The Dread Laundry (Room) and How to Get Rid of the Popcorn

My least favorite chore is doing laundry. I really just don't like it. I kinda dread it...

I am pretty good at the washing and drying, and okay at the folding, but the putting away? Not so much. And, I have to do laundry in this teency tiny little laundry room that also serves as a kitty potty room AND first dumping place on your way in from the garage AND place to put the broom and the mop and stuff AND where I put all the pantry overflow AND where the iron and ironing board live AND where we put dirty clothes that we are to lazy to take upstairs to put in a bedroom hamper. That's a lot for a tiny little space. And, it's really not pretty...

So, I have decided to make this oh-so-important room my first project that I do MYSELF. I have not asked Mr. Sahm for any help at all. (I think it's kinda freaking him out a little, but I'm hoping that when he gets used to the idea, he'll be proud of me.) And I have gotten a start!
I decided the first thing that had to go was this:

Yucky Cottage Cheesy Popcorn Ceiling!

It was really pretty simple. I did not follow the bazillion step directions that you are supposed to do when removing this stuff. I lightly sprayed it with water and lightly scraped it, being sure to leave a little of the texture stuff on the ceiling. After I was done, I painted it with 2 coats of ceiling paint, and LOOK!

Not a great picture, I know, but look how smooth! The bit of texture you leave on there makes it look like the orange peel texture that is on the walls. In this picture, you can see the ceiling is white and the wall is yellow, but they both have texture. Isn't that so much better than popcorn!?!
Speaking of yellow, I also painted the walls the sweetest yellow- Tigger's Tummy. It was the same color that was in Miss Mae's nursery. My next job is to sand and paint all the baseboards and door trim. They are in pretty rough shape and are going to look so much better after some love and attention. Can you see that little peek of white baseboard sticking out from behing the dryer?So much better!

Here's some of the things I plan to do:

-finish painting trim and door
-paint door to garage with chalkboard paint
-paint wall cabinet white.
-install a countertop over washer and dryer
-purchase or make a "house" for the kitty box that will fit between the washer and dryer and will contain any sand that the kitties want to track all over the place (not that it's a problem or anything...)
-put pretty hooks on one wall for backpacks and jackets
-put up hooks for broom/mop/ironing board behind the door
-organize and decorate
-someday get a new floor


I'm sure more will come up, but that's the plan for now. I'm pretty excited to get started!