Better Home Challenge: Project for May

Well, my family will be happy to know that I'll be spending most of my time this month in... the kitchen. (That's #5, in case you're joining me in this crazy challenge.) Maybe I'll find the time to whip up some actual meals while scrubbing, painting and wallpaper stripping. Then again, that could be considered unsanitary...

I did clean up just a bit before taking pictures, but oh boy, does my kitchen need work! Here are my "before" shots. I'm not sure if the horizontal or vertical views are better, so I'll just include them both. From the computer/laundry/family room end:

And from the living/dining room end:

I think the counter below has a secret built-in junk magnet. It's become even worse with all of the painting and repairing going on lately. Does every kitchen have a counter space where everything in the free world eventually lands?

The cabinets all need to be repainted, and some of the knobs have disappeared, too. (How does that even happen?)

And I don't even like to think about how badly the cupboards and drawers all need to be sorted out and organized. To give you an idea, this is the state of just one drawer.

Looks like fun, right?

The wallpaper in this room also must go. It's stained in spots, slightly burnt behind the microwave (popcorn takes 2:30 minutes, not 23:00 minutes), and generally just worn out. Just like the bedroom walls, I'm ready for a change.

Of course, what I'd really like to do is gut the whole thing, buy new cabinets, counter tops, appliances and flooring. Wouldn't that be fun!