It’s not often that the arrival of a kitchen and bath store attracts a crowd of magazine editors, interior design stars, and social media influencers, but when the store is a new Kohler outpost debuting a fresh collaboration with Shea McGee of Studio McGee, then a spot on the grand opening guest list becomes something of a golden ticket — or, in this case, a brass, chrome, and polished nickel ticket. In May, Kohler revealed its first Utah showroom in Salt Lake City’s historic Trolley Square. It’s the newest retailer to join the mall’s design district, alongside the likes of Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Rejuvenation. The store is one of the largest Kohler retail environments in North America and features interactive, functioning displays. Highlights of the space include an expanded kitchen section, new wellness products (saunas and ice baths, for example), and the exclusive Claude Bathroom Collection by Kohler x Studio McGee.
Inspired by historic details but made for modern living, the Claude Collection includes a large free-standing tub, framed mirrors, pedestal and console sinks, vanity cabinets, and an elegant toilet and smart toilet. Claude marks the sixth product collaboration between Kohler and Studio McGee, spanning kitchen, bathroom, and lighting collections.
“There’s always an element of nostalgia in every single thing I design, but I’m also really cognizant of how we live in our homes and how we need pieces to work for us,” McGee said in a conversation with House Beautiful’s Carisha Swanson at the store’s opening. “I want my bathroom to feel like a retreat, but I also want it to function for me.”
Additional grand-opening festivities included a Kohler-branded coffee bar, tray-passed breakfast bites by The Blended Table, custom-embroidered tote bags by Well Stitched Embroidery, abundant floral arrangements by Rachael Ellen Events, a meet-and-greet with McGee, and a book signing for her new cookbook, Around the Table. 602 E. 500 South, SLC. kohler.com
