Introducing Kohler x Studio McGee

Introducing our latest collaboration, Kohler x Studio McGee. A collection rooted in time-honored craftsmanship, designed to pay homage to the legacy of quality fixtures and the luxury of an aesthetic that endures. Explore the six unique collections below and go behind the design with Shea at the Kohler headquarters in Kohler, Wisconsin.

A kitchen faucet collection with five unique shapes—a bridge faucet, a pull-down faucet, a semi-professional faucet, a bar faucet, and a pot filler. Each piece in the collection comes in five finishes—polished chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brushed brass, and matte black.

How did the collaboration with Kohler come to be?

 

I’ve been a fan of the Kohler brand for a long time and have used their products in many of my design projects throughout the years, both in our Netflix show, Dream Home Makeover, and my own home. I threw out the idea of collaborating with Kohler and I was thrilled when their team was equally as excited about the idea. Once the collaboration officially began, the first thing we did was dig through all of the beautiful Kohler archives. I wanted to find the perfect vintage inspirations to build a modern yet timeless collection.

Shea McGee

The Embra Lighting Collection is composed of five shapes, including single, double, and triple light sconces, a mini pendant, and a large pendant. Each piece is made of reeded glass and comes in five finishes—polished chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brushed brass, and matte black.

Tell us a bit about the overall inspiration behind the collaboration. 

 

I am always drawn to classic shapes and styles; pieces that will stand the test of time. When designing homes, my goal is to bridge classic and current. I approached this collection the same way. I wanted to design a collection of fixtures that were rooted in history, but transitional enough to pair with a wide range of unique design styles. Kohler has a rich history with decades of archives, and they were a wealth of inspiration during the design process. We’ve pulled subtle details like coining, engravings, and ribbed textures from the past and connected them with the functionality of the present.

Shea McGee

The Castia Bathroom Collection is a robust assortment of faucets and accessories to outfit the bathroom in one cohesive look. The collection includes three sink faucets, bath and shower trim, bath fillers, towel bars, arms, and hooks, and a pivot mirror. The collection comes in five finishes—polished chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brushed brass, and matte black.

“I love a good mirror selfie and this mirror delivers. I love the curved corners, coining detail, and the ability to pivot.”

Shea McGee

Any advice for someone who wants to redo their bathroom on a budget?

 

Cabinetry and countertops are costly and require a lot of demolition, so swapping plumbing fixtures, hardware, and lighting are the best way to give your space a fresh look without a gut reno. Choosing upfront where to save and where to splurge goes a long way as you’re going through the process so you can stay on track. Go to slab yards and ask to shop the remnants instead of a main slab. 

Shea McGee

The Kohler x Studio McGee vanities in the Malin Collection feature a ribbed drawer design and a quartz top with an under-mount sink. The vanity comes in six sizes ranging from 24″ to 72″ and two wood finishes, light oak and white. The hardware comes in five finishes—polished chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brushed brass, and matte black.

What was it like collaborating with such a storied brand?

 

I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Kohler team to bring these designs to life. As product nerds, we hit it off immediately and I knew they saw the vision of what I was hoping to create—we had a mutual trust in each other to do what we each do best, and that is evident in the pieces we created together. A commitment to classic design and timeless materials is something we all shared.  

Shea McGee

The Kernen Lighting Collection is composed of five shapes, including single, double, and triple light sconces, a mini pendant, and a large pendant. Each piece is designed with a milk glass shade and comes in five finishes—polished chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brushed brass, and matte black.

How involved were you in the creation of these collections?  

 

When I take on a project, I am all in. I was living, breathing, and thinking about faucets, vanities, and fixtures for several months while conceptualizing the vision for the collection. From the details on the connection points, to the shape of the faucet arcs, I worked collaboratively with the Kohler design team to get every detail just right.

Shea McGee

The Kohler x Studio McGee vanities in the Seagrove Collection feature an open-shelf design and a quartz top with an under-mount sink. The vanity comes in six sizes ranging from 24″ to 72″ and two wood finishes, dark grey and warm neutral. The hardware comes in five finishes—polished chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brushed brass, and matte black.