The best kitchens and bathrooms in NZ have been announced!

25 Sep 2024

The best kitchens and bathrooms in New Zealand were announced on Friday 6 September at the NKBA Excellence in Design Awards, and we’ve got them hot off the press to show you! Using stunning Resene colours, these designs are sure to encourage your next kitchen or bathroom makeover.  \

Kitchens 

Neutrals were most definitely a theme amongst this year’s winners. From dark to light, bold to classic, neutrals seem to take the win when it comes to most popular kitchen designs. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use colour, but if you’ve been thinking of neutral scheme, then these top kitchen designs will show you how it’s done.  

The best kitchen in the country, winning the Supreme Kitchen Design Award, is a modern family kitchen designed for intergenerational living. Titled ‘Oceanside Residence’, the Supreme title was awarded to Leonie Hamill of Cube Dentro at the Auckland Town Hall, at a gala ceremony attended by the crème de la crème of Kiwi kitchen designers. 

 
The Supreme Kitchen Design Award winner, Leonie Hamill of Cube Dentro, used Resene Black White on the walls and ceiling of her project ‘Oceanside Residence’ to contrast with the dark cabinetry and sophisticated fixtures.  

The kitchen was celebrated for the strong values on which it was designed. “Family values, centred around traditional Indian culture and cuisine, were key to the design,” says Leonie. “Daily meals are prepared by Mum and Grandma, and it was therefore important for the layout to reflect how the pair like to work.” 

The judges of the 2024 NKBA Excellence in Design Awards, who included leading local and international kitchen designers, alongside fashion designer Karen Walker, said the kitchen was phenomenal and a standout in the 2024 awards. 

“From a design detailing perspective, this kitchen is a level above. It is beautiful and it looks great from every angle. The designer hasn’t missed any detail, just look at the leg on the island, it is visually stunning. Another area of success in this space is the interpretation of the brief, they haven’t overdone it. They have designed a superb kitchen that works very well for multiple cooks. It is clever, clean, modern and the main island is just exceptional. We love it.” 

Other winners include: 

Melanie Sa'u of Melanie Sa’u Design Studio received the Outstanding Kitchen Renovation Award for her bright and chic kitchen design. Resene White Pointer was used on the kitchen cabinetry and island.  

A design that was intended to be relevant and on trend, while remaining that way in the future. Georgia Langridge of Modi Design received a Canterbury Kitchen Design Recognition for her design ‘Bronze Echo’. The walls are painted in a classic off-white, Resene Half Cararra, and ceiling in Resene Half Black White.  

Celia Visser of Celia Visser Design received an Auckland Kitchen Design Recognition for her stunning design ‘Hidden Gem’ featuring Resene Alabaster on kitchen cabinetry. 

Bathrooms

Another major award of the night is the 2024 Supreme Bathroom Design Award. This year, Christchurch designer Georgia Langridge of Modi Design has taken out the highly coveted award. Her project, ‘Parisian Stay’, has a light and bright atmosphere during the day, while allowing moody vibes in the evening. 

Georgia Langridge of Modi Design won the Supreme Bathroom Design Award for her design‘Parisian Stay’. The ceiling is painted in Resene Half Black White, complementing the earthy tones and luxurious fixtures.  

The NKBA judges said the bathroom showcased unique features, alongside stunning materials and tones. “This is a lovely space that walks the delicate line between masculine and feminine. The texture, the consistent use of metallics and the luxurious materials are all very successful. This designer has a very good understanding of bathroom design, they know how to define a space, and we applaud the technical design. One particularly successful aspect is the way the space allows for communication and solitude; the zones are separate and at the same time connected, which allows for varying degrees of privacy.” 

Other winners include: 

Celia Visser of Celia Visser Design won the DNKBA Elite Bathroom Design Award for her ‘Contemporary Rococo’ design. The ceiling and wall are painted in Resene Alabaster to contrast against the bold, dark tiles.  

Georgia Langridge of Modi Design won the DNKBA Silver Bathroom Design Award for her design ‘Stone Cocoon’. The ceiling was painted in Resene Half Black White to lighten the space and contrast against the darker elements.  

Rachael Kwok, Executive Officer of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association of New Zealand (NKBA), says 2024 was a year of fresh faces. “NKBA is committed to supporting emerging designers, so it was encouraging to see new designers step into the awards arena in 2024. With all this year’s entrants creating beautiful, innovative, and functional spaces, it’s clear that the future of New Zealand’s kitchen and bathroom design industry is in safe hands. Well done to all our award winners.” 

One for the coffee table 

If you’re looking for more kitchen and bathroom trends, designs and tips, the 2024 NKBA Publication, 2024 Excellence in Design: Kitchens and Bathrooms, is out now. 

Packed with more than 60 kitchen and bathroom designs from New Zealand designers, this luxury design guide is the perfect coffee table book or inspiration for your next renovation or build. It includes in-depth interviews with the designers, how they interpret briefs, where they gain inspiration and all the hidden details. The kitchens and bathrooms featured in the publication are located across New Zealand, have been built on a range of budgets and demonstrate a variety of design ideas and individual style. 

The publication is available for purchase from NKBA – click here to secure your copy.  

Published: 25 Sep 2024