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Shea McGee’s style is unmistakably classic with a modern streak: timeless furniture silhouettes paired with organic materials, a dose of pattern, mixed metals, and nature-inspired colors. (She’s dubbed the look “New Heritage”.)
The Studio McGee designer’s longstanding collaboration with Kohler is no different. Across kitchen and bath, her fixtures, lighting, vanities, and accessories emanate the same warmth and balance. But there were gaps, she noticed, particularly when it came to bathroom essentials like the tub and sink. Even her own home had mismatched toilets—traditional styles everywhere but the primary suite, where she’d made an exception for a contemporary, tech-equipped design. She wondered why she had compromise between functionality and classic touches.
“I wouldn’t trade that functionality, but it did spark the idea that, hey, why are all of the smart toilets out there very space-agey?” McGee wondered.
Together with Margaret Mazz, the industrial studio design manager at Kohler, McGee dreamt up the Claude collection, a follow up to her Audrine kitchen sink.
Comprised of eight new pieces, the line references archival Kohler designs while incorporating modern performance (hello, fancy bidet and heated seat). The elegant Claude Smart Toilet is finished with molding-like edges and nickel accents, which certainly disguise the hygiene tech and comfort that’s packed into it. Plus, the interface is minimal and wall-mounted; no eyesores here. “A toilet design is a new challenge for me and I never knew I had so many opinions,” McGee says.
In addition to the toilet, three bathroom sinks, a freestanding bath (meant to match the appearance of the Audrine sink), a two-piece skirted toilet, vanities, and mirrors round out the group. The Claude bathroom collection will be available to purchase this summer; sign up to get a sneak peek at the full collection and to receive an email reminder when the time comes to order.