I like the idea of recessed shelving and it would have taken up much less space and keep the room looking open without having the strange looking cabinet. Also, that counter didn't look like the could fit their family for eating like they had been doing in the past. I hope they have another eating area.
Those legs on the table looked strange because of how they were placed too. At least the new flooring, paint and lack of the half wall made the room more inviting. Not a terrible fix, but could have been better.