meir australia – The Interiors Addict

Black tapware leader, Meir, launches stunning new metallics

Not satisfied with having the largest range of black tapware in the world, thriving Australian business Meir has branched into mixed metals. And they’re gorgeous! I’m earmarking them for my future bathroom renos right now!

Those in the know will confirm that the trend for black taps is most definitely here to stay but other colours (basically, anything but been-there-done-that chrome) are emerging as future classics too. And this was clear at all the big international design trade fairs this year.

The Melbourne family business have spent the last 12 months behind the scenes working on the new additions to their premium matte black tapware. Tiger Bronze and Champagne are the first of four upcoming colour finishes to be released in as many months and here at Interiors Addict, we are in love! Tiger Bronze is a unique combination of bronze and copper and Champagne is a beautiful cool gold.

Bath, shower and kitchen mixers, shower heads, toilet roll holders, towel rails, wall and basin mixers are all available.

Today’s bathrooms are so much more than utilitarian spaces; they’re sanctuaries. And consumers are keener than ever to add a little luxury and personality to this space. We think tapware is the jewellery of the modern bathroom. And even if you’re reluctant to be too ‘out there’ with your bathroom choices, statement tapware on a simple and classic subway tile backdrop for example, can make a huge impact.

Equally, in kitchens, that mixer tap can be the crowning glory.

“We’ve been working with leading Australian architects to create a range that’s the very essence of luxury tapware. This product also fulfils consumer demand on modern colour trends,” says CEO Rick Bazerghi. “By limiting the Tiger Bronze selection to a small portion of our overall range of products, it offers customers an exclusive and bespoke product.”

Handcrafted and made with European parts, this premium range is priced higher than its traditional chrome or matte black counterparts. It’s available to the general public through any of the company’s stockists (including Reece and Harvey Norman Commercial) or online at The Block Shop.

Meir is showcasing Australia as a leader in bathroom trends, expanding internationally this year with a London office and distributors in Amsterdam, Cape Town and Auckland. They have plans to open up offices and distribution in Dubai, Singapore, Denmark and Japan.

Customers benefit from a no-questions-asked returns policy and excellent customer service, with a receptionist available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information.

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.