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Kohler launches “Pearlized” sink, inspired by David Franklin’s MakerSpace residency

November 18, 2025 by David

Kohler is launching a new product finish called “Pearlized” inspired by our work at the factory during my MakerSpace residency in the Kohler pottery in Wisconsin. This couldn’t have been done without the help and collaboration with out team at Kohler and without the help of my wife Joanne and John Bueter who spent a lot of time prepping fish for the PVD chamber to achieve the finish.

Take a look at the article from Wallpaper Magazine

https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/interior-design/kohler-pearlized-finish

Learn More about David’s Experience at Kohler’s MakerSpace here.

Filed Under: ceramics, collaborations, News, Process, Residencies, Uncategorized Tagged With: ceramics, david franklin, fish, Kohler, makersspace, pearlized, sink

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Packing up the #pearlized fish from “Underlight” o Packing up the #pearlized fish from “Underlight” our installation with @kohler and designed by @harrynuriev and @crosbystudios thanks to @designmiami and all the people that made it possible.  Happy New Year!#slipcast #vitreouschina #fish #designmiami
The Underlight Experience @kohler @crosbystudios @ The Underlight Experience @kohler @crosbystudios @harrynuriev @designmiami @harrynuriev
The “Underlight” experience working with @crosbyst The “Underlight” experience working with @crosbystudios and @harrynuriev with @kohler and my amazing wife @indianolafranklin.  @designmiami has been the experience of a lifetime. It has bees so rewarding the all the beautiful people come through and take a minute to enjoy it.  Thank you to David and Nina Kohler  and the Kohler family for all of the support.  Learn more at the link in my bio!
Dreams coming true in #miami @designmiami thanks t Dreams coming true in #miami @designmiami thanks to @kohler @crosbystudios and @harrynuriev for his incredible vision for the space.
New @kohler sink with “Pearlized” finish inspired New @kohler sink with “Pearlized” finish inspired by working at Kohler Co.  on the “Scuola Di Pesci” sculpture made for Salone del Mobile 2024 in Milan Italy.  Our team in the @kohler pottery helped us test the limits of what was possible.  The associates we worked with were truly inspiring.  Thanks to Ruth and Herb Kohler for your legacy of inviting artists into the factory to learn and explore the possibilities.  Thank you also to @jmkac for supporting the program and selecting me 15 years ago.  Without the love, partnership and support of @indianolafranklin none of it would have been possible. #pearlize #ceramic #fish #fantasy #factory
Thanks to Anna Fixsen and @wallpapermag for the gr Thanks to Anna Fixsen and @wallpapermag for the great article about the fishy inspiration behind their @kohler “Pearlized” sink finish.  Read the article at the link in my bio!
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