I can see them everywhere, and yes, I think they're cool, very vintage - if not over-used, I suppose it could be creepy if there are many faces looking up at you from every corner... But as a detail, absolutely fantastic!

Personally I'd keep it really simple and light. Paint the upper cabinets to tone with the tiles, or think about replacing the doors with glazed ones—more practical than open shelving, but a similar spacious look. If you were feeling really adventurous you could paper the back of them with mirror leaf/silver leaf for a reflective glow that would also open out the space further. I like the idea of painting the lower doors charcoal (or a warmer grey if you prefer), your room looks very bright so it can take it. A vibrant long rectangular image along the end wall to visually widen the space, characterful rugs and some cheerful kitchen paraphernalia/flowers and I think you'd have a lovely space! You're very lucky, it's really just tweaking.

The legs are not just tubes, but incorporate mounting plates at the top for two screws, corresponding to the underside of the cabinet ...If I chop the existing legs I will have just created two pieces of square tubing...There's be no way to suitably secure these to the cabinet.. Though ideally something like this would have been the answer....

I personally don't like the 'colder' lights, wherever they are used (maybe the inside of a fridge is the exception :). ) so would go for 3000 - 2700. The comparison between real daylight and 'cool white' that is sometimes made, is not really correct, to my mind. Daylight is 'softer', gentler than that.