Inspiration awaits at the new Kohler Signature Store.

Tile City & Home Centre reopened its upgraded showroom at 114 Constant Spring Rd under the Kohler Signature Store on Thursday, May 2 as part of a long-standing partnership with Kohler, the global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, cabinetry, tile and home interiors.

SO is back at the reimagined showroom for a closer look at the in-store displays by female designers Karina Matalon, Joelle Smith, Rochelle Thwaites, Vanessa Paisley-Clare, and mural artist Deon Green that allow decorators and specifiers to walk into the store with a vision and leave with a plan to bring their designs to life.

Karina Matalon

Suite 1

Inspiration

Drawing on my signature aesthetic of bright, airy interiors, my goal was to infuse Suite 1 with a sense of modern elegance while complementing the showroom’s exterior palette. The design inspiration centres on crisp, white interiors contrasted with striking black accents.

Design Elements & Unique Features

The small square tiles, reminiscent of traditional Moroccan ceramics with irregular edges, were placed floor-to-ceiling, providing texture and visual interest without overwhelming the space. The matte white finish allows the black hardware collection to take centre stage.

There are many square elements in the suite so the asymmetrical oval sink serves as the design focal point. The wallmounted faucet, with its single-handle design, offers a unique functional touch as it controls both the on/off activation and emperature.

The teak drain cover and bone-wood effect floor tiles infuse warmth into the cool black and white palette, while the vintage blue Kohler poster and potted plant provide pops of colour and natural elements.

Men’s Bathroom

Inspiration

The thinking behind the men’s bathroom was to recreate the ambiance of a dark, moody, sophisticated men’s cigar lounge.

Design Elements & Unique Features

Black concrete wall tiles with variations in texture create both depth and visual interest and the deep black ceiling paint colour enhances the moody atmosphere.

Matte wall and floor tiles provide the perfect backdrop for the gloss finish on the vanity and brass hardware.

Vintage black and gold Kohler posters, framed in a brass finish, pay homage to the brand’s history while adding an artistic touch to the space. Integrated lighting in the mirror and round brass faucet handles offer unique accents, adding luxury and refinement to the bathroom. Lastly, the ceiling light fixture with clear glass dome shades and mixed metals tie every design element of the bathroom together.

Joelle Smith

Suite 2

The purpose of a showroom is twofold: to display products and inspire clients to see things in a new light. And that’s our hope through all of our projects at If Walls Could Talk.

There are infinite combinations of finishes and materials that can personalise a bathroom, and my intention was to display creative ways of utilising Kohler fixtures under the Purist and Enivo Line of products.

I chose bold combinations of black fixtures with wood-look tiles, and infused colour to appeal to a bohemian aesthetic.

This transitioned into a more contemporary look with mirrored wall tiles, followed by the infusion of textured tiles and wallpaper to set a modern tone.By utilising matte black fixtures, brass accessories and a wood-look accent tile throughout, we cohesively integrated three different aesthetics within one vignette, which will appeal to a large cross section of buyers.

Rochelle Thwaites

Suite 3

My main inspiration for Suite 3 was the Artifacts free-standing bath tub. For me, it had a sexy New York loft feel that I wanted to encompass into design of the space. With that in mind, I envisaged something unique, so

I chose this wood mosaic tile as the back drop for the tub. What I love about this multidimensional tile is that it is solid teak and can actually be used in areas with high moisture. Along this wall and the shower area, I went with a glass tile. It is reminiscent of an oil slick iridescent finish with hints of bronze that picks up the colour of the wood.

I have to point out that these Harken cabinet handles also coordinate perfectly with the wood tile as well. The Central Park West faucet & fixtures has a sleek clean feel that is timeless. The colour of the Harken cabinet against the tiled wall is very rich and clearly helps to bring the space together. We also have the Curated Cartesian Vanity opposite the vanity and what is so cool about this understated cabinet, is that it is glass! All in all, I absolutely loved how this all came together.

Suite 4

The Kohler fixtures, hardware, cabinet, and lighting you see here in Suite 4, all embody a traditional design aesthetic. I felt this was the perfect opportunity to pay homage to the architectural elegance of the Jamaican plantation-style great house. The Jacquard cabinet’s dark wood finish and the black and white checkered tiles, were a design staple during that era that represented sophistication, and still does today The mosaic tiles serve as a complementary contrast to the smooth marble porcelain tile, which ties in perfectly with the handles of the Artifacts Howlite faucet.

The classic detailing of the bathtub, toilet, and pedestal sink further enhances the overall look. Finally, to add the finishing touch, I adorned the suite with this exquisite wallpaper, which I believe speaks for itself.

Vanessa

Paisley-Clare

Suite 5

The sophisticated Robern Bergman vanities and Kalista Per Se faucets are the centrepieces of this suite.

The design inspiration came from the vintage glam colours, textures and curves in the vanity. The Figure Shell mosaic tile emphasises its timeless elegance, playing on the softness of the arches and muted tones in the finishes on the vanities and paired fixtures and accessories.

Ensemble 3

The bold and sleek Robern Sendai vanity and Kallista Myam vessel sink set the tone for this space. I chose the bold, large format Porcelanosa Emerald

Green Marble wall tile to paint an eye-catching contrast colour behind the moody black and gold fixture selections, with marbling that complements the sculptural vessel sink.

Deon Simone

The overall design concept draws inspiration from Jamaica’s rich natural beauty and cultural symbols.

The Colour Selection Explained

The colour scheme evokes a sense of paradise. While the suite design pays homage to Jamaica’s beauty, the colours were carefully selected to allow for a more universal appeal while still capturing the essence of a tropical paradise.

Mural + Mirror + Vanity + Toilet

This design portrays the ackee fruit as a woman. Behind her, a scenic Jamaican landscape bathed in sunlight.

Sink

The sink design seamlessly extends the overarching aesthetic. This design pays homage to our national bird, the hummingbird.

Bathtub

Continuing the journey through paradise, the design captures the beauty of local flora.

The Layout

The layout highlights four Kohler essentials: round mirror, sink, toilet and freestanding bathtub.

Mural, Mirror, Vanity & Toilet

Wall: The mural features an ackee as the focal point. Its seed forms her high bun hairstyle, its flesh shapes her face, and her hands represent the outer shell. The backdrop showcases a sunlit, mountainous Jamaican landscape. The phrase “Come All Creators” originates from the Kohler community, celebrating Kohler’s history and their creators from the past, present and future.

Mirror & Vanity: The Kohler round mirror symbolises warmth and sunshine. This custom vanity, crafted by a local carpenter, seamlessly integrates into the mural, against the backdrop of the Blue Mountains

Toilet: The Kohler toilet in aspen green, complements the colour scheme and intentionally lacks artistic elements to avoid overcrowding the overall design.

Sink: The sink, resting atop the Blue Mountains, extends the overall aesthetic. At its heart, the centerpiece celebrates the intricacies of the hummingbird.

Bathtub

Continuing the theme and colour scheme, the bathtub design extends the Blue Mountain range highlighting the vibrant flora often hidden in its peaks.