It is just that this is a large and costly project and getting ideas from a pro is not a bad suggestion, but you will be far ahead of the game if you have done your homework before hiring someone to design the space. The first thing I always do is determine my budget. I live in a world where I can't just get anything I want, so I need to know what I can spend and what is reasonable to spend before I start a project. The second thing I do is figure out my pain points prioritize them. I don't have enough cabinets, the cabinets I have are not accessible, I don't have enough counter space. I don't like the look of the cabinets I have. Then I have to meld the two together to match needs, wants and budget. I generally end with just the needs being met and have to give up on most, not all, of the wants. The other things to consider are how long you plan on being in the space and the ROI of the investment. I own a home that is worth about $200 k. I could completely gut and redo the kitchen and I may be able to get $220 k when I sell. Hmmm - spend $60-$100 k for a $20 k return. Nope. Not doing it. Now for your space. I would first check to see what is going to happen to the floors if I decide to change the footprint of the kitchen. Islands are popular, but not always the best answer. My sister got a huge island in her kitchen and told me just a few weeks ago that if she could design her kitchen again she would not do an island. I had an 8' x 3' peninsula in my last kitchen and it worked. I have never found another kitchen that worked as well as that kitchen did. I can't fit that into my current space and I miss my big open space. My other sister has a two tiered peninsula and it is too tight and no one ever uses the breakfast bar seating. If this were my home, given that I always have a tight budget, I would consider moving the dining area to the kitchen end of the space, keeping the kitchen layout, but changing the counter to a single level and placing a couple of stools that would fit under the counter along the outside edge. I would have a door added to the back of the corner cabinet for better access to the cabinet space. (I hate corner cabinets). If I could make it squared off instead of curved without messing up the floors I may consider that option - straight and possible longer - as long as the area I designated for dining space. I am guessing that the closet in the kitchen is where your furnace is hiding and it isn't just an open space. You can't add anything permanent on that wall and block access to the furnace. You could add a rolling island with a butcher block top on that wall, but the wheels may damage your flooring. I would plan on only moving it when access to the furnace is needed. A bakers rack on that wall would also work. Knowing the exact dimensions would make it easier to determine what could or could not work in the space.

That really isn't a floating wall - it's connected to a soffit and continues down the hall to another doorway. I would not come out from that towards the staircase - it will look like part of your kitchen is in a hallway. Have you actually cut open the wall to see what/how big/where all these pipes are on the inside?? They are most likely not spread all through that long wall. Maybe you can remove a bunch of the wall, just leaving behind some posts ( there surely are some structural columns inside there ) and then you can be more creative with cabinetry Sort of like these maybe?? The key is to truly know what can and can't be done structurally in your home. You will need an architect to help with the structural changes since it might be a load bearing wall. You definitely have a great space to work with!

White is not going out IMO. love a white kitchen with enough contrast. I can show you thousands of ideas. But first, what’s your style? What aesthetic are you after? Also, white doesn’t have to be 100% white. We can incorporate lots of woods, blacks, greens, you name it!! I agree regarding moving the cooktop. I might put that on the fridge wall and put the fridge where the double ovens are. But the layout seems decent. How do you feel about it’s functionality?

What is the overall style of your cabinets? Hard to suggest lighting without knowing more of the overall look. That said, here are my current favorite pendants. You can get a small pendant for the peninsula and a large 18" or 21" diameter one for the table. And 4 different finishes, to work with most color plans.