if it were a simple rectangular room it might be possible but we need to understand what's already there....it's looks like there are angled walls and doors leading to other rooms and a central support structure...can your friend post a plan of the whole house with dimensions

This is the same home that 'beaumitchell' posted earlier this month.

Yes! that is the one! thanks for providing. Reconfiguring the kitchen only but my understanding is they'd like to make it rectangular. Original poster is struggling with the tech of Houzz. ;/

Yes there is angular walls, like honeycomb

Photos of space, from real Estate site.

My suggestions. Two options:
Assuming that you use the dining room as a dining room. Install a breakfast bar between kitchen and family room, at the half wall. And install more storage where noted. Plus small island.
Or , remove the half wall and install a large island with storage and room for sitting. You will still require a supporting pier, but this could be incorporated into the end of the island.
You could put a dining suite in the family room, with a small lounge or single lounge chairs.

You have the height with ceiling to raise the floor in the family room. simple timber joists will do this.

Note: with raising the floor in the family room, the door to outside will need replacing.

Because we are obsessed with all things interiors, we thought we’d share with you some of our favourite ways to update your kitchen.
While you may want to renovate your entire kitchen, there are a few things that you can change that will instantly transform it.
If you’ve got a spare weekend, we can show you how to get the most out of a few simple changes!

Paint or Replace Cabinetry

If you want huge results fast, then our first tip is to update the kitchen cabinetry. We find that one of the easiest things to do is to paint the cabinetry! There are some amazing new paints on the market now that are specifically designed for the kitchen area. And if applied following the manufacturer’s instructions, your friends and family will never guess that it’s paint – they are seriously that good!
But if you have more room in the budget and your kitchen structure is in good condition, you can have a cabinetmaker replace the doors and surrounds. Once they have measured and you have chosen a finish, the cabinetmaker will build the new doors offsite and return to install them. So there is basically only a few hours of downtime. Winner!!

Create a New Benchtop

So if you are going to the trouble of replacing or painting your cabinetry, it makes sense to replace the kitchen benchtop as well. Again, updating this will have a huge impact on the overall look, and can be done at the same time as the cabinetry update.
With similar options to the cabinetry, you can now buy specific kitchen benchtop paint. Giving you the option to completely update your kitchen in a weekend.
Or again, if you have a more generous budget, replacing it with a new one will give you an entirely new kitchen.

Design Tip – Think about things like maintenance, longevity and style when choosing your benchtop. If you’re a busy family, something like a high-maintenance marble may not be optimal. Maybe try engineered stone instead. Or if you love a more organic or rustic vibe, go for a solid timber benchtop to add interest. Just make sure your style doesn’t override day-to-day practicality.