Gladys Schanstra’s “Two Kitchens, One Home” Project Named Finalist in Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove Kitchen Design Contest
It takes a truly special kitchen to capture the attention of a global panel of elite design experts. That’s why we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Drury Design owner and Creative Director Gladys Schanstra has been named a finalist in the prestigious Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Kitchen Design Contest!
A Competition on the World Stage
The Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Kitchen Design Contest is one of the most esteemed celebrations of kitchen design in the world. Since its inception in 1993, this biennial competition has championed premier design professionals across the globe for their remarkable kitchen designs.
This year’s contest drew an incredible 1,500 entries from 10 countries and 42 U.S. states, with more than half of participants entering for the very first time. After rigorous deliberation by a panel of seven esteemed industry leaders, Gladys was selected as one of only 43 professional finalists worldwide. The official announcement was made via videocast on May 8, 2026, and has been covered by Kitchen & Bath Business and Yahoo! Finance.
💡 The Award-Winning Vision: Two Kitchens, One Home
So, what does it take to stand out on a world stage? For Gladys, the answer has always been the client. Her work is defined by a deep understanding of how people truly live, blending striking, artful design with the real-world functionality required for daily life.
This philosophy shines brilliantly in the Burr Ridge, Illinois project that earned her this finalist distinction. The new-construction home was conceived not as a single kitchen with a supporting space, but as two fully realized kitchens working in tandem. For a family 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.
Gladys approached this dual-kitchen setup with intention and warmth. The front kitchen sits at the heart of an open floor plan, visually connected to the family room, bar, and dining room beyond. Thoughtful design decisions elevate the space: tall, shallow display cabinets with reeded glass anchor the range wall, a custom banquette integrated into the island preserves circulation while offering multiple seating options, and a layered lighting plan relies on decorative fixtures, task pendants, integrated shelf lighting, and wall washing rather than recessed cans. Custom cabinetry in White Oak, Maple, and Walnut — finished in a Skinny Shaker profile — combines with Taj Mahal Quartzite and Soapstone countertops to create a space that feels relaxed, inviting, and effortlessly functional.
🍸 A Bar with Character—and Purpose
Situated between the front kitchen and the home’s primary living spaces, the bar was originally conceived as a modest bistro-style nook. But as the design process evolved, Gladys and her team recognized an opportunity to let it become something more: a visually compelling focal point that anchors circulation through the home while offering a distinct moment of hospitality.
Set within an arched recess and framed by a partial glass wall, the bar is visible from much of the public area of the home. Yet fitting a complete wet bar—including refrigeration, ice, sink, storage, and waste—into a base cabinetry run measuring under eight feet wide presented a significant challenge. Gladys responded with fully custom base cabinetry that prioritized core bar functions and used every inch efficiently, selecting a drawer-style refrigeration unit that combines refrigeration and freezer capabilities for ice storage without sacrificing valuable width.
The bar’s distinct identity comes from John Michael Studio metal cabinetry in a soft blue tone with integrated brass framing, Soapstone countertops, and a chevron-patterned natural stone tile backsplash that introduces movement, texture, and subtle color variation. Layered lighting — combining integrated LED strips above and below the shelves with decorative articulating fixtures—supports both display and task lighting.
✨ A Career Rooted in Excellence
Gladys’s background is as remarkable as the spaces she creates. She holds the industry’s highest professional designation, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), and brings a unique perspective to interior design from her early studies in aerospace and mechanical engineering.
As she puts it: “My goal is for my clients to love their spaces. When beauty and true comfort define a space, that’s the sweet spot I strive for!”
Congratulations, Gladys, on this phenomenal global recognition! Your talent, dedication, and passion never cease to inspire our entire team.
📸 See the Award‑Nominated Work for Yourself
Curious to see the spaces that caught the judges’ attention? Explore the full galleries:
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Custom Home Bar with Character – Burr Ridge, IL
Join us in congratulating Gladys and wishing her the best as the contest works its way toward announcing eventual winners!