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!
A global Five Star favourite with architects… and the planet!
It started as a quest to deliver a luxury shower experience that could not be found in any other hotel. It ended with a heavenly shower that is a favourite with commercial architects and designers around the world, for both its versatility and indulgent water delivery!
Westin Brisbane
Originally Westin Hotels and Resorts partnered with Kohler Co in the US to create the Westin Heavenly Shower II, a shower designed to enhance the guests experience with Kohler’s proprietary Katalyst Air showering technology, whilst remaining simple to install. The Heavenly Shower II is ultimately a luxury shower that combines a Katalyst Air-Induction Rainhead with a dual-function handshower – using just 7.5 litres of water a minute to create a highly indulgent rainshower/deluge experience. This shower saves the Westin hotel group in the US alone, 49,700 litres of hot water per room each year!
Kohler’s HydroRail with Katalyst showering technology delivers luxurious, plump water droplets that retain the heat for longer.
Integral to the overall design of the Heavenly II showering experience is the ability to retrofit the appliance – it easily fits an existing supply elbow with fixed shower rose, without the need to alter in-wall plumbing, therefore negating the need to take the hotel room out of service.
The HydroRail showering solution ensures no behind-the-wall work or expense is required!
With a 3 star WELS rating and a reputation for delivering a luxurious ‘deluge’ experience, the Heavenly Shower II has become increasingly specified in hotels across the globe for its sheer versatility. Outside of the US the Westin Heavenly Shower II is known as the HydroRail and can be installed in many different configurations – from the HydroRail and overhead Katalyst RainCan to a myriad of handheld showerheads and shower arm options.
Bathrooms at the William Inglis MGallery by Sofitel feature Kohler Heavenly showers and tapware in Brushed Bronze finish
The HydroRail shower column is available in three configurations – a slide bar, round column or square column. The HydroRail Shower has three main elements – the column, the overhead shower head and the handshower – but within these there are so many options that the hotel can customise its own showering installation. Examples include a simple HydroRail height-adjustable slide bar bracket with choice of handshower, or a HydroRail column (in round or square profile) with overhead Katalyst RainCan paired with one of the many handheld showerheads on offer.
Showerheads and handshowers are available in multiple profiles to be paired with the HydroRail, such as the RainCan overhead showerhead with Katalyst technology which is available in round or square format, in sizes ranging from 200mm to 250mm and 300mm. Handshowers are available in square, round and rectangular formats with and without Katalyst air-infused spray patterns.
RainCan Round 200mm
Offering the most innovative and advanced showering experiences in the world, the “Kohler Heavenly Shower” name is now used by local designers to describe all of the Kohler Katalyst Air shower offerings with various finishes and variable showering sprays – all sustainable options that save water without sacrificing comfort.
The Kohler Heavenly Shower II – bringing both customised design options and sustainability choices to hotels around the world – has most recently been installed throughout the new Westin Hotel in Brisbane and W Brisbane and the Royce Hotel in Melbourne and the premium suites at the William Inglis M Gallery by Sofitelat Warwick Farm in Sydney.
Showering configuration in Blackened Bronze at W Brisbane. Designer: Nic Graham & Associates
Presidential suite at Royce Hotel, Melbourne
For more information on Kohler’s Heavenly Shower Collection, please contact your Kohler Design Consultant, or email us at AU_COMMERCIAL@KOHLER.COM
The heritage-listed Royce Hotel, a five star boutique establishment on Melbourne’s St Kilda Road, has recently undergone a transformation, with the opulent redesign harking back to its past life with a subtle nod to Art Deco. The Royce Hotel takes its name – and its style – from the fact it was originally a Rolls Royce showroom (in the 1920s) that was recognised as the most glamorous in the world.
The famous Royce Hotel stands proud in the heart of Melbourne on St Kilda Road.
In 2000 the building was converted into a luxury hotel with SJB Interiors commissioned to design the interiors. Now, 15 years later, the same firm has just completed six prototype rooms that will form the footprint for the hotel’s ongoing refurbishment strategy. SJB Interior’s vision for this work took inspiration from the building’s history and then enhanced this with a luxurious Art Deco style.
The Presidential Suite is a stunning nod to the 1920s Art Deco era.
SJB developed a base palette of oyster and metallic tones layered with black detailing and royal blue accents. In addition, the subtle texture of knurled chrome detailing referenced the magnificent Rolls Royce vehicles that once called the building home.
Each luxurious bathroom features hand-made vanities to showcase the new Components tapware range by Kohler.
Sophistication, glamour and opulence are all key words for the ambience of the Royce and nowhere are these more evident than in the bathrooms of the guest suites and rooms.
The Presidential Suite bathroom features double-sized walk in shower with Katalyst showering, minimalist accessories, paired with the modern Evora wall hung toilet suite (Englefield by Kohler).
“It was imperative for the tapware, for example, to reflect the aspiration of the hotel,” said Andrew Parr, director interior design, SJB Interiors.
The stunning Components tapware set features the Tube spout and knurled handles – Oyl.
“Kohler’s Components provided the perfect balance between Classic and Modern Deco, while its choice of decorative elements meant the same range could run throughout the hotel in its various designs. The fittings are beautifully proportioned and the knurled detailing of the Oyl tap handles provides an elevated level of tactility and prestige,” he said.
The moodiness of this Signature Suite is reminiscent of the 1920s style featured throughout the hotel.
Signature Suite bathroom.
The new bathrooms feature spouts and handles from the highly innovative Kohler Components, a collection of interchangeable tapware elements – handle, spout and finish – that can be used to create a unique and bespoke look.
Other bathroom details of note are the marble wall tiles whose shell shape is taken from a motif found elsewhere in the original Royce building, while the chrome detailing on the marble vanity units is subtly redolent of Le Corbusier’s Grand Confort armchair, a classic design of 1928, the year the Rolls Royce showroom opened.
The shell motif marble tiles and deco inspired sconces set the scene for the modern bathroom fixtures including the Evora Wall Hung toilet suite and Katalyst air infused showerheads.
Kohler’s Katalyst showerheads deliver a highly indulgent, luxury showering experience courtesy of a clever water-saving technology whereby 2.2 litres of air is introduced into every 9.4 litres of water to create a deluge of larger, fuller water droplets.
The Kohler Katalyst air infused showerhead matched with Components Oyl top assembly handles.
In lock-step with the design brief of elegant, classic design are the Purist tapware fixtures including freestanding Purist bath filler. A piece of perfectly proportioned, classic design exuding clean, timeless lines Purist is the perfect fit with the marble and chrome finishes and textures of the 5 star Royce Hotel.
A true Melbourne view from the bathroom in the Presidential Suite including the Purist Freestanding Bath Filler.
Interiors: SJB Interiors – Andrew Parr and Léo Terrando
The new Components tapware range was selected by SJB Interiors for the Royce Hotel refurbishment.
Introducing Components, a full bathroom and accessory collection for the contemporary bathroom that speaks to the many facets of modern design. Every element, from spouts and handles to the accessories that complete the space, is designed to feel like a minimalist piece of modern sculpture.
Designed to be designed
Based in Paris, the design team behind the Components collection sought inspiration for a new modern, modular faucet design in the Bauhaus movement and the minimalist aesthetic that dominates much of European architecture, art and design. The result is a modern take on faucets unlike anything else from KOHLER.
What is the KOHLER Components collection?
The collection invites you to design your own signature look by combining a faucet spout with your style of handles. The different spout and handle combinations possible within this curated collection allow you to infuse the room with your style.
Once you have found a combination that speaks to your taste, select a finish and bring the entire room together with Components showering designs and accessories. With different combinations creating distinct looks, Components is a versatile collection that was designed to be designed. By you.
What is “Designed to be designed”?
Designed to be designed means that the Components collection was made for designers and decorators who want to create personalised spaces. The versatility and personalisation of the Components collection enables it to be used in a wide range of looks and styles.
“With Components the client is the designer. They are part of the design process,” says Bruno Chenesseau, design studio director, Kohler Kitchen & Bath EMEA.
Components is a simple, three-step process to create one’s own, unique look:
The Spouts:
For basin and bath, choose from three designs. ROW, monumental yet playful and featuring laminar flow for a smooth stream of water; RIBBON, slim, sinuous, sweeping architectural lines; and TUBE, a timeless, classic cylindrical profile.
Ribbon spout with Rocker handle in Titanium
The Handles:
For basins there is a choice of the sleek, single-control ROCKER inspired by the scrolling action on smart devices. ROCKER can be placed anywhere on the deck, within range. OYL, inspired by precision-tooled gauges and dials, is for widespread configurations. INDUSTRIAL is influenced by machine valves and factory pipes while LEVER is a slender, elegant take on classic design. For bath applications choose from OYL, INDUSTRIAL and LEVER.
The handles each have distinct looks that feature fluid and intuitive control.
The Rocker handle…
The Oyl handle
The Finish:
Choose from POLISHED CHROME, MATTE BLACK, TITANIUM, BRUSHED NICKEL, and ROSE GOLD.
Row spout with lever handles in Rose Gold
And if a simple single lever mixer is all that is required, the Components range includes a faucet in chrome with an easy roll pin lever handle plus an ingenuous back-lit temperature indicator.
Components basin faucet
To complete the range, an extensive range of accessories in matching finishes are available including hotelier, towel bars, robe hooks, towel rings and toilet tissue holders.
The Components Collection by KOHLER. Designed by you.
Read more about the Royce Hotel refurbishment using Kohler Components, designed by SJB Interiors here.
NB. Components currently available for commercial projects only. Contact us at AU_Commercial@Kohler.com for more info on the Components range.
