NKBA Awards 2026Entry 291
Du Bois Design·Te Arai·Kitchen

Designed by
Natalie Du Bois
Du Bois Design


OFFICIAL RESULT
Supreme Kitchen Design Award
A kitchen designed for retirement, with nothing that says retired about it: No Stone Unturned is generous, highly resolved and built around family, landscape and serious daily function.
Project gallery
13 images
Project story
No Stone Unturned begins with a brief that sounds simple until you count what the kitchen needed to hold: everyday cooking for two, regular visits from adult children and grandchildren, multi-generational gatherings, four ovens, three sinks, dual dishwashers, multiple refrigeration zones, generous pantry storage and a dedicated scullery.
The answer is not more noise. It is control.
Natalie Du Bois has centred the room around a faceted quartzite island, sculptural enough to hold the space but practical enough to work hard. Its sea-green and earthy brown tones draw directly from the elevated rural site and its Pacific Ocean views, giving the kitchen a material link to the landscape without becoming literal about it.
The 13-metre wall of custom wire-brushed stained oak joinery is doing much of the quiet labour. It conceals appliances, storage and access to the scullery, while extending the kitchen language into the adjoining living areas. This is where the project earns its name: the functional load is considerable, but almost nothing feels exposed.
The scullery lets the main kitchen stay calm. The appliance bank is substantial, but integrated. The island is bold, but not theatrical. The detailing is disciplined enough that the room can move between weekday rhythm and large family gatherings without changing character.
No Stone Unturned is a kitchen designed for a next chapter, not a smaller life. It understands retirement as time, family, hospitality and view - and gives all of it room.
Judges’ comment
The faceted quartzite island is a sculptural masterpiece that gives this kitchen real presence and artistry. Surrounding timber joinery, a concealed scullery and flowing cabinetry keep the composition calm, cohesive and highly functional. Rich materiality, precise detailing and a warm, inviting atmosphere result in a memorable, masterfully crafted design.
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Project record
Official result
Official NKBA 2026 result.
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