Mirando moderna cocina y sala de estar

My wife and I are both from Europe and we just bought a ranch house in New England. We would like to give a european/modern look to our kitchen/dining (~220 sqft) and living room (~200 sqft). Kitchen cabinets are original, and were painted in dark grey by the previous owner. Walls are painted in light grey. Nice granite counter top, can’t be removed without breaking. We are looking for ideas to update kitchen doors and style without changing the layout and cabinets themselves. We both like to cook (especially bread) and spend a lot of time in the kitchen/dining with friends. Refrigerator and stove will eventually be replaced with stainless steel. We would like to install a back splash (tiles preferred), add improve lightning (what is the best option: recessed lights vs. hanging lights?), replace dining table and chairs and add some decoration. Living room has a wood fireplace that can’t be relocated. We also would like to add shelves, possibly rug, update the sofa and other furniture and decoration. Don't like the crowded feel. I just added the Monte Carlo Clarity Ceiling Fan (not on the pictures) in the living room. Thinking about cove lights or other way to make the ceiling look taller in the living room. Please, provide us with the brand and model of the proposed pieces (if IKEA, please provide with the model name). Ceiling height is 90in. Living room is exposed to the South. Can provide with more detailed plan and drawings.

We will be happy to see these things in the projects:
KITCHEN/Dining
1. Material, color, style for the backsplash
2. Lightning design
3. Dining table. We like the idea of Bar Height or farm dining table but all ideas a welcome
4. Kitchen floor - style and material (now: linoleum). Dining hardwood floor will stay
5. Interior decoration
Living room
1. Couch(es) styles and other furniture. We like the feel of leather
2.Open Storage ideas for some books, dvds, gifts. Shelves etc
3. Lights
4. Interior decoration
Optional
Ideas to Remove/Redesign the wall and opening between kitchen and living room
Wall colors