Saint Kate hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA worked alongside the “KOHLER Create’ team to design meaningful, custom basins in their 2019 renovation.
Saint Kate’s Leopard Bedroom Suite
This major upgrade transformed the 1987 built hotel into Milwaukee’s first Visual Arts hotel.The hotel’s idea of offering new experiences to broaden people’s ways of looking at the world was very much in line with Kohler’s vision through design, and innovations such as Kohler’s WasteLab. The latter, more like a studio with craftsmen than a factory – takes waste materials and recycles them into things of beauty, like their hand made range of crackle tiles made from porcelain scraps. These tiles were used in the hotel bar/dining area.
The Hotel Bar on the ground floor
The black and white ribbon, part of Saint Kate’s visual signature for fluidity was one of the ideas developed further by KOHLER and incorporated by hand onto the Veil basin, creating a design story of both inspiration and the journey involved in creating this piece of ‘art’.
KOHLER Veil Basin with ribbon motif
Like Saint Kate, they looked at the possibilities of how to make something special that was more than ‘just a basin’. The result installed into the hotel’s 219 rooms is special for Saint Kate, special for KOHLER and special for the customers using them.
The Numi 2.0, Kohler’s most advanced intelligent, voice-activated toilet, has been honoured with an innovation award at this year’s (2020) CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. The annual event, recognised as the world stage for innovation, attracted more than 4,500 brands showcasing their latest technology-driven consumer products – and from these the Numi 2.0 was selected as a recipient of the innovation award.
Key to Numi 2.0’s success is the Kohler Konnect app and embedded Amazon Alexa for easy voice control of personal-care functions and features, as well as access to personal playlists and tens of thousands of skills such as checking the weather, the traffic, accessing news etc. In short, Numi 2.0, a toilet and bidet in one, delivers complete hands-free control of a personal care experience that has been fine-tuned to the user’s exact preferences – from ambient lights, heated seat and preferred cleansing functionality, to choice of music and air/water temperatures.
Sustainability credentials are also impressive with the toilet being one of the most water-efficient available – a mere 3L/3.8L flush. A real life example of life with Numi 2.0 is a night time visit, whereby the integrated nightlight will guide you while the lid opens automatically to reveal a ready-warmed seat. When you walk away, the toilet flushes and the lid closes.
The Numi 2.0’s dynamic multi-coloured lighting and audio enhancements (via waterproof speakers offering exceptional sound quality), create a unique experience for homeowners – users simply voice-activate their profile and/or preferences on entering the bathroom. Features of Numi 2.0, with Kohler Konnect, can be controlled through voice-command, the Kohler Konnect app, the remote or through internal sensors.
The Numi 2.0 by Kohler is currently unavailable in Australia and New Zealand.
Stillwater, a landmark 1830s flour mill and home to Launceston’s multi award-winning Stillwater restaurant, has added a luxury sleep-over option to its beautiful premises on the banks of the Tamar river.
From the ashes of a roof-fire that seriously damaged the upper storey of the colonial-era building in 1942, seven beautifully crafted rooms have arisen that are testament to local materials, craftsmanship and artists. The adaptive re-use of this 1830s flourmill on the Launceston riverbanks, expands on the existing Stillwater Restaurant footprint – an award winning restaurant in it’s own right.
The Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) – in the Colour Section. Staged annually by inside magazine, IDEA is now in their 17th year and is part of Australia’s largest and most successful independent design awards programme.
The project has also been shortlisted in the annual EAT DRINK DESIGN Awards, endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Design Institute of Australia (announced in Melbourne on November 12, 2019).
Cumulus Studio, a Melbourne/Launceston/Hobart-based architecture and interior design practice, used the devastating aftermath of the fire as the inspiration for the beautifully soulful, moody interiors colour palette.
Taking its cue from the many hues found in the charred landscape the fire left in its wake, Cumulus Studio and Interior Designer Amanda York created a palette of ‘regeneration and renewal’…
Blacks/charcoal representing the many charred timbers;
Greens, signifying the verdant regenerated growth of ferns, grasses and shrubs;
Red, the colour of the fire itself and its embers;
And Pink, the colour of new growth in the many eucalypts in the area.
While no two rooms are exactly the same, these colours are woven throughout the space – sage green mosaic tiles in the bathroom is offset with the blacks and charcoals of the original exposed charred beams; deep maroon-pink tiles in another bathroom form the backdrop to a black circular Kohler Mica basin; reds are used in carpeting throughout the corridors and hallways.
When it came to choosing the fittings for this haven of colour and local talent, it was important to select items that reflected the project’s commitment to authenticity and intent. Kohler’s Purist collection was chosen initially for its robust, beautiful feel and the simplicity of its profile. But it was its own story that sealed the deal! The design of the single column Purist tapware was inspired by the simple lines of the original hand pump used in old mills, where form clearly followed function.
Tapping into the strength of local artists and designers, guests will find custom made A.H Beard beds as well as bespoke furniture designed and made by local Simon Ancherat his nearby Launceston studio. And original works of art, by local artists, adorn the walls of rooms, bar and restaurant, routinely changing as all are for sale.
The winners of the IDEA interior design awards will be announced on November 22nd.. Good luck to Stillwater Seven and Cumulus Studio!
The ModernLife multi-award winning toilet, produced by Kohler Co and recognised for its ‘discreet design and practical cleaning features’, has been released in the popular wall-faced configuration.
Originally designed for public spaces, where understated design and exceptional hygiene are pre-requisites, Kohler’s ModernLife back-to-wall suite garnered two of the most prestigious international design awards – the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award.
The key feature of this innovative toilet – now available in a wall-faced configuration – is its truly rimless bowl. The ground-breaking combination of the pan’s design and finish mean any liquid hitting the interior forms small beads of liquid that roll easily into the toilet bowl. The smooth, sleek interior means there are no ridges or channels in which germs or dirt can hide, while its dynamic flush flow ensures the bowl is rinsed thoroughly.
The timeless form of ModernLife’s design is the essence of simplicity with the slight overhang of the lid creating a seamless look. There is a choice of two comfortable, quiet-close seat designs – the low profile Slim and the sophisticated Elite model. The latter features a deodoriser, with a choice of fragrance packs, plus a battery operated LED night light.
Both seats feature a Vertical Quick Release hinge that enables the seat to be removed with just a gentle pull (when vertical) to enable fast and thorough cleaning.
The ModernLife Wall Faced Toilet suite also features optimal water-saving technology with a mere 4.5/3L water consumption (4 star WELS rating).
In-wall cisterns are sold separately with a choice of flushplate shape – choose from Oval, Bevel, Lynk and Note.
The ModernLife Wall Faced toilet is available nationally from Kohler stockists.
The bathroom has become the latest space to benefit from a fresh kind of craftsmanship – an area where art and artisanal skills come to the fore in our daily self-care routines. The basin has soared from a utilitarian receptacle for water to a piece of aesthetic beauty where materials, colour, pattern and texture create a visual attraction with light and water.
Kips Bay Show House New York, 2019 featuring Kohler Artist Edition Briolette basin and Purist tapware
Kohler embraced the look many years ago with the introduction of its Artist Editions Collection in which artists utilise a mix of raw materials, coloured glazes and hand-applied colour to create a unique collection of beautiful basins.
In the current market there are five designs that are proving popular – two of which are made from spun glass. Briolette is a faceted glass vessel basin inspired by the precisely cut surfaces of precious stone. Available in four colours – Ice, Dusk, Dew and Doe – the light-reflecting facets of the generously proportioned basin create both colour and movement.
Kohler Artist Edition Briolette basin in Translucent Doe
Kohler’s Kallos Spun Glass basin is an under counter model whose distinctive architectural patterning is reminiscent of fine crystal. The basin’s clever design creates a visual perception of incredible depth while the intricate faceting obscures any view of toiletries that may be stored within the vanity.
For a masterpiece of florography art the newly released Dutchmaster basin collection, inspired by the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, is a visual splendour with its big, bold, lush florals on a deeply dark, moody background. Available in both round and rectangular configurations, this vessel basin works particularly well with many of Kohler’s metallic tapware finishes such as rose gold, titanium and brushed nickel.
Dutchmaster in Blush Floral
Dutchmaster in Blush Floral
Kohler’s Derring Wading Pool self-rimming basin is a true stand-out in terms of hand-made textural beauty that is a stunning partner with timber and stone finishes. Featuring a rarely used rutile mineral glaze the Derring’s unique textured patterning creates an ever-changing palette of light reflective neutral tones.
The Kohler Derring Artist Edition basin
The Empress Bouquet floral motif, available on both the Conical Bell Vessel basin, the rectangular Kathryn under counter basin and the Vintage oval undercounter, is a modern interpretation of 18th century Chinese print work. The intricate detailing, with gold and metallic highlights, is applied by hand, creating slightly different variations and a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.
Empress Bouquet design on Conical Bell Vessel Basin
New generation toiletsare ‘flush’ with style, shape and comfort together with higher levels of water efficiency and easy-clean features.
Kohler’s new Reach II back-to-wall toilet suite packs a lot of innovation into a compact design that shaves up to 70mm off the length (protrusion from the wall) of conventional models.
The new rimless Reach II Compact Back To Wall Toilet Suite
Designed for both new builds and renovations the Reach II’s 4 star WELS rating (4.5/3.5L) ensures it is well within new build codes while its 610mm projection from the wall makes it a preferred choice of back to wall toiletfor more compact spaces.
Featuring contemporary flared straight skirt and clean lines, the Reach II has the highest hygiene credentials with the Kohler HygieneMax rimless pan technology delivering a robust, double wash-down with optimal coverage of the interior bowl.
There is a choice of two comfortable seat designs, the low profile Slim and the more seamless Wrap Over seat. Each seat is quiet close with vertical quick release operation – meaning the seat can be quickly detached with a ‘one-hand lift’ for fast and easy cleaning.
The Reach II Rimless Back To Wall Toilet Suite with wrap seat
The Reach II Rimless Back To Wall Toilet Suite with slim seat
For renovators the Reach II is truly versatile, with both P-trap and S-trap vario connection and side or top rear entry.
