Just wanted to say what a fantastic kitchen. So pleased you're keeping it! Formica would be the period correct work surface and can still be bought but may not fit with your budget? I would also look at having a carpenter produce your cabinets. They can be cheaper than off the shelf and would be better build. To save some money you could buy cheap plain carcasses and have a carpenter make doors to match the existing ones that you can then paint. That's what i'd do!

Homes should be about individuality not breaking the bank. Hide the wires consider a good floor covering perhaps a lovely rug and build with what you have and enjoy the experience if you tire then just move much loved pieces to other rooms for a total new look. I love homes that are about the people who live in them makes me want to stay and have a cuppa your small pic here gives that vibe maybe the warmth of the wood in here im not sure but dont go to mad and spoil the feel that you already starting to create by getting to many boring mass produced highstreet junk in there

It may be the case that the fridge is deeper than the carcase if it’s a standard carcase. Do you still have the back in the unit? Re-read it, or do you mean there’s insufficient width as opposed to depth?

I'd take the salt and tablets out of the cupboard, put some kitchen roll on the shelf where the puddle was and see if it still happens. Not something i've heard of before.