Synopsis: Contractor Jay B. Lane had worked on everything from decks to bathrooms, but he had never before tackled a kitchen remodel. An opportunity presented itself when Lane decided to remodel the kitchen in his own home, which suffered from a shortage of daylight, the absence of an island, and a poor layout. Lane began by changing the layout so that the sink, fridge, and range were within easy access of each other. He did this by removing a wall to create space for the fridge, then adding an island to center the kitchen’s work area. The island is topped with a copper counter and has a built-in range, lighting controls, and a microwave tucked into one side. Daylight comes from a motorized skylight and new windows over the sink. The new kitchen benefits as well from Venetian plaster on the walls and ceiling, and green glass tiles with copper accents that cover the area around the sink.

I got my start as a contractor in 1996 building fences and decks. Over the years, I progressed from doing remodels of bathrooms, entryways, and front staircases to starting my own window and door company. It wasn’t until recently, though, that I got to apply my skills on my own house, specifically my tired old kitchen.

Never having remodelled a kitchen before, I teamed with Melissa McCall of McCall Designs to assist me with the layout. The footprint of this small space was complicated by the six entryways that all converge at the kitchen. On top of that, I really wanted an island a center piece both to define the work area and to offer a place for guests to gather while the meal is being prepared. Of course, storage and natural light were both big items on my list.

Squeezing…