more pics

It would help you to get structural estimates to help form your direction. You have two pinch points created by the load bearing post and the load bearing pantry which limit what you can do with the vast open space in the kitchen. If you eliminate that post you could do two arches like the second pic you just posted. Or you could square it off and finish like Debbi’s suggestion. Eliminating all would likely be costly so it would be good to talk with a contractor. What you do in the kitchen is integral with that post. Wall removed. Pinch point at post. The island could extend to the edge of the 2” drop if post is removed. You could have 3 openings. Smaller island. Wall and narrow DR cabs left intact Small square island. Move sink to the left of current DW location, square up old sink corner, add prep sink to island. I didn’t have time to mock-up this last one . I’m concerned about the 2” drop in floor level if the wall is taken down.

Kilim beige? Is there a lot of natural light in the kitchen? That can affect colors you choose. From what direction does it come?

does your penninsula countertop hang over for bar stools or not, I say that because if you do built in seating it could be different based on that. heres examples,like the idea of bench seating so the bench can also be storage.