As Chief Creative Officer of Studio McGee, designer Shea McGee has seen it all when it comes to kitchen design. So much so, in fact, that when it came time to partner with Kohler on another design collaboration, she wanted to introduce some much-needed curvature and a little bit of character to one of the most utilitarian spots in a cook space: the sink.
The impetus? McGee is tired of what she calls the “commercial” kitchen trend. “Why does a serious cook need a cafeteria look in the kitchen?” she asked rhetorically during a roundtable discussion with Margaret Mazz, studio manager at Kohler, last month. She’s referring to that pro look that tends to feature minimal color and charm. It’s all about putting cleanliness and cooking power on display, like what you see below (think: stainless steel sinks and countertops, pro ranges, and utilitarian finishes like metal and concrete). But it just doesn’t feel warm or timeless — at least not in the way a more lived-in kitchen would.
Credit: RossHelen/Shutterstock
That’s why McGee is hoping to see a return to what she flagged as “tradition” and “more sophistication” in kitchens. Her firm’s new Audrine sink collection with Kohler plays right into this movement. Announced today and available next month, the Audrine range reinvents the popular farmhouse sink style with a counter-height integrated ledge and a slew of smart, functional accessories, including a basin rack, colander, and cutting board. With these sinks, you don’t have to choose between form and function.
Credit: Courtesy of Kohler
Crafted of smooth, nonporous fireclay and available in Kohler’s white and dune finishes, the Audrine sinks are available in apron-front, undermount, and bar configurations so you can get this look across multiple rooms of the house. They’re all quite stunning, but the standout in my book has to be the apron-front design, shown just above.
I’ve been looking at apron-front farmhouse sinks since I started my career nearly 15 years ago, and while I love this type of basin, they kind of always look the same — very rectangular. Sure, sometimes you’ll find fluting or a bit of a bend in the apron front, but McGee has added a beautiful curved lip to this version of the Audine, making it feel warmer and more elegant than any farmhouse sink I’ve ever seen before.
Credit: Courtesy of Kohler
Credit: Courtesy of Kohler
You can expect even more from the Kohler x Studio McGee partnership for 2026. A handful of other products will be launched at the Kitchen & Bath Show (KBIS) in late February, and the general vibe is the same: classic, thoughtful design that straddles the line between traditional and modern in the best way possible. These pieces are an investment, but you can feel good about the fact that they’re designed to withstand the test of time — and trends.
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