Two Kitchens, One Home
Designer: Gladys Shanstra, AKBD
T h e S e t u p
From the very beginning, this new-construction project was conceived not as a kitchen with a supporting space, but as two fully realized kitchens working in tandem. The homeowners envisioned a home where entertaining, everyday family life, and serious cooking could all happen without compromise. For this family – and especially for a homeowner deeply rooted in Indian culinary traditions – the answer was a dual-kitchen approach: a welcoming front kitchen designed for gathering and hosting, and a highly functional back spice kitchen built to handle the intensity, aromas, and efficiency of daily cooking and occasional next-level entertaining. Also known as a scullery, dirty kitchen, or double-kitchen, this kind of dual kitchen setup is a growing trend among clients who value both high-function cooking spaces and relaxed, guest-friendly kitchens.
Rather than treating the secondary kitchen as hidden or purely utilitarian, both spaces were designed with intention, warmth, and identity – connected by thoughtful circulation, visual balance, and a shared respect for how the family truly lives.
Front Kitchen
The main kitchen sits at the heart of an open floor plan, visually connected to the family room, bar, and dining room beyond. This is the space guests see, gather in, and linger around – a kitchen meant to feel relaxed and inviting rather than overtly “worked.” Natural light, layered materials, and an unfussy sense of comfort guide the experience, while subtle architectural decisions ensure the space functions effortlessly for daily life as well as larger gatherings.
Design Challenges to Be Solved:
- Accommodating both a generously sized island and a dining component without blocking circulation to the adjacent dining room
- Delivering ample storage and functionality without traditional upper cabinets
- Reconciling architectural elements – beams, hood placement, lighting, and ceiling geometry – that could not all align perfectly
- Layering functional lighting throughout the space without relying on recessed can lighting
- Creating pantry and utility storage within a kitchen that was never intended to be the primary cooking workhorse
THE REMODEL
- Design Solutions:
- Replacing a standalone breakfast table design with a custom banquette integrated into the island layout, preserving circulation while offering multiple seating options
- Incorporating tall, shallow display cabinets with reeded glass to visually anchor the range wall, while concealing deeper utility storage within adjacent side-access cabinets
- Prioritizing visual hierarchy by centering the hood as the primary focal point, then adjusting beam spacing and ceiling elements to “focus the eye” into a cohesive whole
- Designing a layered lighting plan that relies on decorative fixtures, task pendants, integrated shelf lighting, and wall washing rather than recessed cans
- Distributing storage creatively – including deep island drawers, concealed tall cabinetry, under-banquette storage, and under-counter refrigeration – to support function without cluttering the room
Final Thoughts:
Emily is a strong believer that a finished space should be a reflection of the homeowners themselves, which was a strong theme with this bathroom. This project proves that great design can incorporate diverse personal preferences into a single, cohesive vision. Every surface material and every detail was analyzed deeply. The white tile has 9 different patterns that were laid out intricately by the tile installer to ensure there weren’t two of the same pattern next to each other.
The result is a space that is modern, warm, and uniquely theirs — designed not only for beauty and performance, but also for personal expression.
- 20′ x 12′
- Select Custom Cabinetry – White Oak, Maple & Walnut – Skinny Shaker
- Taj Mahal Quartzite
- Soapstone
Reeded-glass display cabinets flanking the range
Concealed utility storage integrated into drywall columns
LED wall-washing lighting integrated into floating shelves
Custom banquette with built-in under-seat storage
Durable faux-leather banquette upholstery for everyday use
Pull-out hamper cabinet for kitchen linens
Apron-front sink with integrated drip rail
Decorative lighting plan in place of recessed can lights
Spice Kitchen
Designer: Gladys Shanstra, AKBD
T h e S e t u p
Tucked just behind the main kitchen, the spice kitchen is a fully independent workspace designed for efficiency, intensity, and precision. This is where most of the cooking happens – a space intentionally equipped to handle strong spices, high heat, frequent use, and a large collection of ingredients and tools. Doors allow the room to be closed off when needed, while thoughtful circulation keeps it closely connected to the front kitchen and the rest of the home.
Despite its purpose-driven nature, the spice kitchen was never meant to feel industrial or secondary. Instead, it draws inspiration from old-world country kitchens, blending warmth, character, and craftsmanship with modern performance.
Design Objectives :
- Create a fully functional, standalone kitchen capable of handling daily Indian cooking and intensive food preparation
- Organize spices, appliances, and tools so everything is accessible, intuitive, and close at hand
- Concentrate cooking, cleaning, and prep along a single wall to minimize movement and mess
- Preserve a sense of openness and light despite the kitchen’s hardworking role
- Balance modern appliances with a timeless, cottage-inspired aesthetic
THE REMODEL
- Design Challenges To Be Solved::
- Replacing a standalone breakfast table design with a custom banquette integrated into the island layout, preserving circulation while offering multiple seating options
- Incorporating tall, shallow display cabinets with reeded glass to visually anchor the range wall, while concealing deeper utility storage within adjacent side-access cabinets
- Prioritizing visual hierarchy by centering the hood as the primary focal point, then adjusting beam spacing and ceiling elements to “focus the eye” into a cohesive whole
- Designing a layered lighting plan that relies on decorative fixtures, task pendants, integrated shelf lighting, and wall washing rather than recessed cans
- Distributing storage creatively – including deep island drawers, concealed tall cabinetry, under-banquette storage, and under-counter refrigeration – to support function without cluttering the room
Design Solutions:
- Designing the kitchen as a true one-wall workspace, aligning the range, galley workstation sink, dishwasher, and prep zones for maximum efficiency
- Creating a dedicated spice wall with shelves tailored to the homeowner’s specific containers, paired with a deep appliance garage concealed beneath
- Reclaiming space from adjacent wall cavities to allow appliance garages to recess fully out of sight
- Taking select cabinetry to the ceiling to create visual continuity while limiting unreachable storage to areas where it made sense
- Selecting a restrained material palette – deep green cabinetry, walnut accents, honed natural stone, and handcrafted tile – to bring warmth and authenticity to a highly functional space
- 20′ x 13′
- Select Custom Cabinetry – Maple & Walnut, Forestwood & Accessible Beige – Flat w/ applied edge moulding
- Taj Mahal Quartzite
- Soapstone
Dedicated full-height spice wall with custom-sized shelving
Deep recessed appliance garage beneath spice shelving
Five-foot Galley Workstation sink with integrated accessories
One-wall cooking, prep, and cleanup layout
48-inch range top with oversized ventilation hood
Side-by-side steam oven and speed oven
Built-in coffee and tea station with instant hot water dispenser
Furniture-style island with highly customized drawer storage
Ventilated cabinetry for bread and produce storage
Glass-front serving cabinet with walnut interior and wallpaper backing
Two Kitchens, One Seamless Way of Living
Together, these kitchens form a system rather than a hierarchy. On a daily basis, family members move easily between them – entering the spice kitchen from the hall, cooking and prepping where it makes sense, then gathering in the front kitchen to eat, talk, and connect. The spaces blur and separate as needed, adapting to both quiet routines and lively gatherings.
What makes this project special isn’t just the presence of two kitchens, but how thoughtfully each one was designed for its purpose – respecting culture, honoring function, and creating beauty without excess. In the end, the result feels less like a design statement and more like a natural extension of how this family lives: intentional, welcoming, and deeply personal.