I always try to cite the NKBA guidelines, because they are standard for a functional kitchen, and it's better to know all the rules, before we start to bend them. ;) In my own kitchen, on two sides I have narrower aisles than recommended, but it works OK for my layout. My DW opens into a long aisle, not against the island, and the island overlaps the fridge and range by 50% each, so there is step-back space in front of each appliance. Behind the seating I have base cabinets and uppers, providing more space at shoulder height than vertical elements would. My DW is in the prep space between the sink and range, but due to an entry on the other side of the sink, that couldn't be changed. One of the advantages to an island is a second egress--if someone is blocking a path on one side, another person can go around. For instance, if two people are sitting at your island on the long side, anyone entering from the back door can cut through the work aisles, rather than try to squeeze by the second seat. Of course, then you have someone cutting through the work zones, but that might not happen often, if ever.

I would take the shutters off. They are part of a style, but IMO they don't really work well on your house. My top choice of things to do would be to add a front porch where the front door is. I would also do some bright landscaping near the house to disguise the fact that the windows (oddly) don't line up. It would be good to have at least one big tree in the front lawn. They look to be a hallmark of the neighborhood. Mature trees help with house value. If it were me, I'd do a cream siding with maybe black detailing at the windows.

IMO first the TV is too high and irt needs an anchor under it so start there with a lower cabinet that keeps the center of the screen at eye level whaen seated . The add a rug and it will ned to be large to deal with the sectional. Get one with the colors you are wanting IMO hopefully with one color not in that tone but a color to use for accents.The cabinet you show could be used it places the TV about where you have it give or take a few inches. Since you have the cabinet use it. Then the 2 chairs pulled into the spce where the cabinet used to be I think. The pics are abit confusing. Maybe a rug like this

I second the suggestion to see if the water district or the county master gardeners have lists - there could be more options than we know. And they should know which ones do well locally. And I'd start with the tree first. To me at least, that is the most important choice, for so many reasons. And it might make the rest of the plan easier. (You'd think it would be easy to pick a tree, but to me it seems hard to figure out the sizes. If it weren't that they get so big, I'd want an oak. And don't forget citrus - how strict are these rebate people? Or avocado? I mean, food is important too.) There are other ways to block heat from windows. When I was little, we had a trellis with podocarpus - and, I think that also saved the windows from baseballs a few times! Podocarpus grows pretty fast I think. Ours was in a narrow bedding planter right near the house. Trellises and vines can add dimension pretty much anywhere you want it. I also am a big fan of awnings. You could get any color you want, I should think. Or if you like to sit outside, you could put a table and an umbrella in front of the window near the garage. (Somehow I feel like the tree should go to the right side of the lawn. Somehow, that speaks to me. Sort of in the center-right spot. Hmm, I wonder if it should go towards the sidewalk, or be close to the house. I guess that depends which kind you get, etc. Maybe the master gardeners can help with all that.) I hope you will find something you're really excited about - trees are so important! Your yard is a very nice shape and I'm sure it will come out well.