possible, a photo looking toward the kitchen might be helpful too, to give more specific advice.

Lighting like yours is way out of fashion now. It also happens to provide some of the most even, easy-on-the-eyes lighting possible for any work area. The only gripe I have with it is that the frosted diffuser panels usually used yellow after a couple of decades and need to be replaced. I'm the kind of person who prefers seeing to looks, and as my eyes get older that's ever more true. I do NOT like recessed lights; you need stacks of them to get something even close to even light, and then all those holes in the ceiling leak heat unless you're really careful. If I had your lighting setup in my kitchen, I'd update the fluorescent fixtures with modern electronic ballasts and new high-CRI lamps, which are about as efficient as most LEDs and better than many. Then I'd put in new diffusers, and enjoy my bright, evenly lit kitchen for another 10 years or more.