If you like the open look, take off a few cabinet doors and fill the holes left by hardware. You can show off your pretty things while hiding the cheerios. You can also change the cabinet door look by popping out the center piece and filling it with numerous other, inexpensive options for a different look (e.g., real French country with screen or hardware cloth). Or strip the cabinets and paint them, too.

I dislike curtains in the kitchen, so I either use nothing, or, if privacy/poor views are an issue, put on small half folding wooden doors, with louvres or translucent panels. You can either paint them white to match your range and frig, or use another colors.

It looks as if you may have a dark kitchen. Why not Behr's Marmalade or Cantaloupe slice? Personally, I hate grey kitchens, a trend which is going to date quickly. And you look as if you might be happier with a less minimalist approach. Decorators/stylists frequently have those kitchens with nothing on the counter except $20 worth of lemons, carrots with tops, and 7 artichokes. If your life style wants the appliances out, leave them out.

If you can't afford yet to change the light fixture and want to save for the later redecorating project which could require yet another lighting change, why don't you change your fluorescents to complete spectrum bulbs? The lighting will be warmer and cheerier.

If 5 people eat at the island a lot, you need the chairs. Why not have a table? Inexpensive and attractive ones are easy to acquire or build. or simply keep the island if it works for you. Ignore the Houzz envy for people who have $80K to redo and a kitchen the size of a great room. (though I love to look at them!)