Something like silver birch trees don't take up too much room but will provide some height and interest. Personally I pick out natives, after asking local garden centres for those which are natural to my area. I've used black mondo grass across the front of my walls with purple fountain grass behind it. The fountain grass really takes the summer heat, doesn't need much water and self-seeds. It's grown slightly taller than me after a few years. I have, what I call a 'survival of the fittest' garden. Over the years, I've experimented with all sorts of plants. Eventually, only those that survive with little help, and almost no extraneous watering, get to stay. One of the key things I did when planting out my garden was to dig down into the soil and lay a mat of used, natural-blend carpet underlay (not the more synthetic types used these days). Just ask someone getting rid of their old carpet- it's easy to come across. Above the carpet underlay I added water crystals, then put the soil back on top. After the gardens have been established, I haven't need to get the hose out since. I do have lots of succulents around the place, some native plants and ornamental grasses. I hope this helps.

I realized i forgot to update what i did with the wall.. Now I know so many people said not to go ahead with it, but i am pig headed and did it anyway. It took me 5 days (about 15 hours to fill in the mortar and then 2 hours to put on 2 coats of paint. I am really happy with how it turned out. I understand it is not quite 'industrial' but i was probably lacking the correct terminology for what i was after (in truth i wasn't sure what i was after, it was more about not wanting the wall to stay in it's current state!)

Reason I asked if you are replacing any appliances is because, if so, a new oven could be installed in cabinet below the cooktop. Do you know if the brick wall where oven currently is located can be removed completely? Is that your plan? If so, this would allow options for additional storage and benchspace. where is your pantry located? Is it adjacent to oven? Good idea to have new island further out to increase kitchen space. Does that mean you would also extend the bench (where sink is located) outward?

I was thinking something like this