GM Houzz Friends,

My home got flooded and my vision was to remove the kitchen wall to open it up to living room and build a large island. With great disappointment, the builder told me it would cost 60k to remove it because of the water pipeline to the upstairs bathroom and because it holds up to the house. I do not want the old island like I had see picture below. What can I do with that wall? He said I could make it smaller but I think it would look weird? Thoughts? Inspiration pictures would be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and to help I am at a loss with thoughts.