Dear Kohler friends,
Here we are, finally—and we couldn’t be more excited to get to know you!
We can’t wait to share stories and have fun together as we elevate Kohler to iconic status. And to kick us off, here are a few of our fond stories and dreams… from daunting DIY remodels to poignant kitchen conversations and tales from our bathrooms, these are our stories, and we can’t wait to share them with you.
We hope these are just the first of many stories that we will share and create together.
Last summer, our family went to Mexico with a 20-person Homes of Hope group to build a house—from an empty cement pad to a completed abode in just four days. It was fulfilling to see and feel the teamwork as we partnered with the local family (the future homeowners), helping them envision an enclosed space with a functioning kitchen. While our homes in the United States have every amenity we could ask for, it’s a wonderful reminder that grace and graciousness can be found everywhere—even in the simplest of homes—when there’s love and people working together.
Our current kitchen was purpose-built for a rowdy family with three kids, several pets, and lots of spills. It was the family gathering space of choice—the site of many late-night homework sessions, regular Chihuahua baths, learning to make homemade pasta during the pandemic, and a couple of spectacular Thanksgiving turkey fails.
Well, our kids had the audacity to grow into adults recently and move into lives of their own. While we’re still adjusting to this empty nesting thing, we’ve decided that the next natural step might be rethinking the kitchen entirely. Personally, I think my wife’s main motivation is to entice the kids to come back to the house as much as possible. Does Kohler have a design solution for that?
“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.” —Dalai Lama
My dog, Ziggy, always follows me into the bathroom when I shower at night—sometimes she licks the water and tries to get in too. She does the same in the morning when I brush my teeth and wash my face; she’s excited and happy to get our day started, always looking forward to a walk. I treasure these moments. Whenever I’m in the kitchen and she hears plastic bags being opened, she runs over—she loves cheese and bread. We’ll toss her a piece, and she’ll catch it, then hang out for a bit while we cook or clean. It’s cute.
The bathroom is my absolute sanctuary. With a baby at home, the morning is the only time I have to indulge in my rituals, reconnect with my body, and set the tone for the day. My dream bathroom is a very spacious, airy room flooded with light, where the inside and outside merge seamlessly. The design is elegant and minimal, the materials are earthy and sustainable, and there is a freestanding stone bathtub in a warm grey, with a stunning view of the ocean. It smells like Aesop and Palo Santo. The few decorative objects carry meaning. The closest image of that vision I could find is from the amazing hotel MUSA in Guerrero, Mexico.
STORIES FROM THE KITCHEN: A DOG’S TALE BY FINNEGAN MILLER
My name is Finnegan. I’m six years old, and I’m a Samoyed. My dad was asked to contribute a story, but there isn’t anybody in my household—including my mom (Sally), sister (Hailey), or dad (Mark)—who knows the magic of the kitchen like I do. The kitchen is my happy place: where the day starts, where the best details about the day are shared, and where all the best smells and foods are centered.
During weekdays, by 7 a.m. each day, I move myself to the kitchen so I can greet my mom when she comes downstairs. My mom often makes special meals for my sister to take to school. If I sit in the right place, listen to what my mom says, and tilt my head the right way, there’s at least a 50/50 chance that I might get to sample the food. I’m a good listener, and a very good eater, so it works for me.
Most evenings, the kitchen is usually the first place everyone gathers—to start making dinner and talk about the day. It’s where I learned that my sister entered middle school this year. She likes science, math, art, and dance. It all sounds fun. But Hailey also started calling me “bro.” Middle school changes a person. Still, as long as my sister keeps loving me and slipping me snacks, being her “bro” works for me too.
During the holidays, my aunts like to come over and cook in our kitchen. My grandmother, who lives in LA, also likes to come over and cook. Like my mom, my sister, and even my dad, the kitchen is a place where everyone gathers, talks, shares, and—most importantly—shares food with me. The kitchen feels like a safe place, a warm place, and, for my family and me, a very happy place.
If you enjoyed this story, please send snacks to “Finnegan Miller at Team One (Attention: Mark Miller).” My dad will bring them home for me, where I will be sitting, like a “good boy,” in the kitchen.
I’ve just bought a house, and the one place we really need to update is the kitchen. It’s a big job because it’s our family’s favorite room—we love to cook, congregate, study, and entertain in our kitchen. It’s the lifeblood of our home. While searching for inspiration, this kitchen struck me immediately and made its way to the top of my inspiration board. It’s everything like our family: warm no matter the weather, inviting whether busy or empty, communal, and begging for big family meals. It has the right balance of old-world charm and culture, but enough modern innovation to make life simple. I guess it’s a lot like me—welcoming and approachable, with a little classic charm, but with my Silicon Valley taste for smart tech; calm and subtle, with just a little edge of flair.
My favorite kitchen I’ve ever used was from when I lived in Redondo Beach in my 20s. We lived in a tiny cottage with a tiny kitchen. Right over the sink was a window, and you could just barely see the Pacific Ocean. Ever since then, I look for a window over the sink in every house, and we just bought our new home with a huge bay window over the sink. It makes me grin a big, goofy grin every time I use the sink.
For years, I’ve been building a Pinterest board to collect ideas for an eventual primary bathroom remodel. It currently contains more than 70 pictures of baths, showers, and fixtures—a diverse assortment of colors, styles, vintages, finishes, and materials. As I’ve worked on this Kohler assignment, I’ve thought a lot about how spaces reflect their users, but I’ve really struggled to define my vision to designers, friends—even my wife. Then I remembered that I’m a data and analytics guy, so I asked AI to analyze my Pinterest board and describe my style. It turns out I “appreciate a blend of modern and classic design, favor timelessness over trends, appreciate the interplay of different textures and materials, and value luxury but in an understated (rather than opulent) way.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.