First question is: Do you want a table in your dining room area or are you planning on using the dining room space for a larger kitchen and no table? If you still want a table in that space and the kitchen footprint will remain the same, I don't think you have room for an island and instead would use a peninsula. When the wall comes down, I would switch the placement of the stove and the refrigerator, placing the stove on the peninsula and moving the refrigerator over to the stove wall. I would also place the refrigerator at the end of that wall, instead of in the center where the stove was. A counter depth fridge would be well worth the investment as well. You may have room to pick up additional storage along the wall where the basement stairs are by using 12 inch deep base cabinets with uppers above.

I would like to see the floor plan before trying to answer this. Actually an architect should be consulted.

No major preferences. Considering different or low light over the sink, however there is a ceiling beam in the way from keeping it centered with the window. Perhaps I would need to add two but I really don't want to overdo it as the space isn't big. Will be putting in undercabinet lighting. There is a rectangular opening above the cabinets by the fridge. (see current picture). I'm not sure if I should do lights that hang from the faux beam we will be installing on the ceiling or just 1 recessed light over the countertop. The column can't be moved, the base cabinets will just come up to it. At first I wanted all the potlights to line up, now I just want good lighting in our kitchen. All lights will be on a dimmer. HELP! :)

I would place the plant in the corner boosted up on some type of planter or stand