The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) has announced its three hosts for NEXTStage (South Hall S28201), the dynamic show space where attendees find key insights, today’s leaders and valuable takes that are driving the industry forward. With robust programming divided into brand new tracks for fresh, current content, each day will feature a different host to lend their unique approach and guide the stage.
Day One, February 17: Taniya Nayak has been regularly featured as host and interior designer on HGTV, including “Battle on the Beach” and “Build It Forward,” and is on the next season of “Rock the Block.” She is also featured on 23 seasons of Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” and ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” A native of India, this Boston-based designer is known for creating hot new restaurants and high-end residential projects all over the U.S. She owns design firm Taniya Nayak Design Inc based in Boston and is co-owner of several restaurants in the Boston area with her husband Brian O’Donnell.
Day Two, February 18: Jennifer Bertrand, winner of HGTV’s “Design Star,” a show with more than 5 million viewers, is known for her down-to-earth, creative approach to design that makes beautiful spaces achievable for everyone. She also won Angie’s List’s first Sleep Sanctuary contest inspired by Arianna Huffington’s “The Sleep Revolution.” Through her design firm, Bertrand works with Ronald McDonald House Charities, collaborating with the NFL, MLB and MLS, and designs projects around the world — from Chicago to Costa Rica. She was on Monogram’s first Design Council, is a past NKBA insider and is the designer on Lifetime’s “Military Makeover with Montel Williams,” honoring veterans through home transformations.
Day Three, February 19: Mikel Welch is an Emmy Award-winning interior designer, set decorator and television personality known for creating layered, character-filled spaces that feel collected over time. Based in Los Angeles, his work blends classic European influence with warmth and livability. He is the design expert on Netflix’s “Hack My Home” and a regular on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” In October 2025, he released his debut book “The Forever Home” with Clarkson Potter and Penguin Random House. Welch is also the founder of Mikel Welch Home, a high end vintage and antiques brand with a showroom at 200 Lexington Avenue in New York City.
KBIS NEXTStage 2026
This year, NEXTStage debuts new categories that reflect the evolving design landscape, including the crucial role that kitchens and baths play in the context of the entire home and a growing need to consider our bodies, our minds and the planet with each design decision.
This year’s tracks are:
- Whole Home sponsored by High Point Market Authority: Explore the aesthetics, flow and functionality that connect spaces together, ensuring the whole home feels like part of a cohesive vision.
- Business & Buzz: Tackle the issues shaping the industry’s future, from resiliency and real estate to firm growth and branding strategies.
- Technology: Look at the tools and innovations that matter most today, from discreet connected systems to emerging applications of AI.
- Wellness & Sustainability: From biophilic design and circular materials to the movement toward slow, intentional living, these sessions showcase how designers can meet rising consumer demand for healthier, more sustainable environments without sacrificing beauty or performance.
A full NEXTStage schedule can be found on KBIS.com, where attendees can organize their show schedules with ease. Punctuated by KBIS hallmarks, including NKBA Thirty Under 30, Innovation Hour, Best of KBIS Awards and Best Booth, standout sessions include:
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
1:15 p.m. Slow Design: Wellness, Sustainability and the Beauty of Enough with Stacey Breezeel of Shine Interior Design Studio, Hannah Goldberg of Hannah Charlotte Interiors and Hill Rondero of Ro House Studio, moderated by Avi Rajagopal, editor in chief of Metropolis.
2 p.m. Disappearing Act: The Rise of Invisible Tech sponsored by Origin Acoustics with Abiola Amusan of AV Luxury Design, Kristyn Harvey of Kristyn Harvey Interiors and Joe Whitaker of Origin Acoustics, moderated by Taniya Nayak of Taniya Nayak Design Inc.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
10 a.m. The Art of the Layer: Furniture, Lighting & Finishes in Harmony sponsored by High Point Market Authority and Kichler with Jaque Bethke of Jaque Design, Kristina Christopher of Kichler and Brittany Farinas of House of One, moderated by Jennifer Bertrand of Jennifer Bertrand Design.
1 p.m. Whole Home, Whole Business: Designing High-Functioning Spaces Clients Crave with Megan Kelly of Meganrose Interiors, Jennifer Arteaga of Jennifer Lynn Interior Design and Tristan Gary of Tristan Gary Design, moderated by LuAnn Nigara of LuAnn Nigara Inc.
3 p.m. The Business of Resilience: Designing Homes That Endure with Jonathan Scott, CEO, Scott Brothers Global and “Property Brothers” host; Arshia Mahmoodi of Arshia Architects and Harper Halprin of AAHA Studio, moderated by Dan DiClerico, home improvement & outdoor director for Good Housekeeping.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
10 a.m. Room-to-Room Rhythm: Creating a Visual Journey Through the Home sponsored by High Point Market Authority with Ahmad AbouZanat of Ahmad AbouZanat Studio; Tamara Day, award-winning designer and TV host, and Karen B. Wolf of k+co LIVING, moderated by Mikel Welch of Mikel Welch Designs.
11 a.m. Immersive Water Rituals: From Wet Rooms to Cold Plunges with Juliana Ewer of J Squared Home Designs, Allison Handler of Allison Handler Design and Oceana Kim Nadel of Gaia Inspired Design Consulting, moderated by Sophie Donelson, design journalist and author.
LUXURY Lounge sponsored by Ferguson Home
Over in West Hall (W162), the LUXURY Lounge is the designated place to explore the high end of design with the people and brands who are moving it forward. In intimate conversations and candid revelations, today’s top interiors experts will evolve the definition of “luxury” and what it means to today’s homeowners. Attendees can build the LUXURY Lounge into their schedules on KBIS.com. Standout sessions include:
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
11:30 a.m. Focal Point Fever: Statement Pieces that Design a Space sponsored by Kichler with Emily Marek of Emmy Couture Designs, Katie Gutierrez of Errez Design and Kristina Christopher of Kichler, moderated by Carisha Swanson, director of editorial special projects for House Beautiful.
1 p.m. Luxury at Scale: Can High-End Design Expand Without Losing Its Soul? sponsored by Ferguson Home with Mark Haddad of Interiology Design and Monica Santayana and Ronald Alvarez of MONIOMI, moderated by Caroline Danielson of Ferguson.
2:30 p.m. Tactile Modernism: Sculpting Warmth from the Monolithing sponsored by Cava Surfaces with Joe Barranca of Cava Surfaces, Brian Brown of Brian Brown Studio and Lisa Kooistra of Lisa Kooistra Designs.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
11 a.m. The Maker’s Mark: A Welcome Return to Craftsmanship sponsored by MaestroBath with Hillary Cohen of HCO Interiors, Cynthia Ferguson of Cynthia Ferguson Designs and Hill Rondero of Ro House Studio, moderated by Jill Waage, editor in chief of Traditional Home.
2 p.m. Mastering a Digital Footprint in the Luxury Space sponsored by Ferguson Home with Caroline Danielson of Ferguson, Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry of Pulp Design Studios, and Jerel Lake of Lakehaus Designs, moderated by Sophie Donelson, design journalist and author.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
11 a.m. The Power of a Niche: Focused Expert or Flexible Generalist? with Antoin O’Duibhir of New Wave Design and Contracting, Lauren Schulte of Monarch Kitchen Design Studio and Stephanie Wiott of Stephanie Wiott Designs.
12:30 p.m. Luxury Edit with Julee Ireland joined by Arianne Bellizaire of Arianne Bellizaire Interiors and Jeanne K Chung of Cozy Stylish Chic.
Together, these destinations shape the narrative of KBIS with the voices that resonate. Join the live sessions driving meaningful conversation and emerging ideas across the kitchen and bath community.
