NKBA | KBIS has announced the all-new 2026 NKBA Design Council: industry-leading designers Bobby Berk, Mandy Cheng and Nathan Orsman.
Following the success of the 2024-2025 Design Council – designers Thom Filicia, Michel Smith Boyd, Celerie Kemble and Caleb Anderson – the new class offers varying perspectives and new areas of expertise to further raise awareness of the association, uniting their expert voices to promote the benefits of NKBA membership to their fellow design community. Debuting at KBIS 2026 in Orlando, the 2026 Design Council inspires, leads and empowers each member of the kitchen and bath industry while setting the standard for industry professionalism.
“We are delighted to introduce a new lineup of renowned industry experts to NKBA’s Design Council program in 2026,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA | KBIS. “This talented group will help introduce NKBA to new designers and bring our vision of innovative, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces to life across the country. We’re proud of the program’s success and look forward to expanding our reach across the residential design community with this exciting continuation.”
Meet the 2026 NKBA Design Council
Bobby Berk is an Emmy-winning design expert, television host, and author. In 2006, Bobby started his own company and opened his first showroom in lower Manhattan the following year, eventually expanding the business nationwide. He earned global recognition in 2018 for his work transforming lives and living spaces on Netflix’s Queer Eye, and has since established himself as a preeminent leader in the design industry. Bobby leads his eponymous multi-faceted brand, including comprehensive lifestyle destination BobbyBerk.com, while his design firm has become one of the most sought-after in the home building industry. In 2023, Bobby released his first book, “Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good For The Mind”. Most recently, he returned to television as host of the HGTV series “Junk or Jackpot?”.
Mandy Cheng is the studio principal and owner of Mandy Cheng Design. Mandy worked in the film/television industry for almost two decades, giving her an expansive knowledge and network in the industry. She has designed music videos for chart-topping names such as J.Cole, One Republic and Dillon Francis & DJ Snake, and worked as a graphic designer on projects ranging from 20th Century Women and Ladybird to Beyonce’s Lemonade. Mandy has been on Architectural Digest’s AD 100 list for the past four years and has transitioned her set design experience into a career as one of the most sought-after interior designers in Los Angeles. She designed the home of Emmy Raver-Lampman and Daveed Diggs, which landed the April 2021 cover of AD. Cheng has designed homes, retail stores and offices from California to New York to Florida.
Nathan Orsman, founding principal of Orsman Design, Inc., is a highly regarded figure in the architectural and landscape lighting design industries. Leading his acclaimed firm based in New York City, with additional offices in Miami and the Hamptons, Nathan has established a global reputation for his exceptional work. Nathan Orsman’s commitment to the importance of light as a transformative element is evident in his firm’s extensive list of awards, press coverage, and recognition. Orsman Design’s focus on the artistry of light sets them apart, ensuring that each project they undertake becomes a testament to the profound influence light can have on the beauty and functionality of a space. In October, Nathan will release his first book, “Light”, published by Rizzoli, further exploring the transformative power of illumination.
Together, Berk, Cheng and Orsman will be introduced at KBIS 2026 in Orlando, where they will tour the show, exploring the latest trends, product debuts and innovations from global kitchen and bath manufacturers and documenting their experience for their social audiences. Additionally, the council will host a panel discussion moderated by Business of Home Editor-In-Chief Kaitlin Petersen on the NEXTStage on Tuesday, February 17 from 11:00-11:45 a.m. ET. Beyond KBIS, the Design Council will serve as an expert resource for NKBA throughout the year, including through NKBA trend reports and top industry events such as High Point Market.
