Kohler Gallery Breaks The Mould

Since gaining a foothold in South Africa, Kohler is fast becoming a leading light for the building industry. For their latest move, the venerated global bathroom and kitchen fittings manufacturer is opening a Gallery that will inspire like no other in the industry; a bespoke space in Bryanston, Johannesburg that will enthuse the trade and their clients while celebrating South African design leaders.

More than a century later, after a slew of awards, a host of African continent outlets including all major cities in South Africa, Luanda, Kampala, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Mauritius the family-run heritage business has become an industry leader in the bathroom and kitchen sector, forging the path for progressive fixtures and fittings that are hard to turn away from. It’s no surprise then that their ambitious unveiling to South Africans would be a showroom that breaks the mould, while tapping into a uniquely South African design discourse. Designed to wow the trade and their clients, the brand new Kohler Gallery will showcase their covetable full bathroom solution offering in a space that incorporates the exceptional work of several of our best local designers. One of the highlights in the Gallery will be the brand’s Artist Editions® collection of basins with decorative effects in glass, bronze and marble, and is one example of Kohler’s dedication to the preservation and development of craft and bespoke design. Local design highlights in the Gallery: Aureum’s Nicky Levenberg, the prominent Joburg textile designer whose prints are the vibrant base for a range of homeware from scatter cushions to napery, has hand painted an inspired geometric mural for the space, which will also feature her wallpaper collab with Lemon. Studio 19’s Mia Widlake is esteemed for her modern vintage design aesthetic and covetable monochrome-metallic product range.

This celebrated stylist and designer’s light fittings will be hard to miss. Lemon, the Joburg design studio dedicated to procuring and creating exceptional graphics, will be installing various artworks and wallpaper in the Gallery. Wolkberg Casting Studios has pioneered an industrially designed high performance concrete with looks to kill called Limesite which they apply as surfacing in walls and counters. With that in mind they created a bespoke reception desk, boardroom table and basin display.

Applauded for channelling ethnic and cultural graphic symbolism in her contemporary furniture designs The Urbanative’s Mpho Vackier shows us what modern Africa is all about. Her custom designed occasional chairs will greet visitors in the Kohler Gallery’s reception area, upholding ‘Africanness’ against a decidedly global backdrop. Burgeoning artist Elonah O’Neil is best known for her magical and captivating masterpieces in paper, which have featured in a glut of beautiful spaces. For her work at the Gallery, Elonah will be creating a water inspired custom glass art installation.

New to the interior design scene but no stranger to the industry, Copperleaf Studio’s Kelly Adami was the design lead of the interior and is wooing design lovers with her classic, luxe aesthetic that she’s injected into the Kohler Gallery. Her range of luxury mirrors will of course also be on display. Says Kohler Africa’s Commercial Director, Ronelle Badenhorst: “Our new Kohler Gallery is an inspiring and innovative space. I believe it demonstrates our ongoing dedication to providing the South African design community with a sublime aesthetic and cutting-edge tech”.

Contact: www.africa.kohler.com/highlights