It's difficult to tell from the photos if there is room for an island.

Can you state the dimensions of the room?

and a sketch plz.

You need to consult with a structural engineer or someone who knows where your load bearing walls are. Try and open up the arches as much as possible and then square them off. Paint all your walls white - maybe Dove White would work well with your cabinets?

What is behind the wall with the wine bottles ?

Even if you remove the wall I don't see the point in an island down there. Isn't an island supposed to add another work surface in the work triangle area? Keep the wall and with the money you save replace the kitchen floor.

Get used to it, it's a fashion trend like black or very dark grey walls. Dark is going to be around a lot. Dark green is coming back too!

Tribble, I like dark, but not in my kitchen. I want to be able to see which fingers I'm slicing when I prepare the salad.

IMO, dark walls only suit rooms with lots of natural light, or media rooms. Not for depressives, either. Nevertheless, it is a trend.

The dark walls are an easy fix I am not sure about an island without an actual detailed floor plan I can’t help but IMO there will have to be walls removed as far as I can tell and that will create no end of havoc with a sunken DR. I know the arches are element of the original house but honestly there aare too many for me they just create a very boxed in feeling. I also would change all the flooring to match