i am not an expert but i would think that if the space feels cramped with a table then it would be a selling advantage to provide seating while keeping it open for flow. many people would rather have a nice eat at island than a real table.

It sounds like you're gutting and doing a total remodel. Yes? If so, I think it's too soon to be thinking about focal points and other design features. Get the layout right first. A good layout design will give you good workflow. Search for Marcolo's excellent ice-water-stone-fire post for that. Basically, this means that workflow should be fridge to sink to counter to stove without criss-crossing or other unnecessary steps to prepare food. A good layout will also give you good storage. This means that you have enough space for the things you need and that things are stored at or right next to where you use them. Again, to eliminate a lot of criss-crossing around the room to prepare a meal. Once those items are figured out, then start thinking about focal points and the feel of the room. For example, your cooktop might not end up in a place where it makes a good focal point so don't think about things like decorative hoods yet. Function first. Form follows function.

You need to choose things in order. First, decide what type of flooring you want, since that will run through the whole space. Next choose a cabinet color, whether stained or painted. After that, you can choose countertops, and then appliances, a sink, a back splash and wall paint colors. Then you choose hardware. Don't use a different cabinet color and countertop. Change one or the other, but not both. If you want everything to coordinate with the cherry table, you could do a light natural color hardwood floor, with warm white and cherry cabinets and a white countertop. But that's not going to work with black appliances and a black sink. By choosing a black sink you are limiting yourself, and you'll likely want a black countertop, so you need light cabinets, but that won't look good with black appliances. Decide which elements are most important to you, because I don't see all these things working if you don't have a good plan. Look at photos of kitchens that appeal to you, and look at each element to see what works together.

Here are some photos for you- I love the way a pristine white counter looks with the blue lower cabinets. A Corian counter in Glacier White or Designer White would look great. https://www.corian.com/-kitchen-countertops- I also love the hex tile backsplash tiles, such a welcome change from those boring subway tiles, and in the large size, they don't look bathroom-ish. Also, look how nicely the brass and the stainless play together. Much better than a matchy-matchy all the same. I could say that is a metaphor for well, I don't want to get in trouble with TPTB. The pendant fixtures are great, and I love the translucent globes. Some people like transparent glass, but I hate glare, it gives me headaches, so I never want want to see the bulbs. But that is just a matter of personal preference. (And aging, by the way. So if granny is going to be coming over a lot, that is something to keep in mind. Odd how that is, with age, you need more light, but you can't abide glare.) Please talk to your wife about the flooring. Some people think tile is harder on your feet and legs, but you can get those cushiony gel mats (like Dr. Scholl's on steroids!) by GelPro for in front of the sink and in front of the stove. https://www.gelpro.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr-CY2YGW7gIVAx6tBh0ePwDGEAAYASAAEgKL2PD_BwE If you drop things like your dinnerware on tile or stone they are more likely to break than if you drop them on linoleum or wood. Of course if you drop them from a height, they'll probably break anyway, as we all know from physics.