NKBA Daily Recap – High Point Market, Sunday, October 26
By Nicholas Tamarin
Day Two of Fall Market unfolded beneath another brilliant Carolina sky as guests flocked back to Broad Hall—continuing the celebration of design, craftsmanship, and collaboration that marked the debut of NKBA’s new High Point presence.
Panel Spotlight: Designing with Light, Finish & Form
In the morning, Kathryn Given, Executive Director of Editorial & Brand Content for Luxe Interiors + Design, moderated “Designing with Light, Finish & Form,” an exploration of how light, materials, and details shape a space’s sensory experience. Panelists included: Thom Filicia, NKBA Design Council, Thom Filicia Inc., Michel Smith Boyd, NKBA Design Council, SMITHBOYD Interiors, Kristina Christopher, VP of Product Management & Design, Kichler, and Caroline Danielson, Senior Director of Showrooms, Ferguson Home.
“I adorn my spaces like I adorn my body,” said Boyd, setting the tone for a conversation both intimate and inspiring. Filicia underscored that lighting must be considered early in the process, “It supports the architecture; it’s part of the story.”
Christopher described lighting as storytelling in motion—layering scale, materials, and control to evoke emotion—while Danielson emphasized designing around clients’ daily rituals to “layer light with purpose.”
Panelists highlighted trends including adjustable color temperature, living finishes like brass and bronze, and the renewed embrace of imperfection—materials that age gracefully and tell a story over time. Together, they revealed a confident shift toward personality, mood, and narrative in today’s kitchens and baths.
The 2026 Kitchen Design Trends Report
In the afternoon, FLOWER Magazine’s Karen Carroll moderated “2026 Report – The Latest Data on Kitchen Design Trends.” Panelists Alena Capra, CMKBD (Alena Capra Designs), Julee Ireland (Julee Ireland Design Studio), Jonathan Krieger (Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry/Fabuwood), and Briana Ryan (Miele USA) explored how technology, lifestyle, and wellness are redefining the modern kitchen.
“I think our kitchens are going to cook for us,” joked Ireland, citing rapid advances in AI and innovative cooking systems. Ryan described luxury as “serenity and simplicity”—a design that delivers peace of mind. Capra emphasized wellness-driven choices, from steam cooking to natural materials, while Krieger pointed to the growing demand for bespoke cabinetry and concealed functionality.
Panelists agreed that kitchen layouts are evolving from a traditional work triangle to interconnected “zones” for cooking, entertaining, and connection. Meanwhile, color palettes are warming, with greens, blues, walnut, and travertine replacing grays and whites. “Manufacturers are exploring finishes with depth, texture, and emotion,” said Ryan.
A Night of Vision and Connection
As evening fell, attendees gathered at the historic HQ Gallery for an intimate family-style dinner catered by Southern Roots, followed by cocktails, dessert, and live jazz from The Keith Byrd Trio.
Guests mingled amid fire pits and floral installations while exploring immersive brand activations, including the James Martin Vanities prosecco bar, Lutron’s aura-reading Polaroid station, Ferguson Home’s 360° photo booth experience, Jenn-Air’s interactive cooking stands, Miele’s espresso martinis, Sherwin-Williams’ color cocktails, and Kichler’s light tree Installation.
In a heartfelt toast, Bill Darcy, NKBA Global President & CEO, reflected: “Just a few months ago, Broad Hall was only an idea. A vision. Today, it stands as a symbol of what’s possible when design, innovation, and partnership align.”
The dinner also honored the teams who brought Broad Hall to life, including Patty Dominguez of Cosentino, designer Kerrie Kelly, and the NKBA operations and partnerships teams. Together, they transformed a vision into an immersive experience uniting kitchen, bath, and whole-home design under one roof. The evening closed with a toast to NKBA | KBIS, the High Point Market Authority, and the partnerships shaping the future of design.
It’s not too late to visit the stunning NKBA | KBIS and Cosentino space at Broad Hall. You can find what’s happening today at Market by visiting our NKBA x HPMKT page.
