2015 design trends – The Interiors Addict

Why the trend for black tapware is here to stay

By Rick Bazerghi

2013 was the year that black tapware first raised its curious head and became popular with brave bathroom and kitchen remodellers. However there was little choice and most of the products were finished in a powdercoated black paint which has a tendency to scratch easily. The electroplated items were far more durable but only came in a gloss or semi-gloss finish which looked cheap and was unpopular with developers and builders. The complications and constant product returns caused retailers to lower prices to clear remaining stock.

By late 2014, many retailers discontinued their range of black tapware due to the unreliable quality and growing customer returns. During this time, they tried to convince customers that black tapware was a fad and that the trend would soon be over, even though they were getting up to a dozen queries a day! Instead of looking for alternative suppliers and learning about this growing trend, they saved face and stood by their earlier decision to limit their black tapware range. Big mistake!

2015 came around and there was a flood of interest in black tapware, mainly due to popular TV shows such as The Block.
The contestants were bold and edgy and believed that this trend would be around for a long, long time. They had perfect judgement, as black tapware was beginning to be seen as a soft tone that worked with almost any colour scheme and material such as stone or timber. Contestants continued to use black tapware in their renovations week after week.

Retailers started to scramble for stock at this point. Everyone wanted black and anyone that wasn’t stocking it didn’t get a second chance with customers. It was soon apparent that not having a range of black tapware was going to hurt more than they realised, but there was no way they could keep using the same imported products as before. Very sharply, the demand went from black tapware to specifically high-quality electroplated matte black tapware and customer satisfaction instantly rose.

No other bathware trend has produced this much demand or shown similar awareness other than chrome tapware when it was first introduced. Even tapware shapes and sizes seem to come and go in a flurry, while traditional round or square designs tend to stand the test of time.

Black tapware is now available in most retail stores around Australia and will continue to grow in both availability and range. We will soon see more stores devote more of their showroom space to black, which has its heels firmly in the ground.

–Rick Bazerghi is a director at Meir Australia, who produce a premium range of electroplated matte black tapware, showers and accessories containing European parts. Clients include architects, interior designers, builders, stores and retail customers. They recently started exporting products to New Zealand and the UK.

By Neil Sookee

The 2015 Trends Forecast from Laminex Australia embraces global design trends and adds a hint of local flavour to inspire Australian homeowners and renovators. Three key themes – Essence, Impulse and Real – will influence interiors in 2015 and beyond. The three themes strip back to the bare essentials, encourage mixing colours, patterns and forms and embrace imperfections in natural materials.

Trend 1: Essence

Essence is about reduction and simplicity, stripping back to the bare essentials. With Essence, we look to the past for inspiration, but view retro colours and styling in a fresh, new way. After seasons of red and yellow-based greys, Essence introduces a movement towards neutral and cooler greys. To generate a natural palette of neutrals and grey, materials are pure with colours derived from the materials themselves. Deepest black and linen whites become the base for natural tones of wheat, stone and elemental greys. These tones become important alongside white.

Soft, feminine and poetic forms are key in this trend. In the absence of colour, texture and geometric forms are used as focal points in interiors.

Trend 2: Impulse

The opposite of Essence, Impulse is eclectic and maximal. Impulse celebrates the importance of spontaneity, encouraging us to be adventurous and creative. More is more when it comes to Impulse. Impulse evokes a sense of happiness. It’s a provocative mix, embracing items that don’t match. A wild fusion of styles, colour and patterns, geometric shapes and tantalising, energetic colours are central to the trend. There is a strong tendency for bold colour against a backdrop of white, light woodgrains, cool neutrals or fine greys. Also implied is the bleaching effect of strong sunlight that gives rise to faded colour, bringing a new take on nostalgia.

Impulse allows for the unexpected and unconventional and there is only one rule: there are no rules!

Trend 3: Real

Real looks to nature and the natural environment. The trend deals with authenticity and finding balance in a complex world, exploring a new mindfulness of natural elements. Natural materials like wood or stone are central to this trend. The colour palette is soft and harmonious, with vegetal colours showing an earthy and organic tendency. Greyed mid tones are important, as are copper, bronze and golds. Wood is the cherished material and wood tones turn light and natural – and less rustic. Imperfection is authentic and desirable.

Real reflects the lifestyle movement of Australians re-embracing ‘simple things’ such as farming, handmade products, home baking, gardening and craftsmanship. With the Real trend, high quality products with unsurpassed craftmanship and luxury are blended with vintage and handmade decorative items.

– Neil Sookee is the design director of Laminex Australia Group, a leading marketer, distributor and manufacturer of decorative surfaces throughout Australia and New Zealand.