O.T. Do not disrespect or underestimate small kitchens. The original kitchens on my tract house street were horrible by current standards, but these twinsie little pullman kitchens with doors on both ends nevertheless allowed post-WWII moms to make family meals from scratch, can and freeze garden produce, and host card parties, garden club meetings, and extended families at holidays. I've been told as much by the older residents. DH and I remodeled the original so nicely without adding an inch of actual space that it served me from 1976 to last year when we finally took a sledgehammer to it. Guests at my dinner parties joked that it was like the clown car from which so much entertainment emerged even if it appeared to hold so very very little. But I had to have rules and one was that no one could be in the space with me when I said I needed to be alone. We installed a long countertop which allowed me to plate things before serving and which accepted mounds of dirty dishes afterwards. Cleanup was also a one-person activity. No one was allowed to stand around to talk; guests could stand at either door if they really wanted to, but no, no, no, do not come in. The work triangle was a long obtuse triangle that covered the entire room. But the zones were there, crisp and sharp and functional.

Pony wall makes no difference for function, but I was trying to hide some of the dish mess and give you a separate clean-up area, where there is no zone crossing during prep and cooking time. It wouldn't be difficult to extend the pony wall to the ceiling. There are windows flanking the range--I just forgot to remove the label. It is open concept, with easy interaction between the cook(s) and anyone in the LR, but it sounds as if that's too much interaction for you. I feel the same--we closed up a wide pass-through from the kitchen to the LR when we bought our house. I also switched the door and window in the DR (door could be a single or French door). Accurate plan: M/L flipped to the other side--I don't think you could have seating at the island, except for a seat on the end, unless you cut the top at an angle (red lines). the entry from the deck would need to be a single door, 60" French doors, or single with side lights: Eta, with the kitchen and DR flipped, you could have a deeper, framed pantry wall, with a coffee center or bar in the middle section. Drawing the plans is no problem--I just rearrange boxes in my Paint program, but all the rearranging of the windows and doors on the back wall might be more than you want do. Good luck! :

Lots of options to decorate your large wall. Large statement piece of your favorite art, gallery wall of artwork, neutral or colorful would work. Custom mirrored wall or decorative mirror is another option. Stacking two or three mirrors horizontally would be a good look. in your space. I personally would leave the chandy as is as I like the metal contrast. Depends on the look you are going for. Do what you like.

Don't worry about the different top. Not an issue and done all the time. Looks great. Nice and neutral...and beachy....color of sand and fog. You have a very nice white tile backsplash. It's the decorative tiles that are throwing things off. Paint that strip of dark trim (not the grout) a pretty shade of blue using epoxy paint. Replace your stools in that color blue and swivel as suggested. Or install a new white backsplash. White brings out the two counters nicely. Here's a nice color scheme for your space. The gray and warm tones work together with white and a touch of blue. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/this-malibu-beach-house-is-quintessential-california-contemporary