Kohler

Some of our favorite products from the 2011 Kitchen and Bath Design Show (KBIS) were products by Kohler, a leader in kitchen and bath products. Kohler combines design, functionality and sustainability, and offer a beautiful array of choices in terms of color and finishes, and of course they offer the highest of quality. In a recent blog on KBIS Grace shared her thoughts on the Kohler Elevance Rising Bath Wall, a stylish bath that is on-trend with the latest in universal and transgenerational design. 

We also featured Kohler news from KBIS in a recent newsletter; specifically, the 14” round Kallos glass undercounter lavatory bowl. This new sink offers the look of fine crystal but it has the durability of glass, as well as the easy maintenance. The design of the sink obstructs the view of items stored under the sink, and the pattern of the glass reflects light and color which adds a special depth and dimension to your bathroom décor.

The name Kohler is recognized as one of the most trusted in the world of kitchen and bath. It takes more than a few clever ad campaigns to achieve that level of recognition—it takes quality manufacturing, innovation in design, and longevity. Here are a few things you might not know about Kohler:

• The company was founded by John Michael Kohler, an Austrian immigrant, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin after Kohler purchased a cast iron and steel foundry in 1873. One day Mr. Kohler coated an iron hog scalder in enamel and marketed it as a bathtub—a new business, and ultimately an empire, was born.
• Kohler Co. has over 50 manufacturing locations worldwide.

• The company also works in fields outside of kitchen and bath: Global Power, Interiors and Hospitality.
• Kohler believes in supporting the concept of “gracious living,” and they are dedicated to ensuring that their products and services “bring charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit to the lives of (their) customers.”

We all know that when it comes to home renovation projects, the kitchen and bathroom are two of the most important rooms in the house. Not only are they rooms we use the most, they are also rooms that have a greater impact on overall home resale value; if you are renovating a house that you may someday sell, your kitchen and bathroom renovations are both short-term and long-term investments. Are you renovating—or building—your dream home, the one you’ll be in for the rest of your life? All the more reason to choose kitchen and bathroom accessories that are elegant, functional, and designed with the universal and transgenerational home in mind.

Cabinets & Designs caught up with Senior Sales Executive for Kohler, Eric Vandenberg, and asked him a few questions;

What did you showcase at KBIS this year? 

So many things… it’s hard to list them all, but some of the key products were Elevance rising wall bath, the Tresham collection for the bath, the Numi toilet and three Lithocast tubs (also a new material for us).

How do you keep up with the color and/or style trends in the market? 

 A lot of market research and actually sometimes we drive the market with new colors and finishes we introduce.

Why Kohler?  How are they different from the other companies/brands?

Honestly, there is no other plumbing manufacturer in the world that comes close to the amount of investment we make in design and technology of every category we participate in. The amount of new products that we bring out every year is a testament to that and the commitment of the Kohler family drives this innovation.

What is your most popular faucet finish?  Cast Iron sink color?  

Easy, chrome and white! I know that’s not what you were looking for but in units sold nothing comes close. Oil rubbed bronze and brushed nickel are also very popular in traditional markets however  recently we have seen a resurgence of gold in the bath with muted white tones in more contemporary settings, we addressed this with the introduction of a brushed gold finish and a honed white.

How is Kohler contributing to a more eco friendly world? 

We are not only producing more water conserving products becoming the water sense partner of the year with the EPA in 2008 and 2009 but internally we are committed to have a net 0 carbon footprint by 2035.

Home renovations and new home construction projects can seem like an endless parade of decisions, and some are more difficult than others. Visit the Cabinets & Designs showroom and let our staff of trained professionals help you navigate the process, and bring the room in your mind’s eye to life.