Quartzite Peninsula
2026 NKBA Excellence in Design Awards showcase
Photography John Williams
Character Kitchen Design Award
In a Queenstown home, this kitchen design responds to a young family seeking a warm, functional space that supported everyday living while remaining refined enough for entertaining. Durability and ease of use were key drivers, alongside a desire for a natural aesthetic enriched with subtle colour and texture.
The concept by the team at Hub Design centres on a calm, neutral foundation layered with moments of visual impact. Nude tones and timber flooring establish warmth, and hard-wearing quartzite was selected as the hero material for its expressive veining. This material carries through to the fireplace, creating a cohesive architectural feature. Brass accents and metalier finishes introduce a refined contrast and a consistent thread throughout the design.
An unusually shaped room presented a challenge. This was resolved by simplifying the layout to a back-wall-and-island configuration, preserving openness while maintaining strong functional relationships.
