I wouldn't need/want a desk as I use a laptop, and I'd be worried a desk would become a clutter zone. A pantry -- that would be far more useful. To me. You obviously use your desk, so perhaps you would miss it? As for a landline phone, it can be placed on any counter.

No desk. A pantry would be so much more useful. As for the phone, get a cordless model with several handheld bases. The main unit can go somewhere out of the way, and you can put anyone of the bases on the kitchen and it will take up very little space.

I love my desk in my kitchen. When I am cooking and I am waiting for something, I can get work done quickly without leaving the room plus I still feel connected to everyone instead of being in another room. If you don't have any other area in your home for an office, I think you would miss the convenience of it. One suggestion I do have would be to consider putting doors on the upper cabinets to make it look less cluttered and would give you more space for your papers, etc. Right now the shelves look a little cluttered and really serve no purpose, add doors since you will be remodeling anyway, they will do it for you at the time of the remodel. As far as the phone, like others suggested, cordless is the way to go and it is so small, could go anywhere on your counter or stay on the desk if you decide to keep it.

P.S. what about using the space to the right of the desk for the pantry, where the existing cabinets are now, would be perfect, or do you really need the cabinets, just another idea.

P.S.S. sorry for so many comments but I was looking at your picture again and another suggestion, if you decide to keep the desk area, I would get another chair, something less "office" looking, there so many pretty looking ones on the market now.