You could wainscot it, tin tiles. I love the glass with photo on it. You can design your own for the glass. I think that would look awesome, you could wrap around sides as well

Neutral is a good base for everything. But if you aren't careful in adding in the details of texture, pattern, and contrast, it all starts to fade into the background. So you have a good basis for adding in those details.

You need color. Wrap the island in beadboard and paint it in your favorite color. Something fun. Green apple. Barn red. Paint the pantry door the wall color to make it disappear.

The cabinets need crown molding. And less decor up top. Only a couple of large scale items, and none of the words or sayings. They also need light rail and under cabinet lighting. LED tape lighting.

Some patterned textiles would add another layer. A window topper. Some drapes. A rug. Different bar stools.

I'd rather see a pendant over the island than over the sink. The island is the room's focal point, not the sink. Again, something with some texture and color. The one over the sink might work to be swapped to over the island as it is a bit too large in scale for its current location.

Brick doesn't seem to fit so I would remove it, and because your kitchen is so white I would paint the island a little darker gray than your wall color. I would remove all of those "word" sayings in your kitchen ... way too much and too dated. I would paint the dining/kitchenette table black, and you need a different lighting fixture there ... that light over the table is way too big and does not match anything.

I would paint the brick and leave everything else alone and enjoy the space.

I love the 'word' art. It works for you.

Your upgrades look fantastic. If the brick is real, paint it. If it is veneer, either remove it or cover it.

I like the idea above to make the island a color. Any favorite color. You can do red, green, blue, yellow, gray, rust....

Great updates!

Painting the brick would be an easy fix, but otherwise you're either covering it with something or tearing it off and replacing. Could go with some new stone, for one look, or beadboard, for another, or even just plain drywall or cabinet siding. Just a matter of taste.

Thank you all for your input. It is real brick and I like the idea of painting it a color. Totally agree with the crown molding idea. So we will def add it soon. We have lighting under the cabinets already but they were not on when I took the pic. We also have a rug in the kitchen already or were you suggesting another one somewhere? My favorite item in the kitchen is my table and bench/chairs so I definitely don't ever want to paint it....I absolutely love the color of it.

I know what I like for an island, but what I don't know is if any of them would match in our kitchen. Not sure how you all would categorize my kitchen style but I do like the country/farm look and like I said...want it to be more light and airy. Thanks again to all for your honesty and suggestions!

Oh and I believe we used agreeable gray for all of the walls and have an accent wall that runs in the kitchen that's a little darker but can't remember what color