Tag: tap

Australian bathroom trends: March 2018 edition

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 28, 2018
No Comments on Australian bathroom trends: March 2018 edition

While it only seems like yesterday that we brought you our monthly bathroom wrap, it’s time to share our latest wet area finds yet again. From a rustic basin to a high-tech toilet, there’s plenty of fabulous new bathroom finds.

IB Rubinetterie Kelly Hoppen Zero 3 wall spout square: Featuring the celebrated American designer’s signature clean lines, this timeless chrome mixer that would complement just about any bathroom. The range features basin and shower fittings too. $990.

Merwe Arroyo Basin: A fabulous rustic basin alternative, this beauty has been pre-patinated to give it a weathered, one of a kind finish. The patina (or tarnish) process can take decades so this is perfect for those that cannot wait. As a bonus, the patina gets better with age. $2499.

Roca In-Wash Inspira smart toilet: For a technical product, this toilet looks very slick. You may have come across toilets like these in Japan (think all sorts of whizz bangery that you didn’t know you needed) and now you can get one for yourself at the relatively affordable price of $3500. My favourite feature is the in-built night light.

Beaumont Tiles Vulcanic Ash tile: It’s the large format (747mm x 747mm) and industrial aesthetic that impressed us with this rectified porcelain tile. Ideal for a large bathroom the finish is inspired by volcanic rust and rock.

Goccia basin mixer with spout: Inspired by the fluid shapes of water (the spout looks like a water droplet), this matte black mixer has gorgeous slim lines.

An incredible $2000 bathroom makeover

Tags basins, bathroom, bathroom wares, design, mixer, tap, tiles, toilet, washbasins

Kitchens

Black tapware leader, Meir, launches stunning new metallics

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 25, 2017
No Comments on Black tapware leader, Meir, launches stunning new metallics

Bathroom trends: What’s new in tapware?

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date June 21, 2017
No Comments on Bathroom trends: What’s new in tapware?

By Rob Sinclair

When it comes to predicting what’s hot in interiors, it usually pays to look to the northern hemisphere, two seasons ahead of us, for inspiration and what is set to hit Australian shores.

I saw these trends first-hand this season after attending the ISH bathroom fair in Frankfurt, with all the powerhouse brands from around the world under the one roof. Overall when it comes to the bathroom, we’re seeing people wanting to create luxurious spaces for relaxation and escapism. Bathrooms are becoming a spa and wellness retreat in their own right, with people investing in things like rain showers and tapware with beautiful finishes that are not only functional but create a sense of luxe in the bathroom.

A standout at ISH was the sheer amount of tapware in different colours, finishes and textures. And with tapware being an easy way to update your bathroom without necessarily undergoing a complete renovation, I thought I’d share some of the biggest trends to come out of ISH.

Colours

Tapware has come a long way in recent years, with so many options available when it comes to colours. Matte black is popular, and I can’t see that trend going anywhere, as well as copper, brass, rose gold and bronze. I think we are also going to see more of white tapware as it creates a crisp and fresh look.

Finishes

The trend is growing towards natural, matte finishes on fixtures and fittings offering a raw, industrial and old-world look. PVD, or physical vapour deposition, is a method of producing thin films and coatings for your tapware, guaranteed to provide durability and sustainability. Layers of colour are usually deposited onto stainless steel to replicate copper and brass looks. Gessi offered more than 20 different types of these finishes to choose from at ISH, and Hansgrohe had 16, which demonstrates this look will be here to stay.

Texture

We will see tapware – both the base and spouts – treated with a kind of three-dimensional effect or structure on its surface. Think dimples (like a golf ball), ‘pimples’ and other 3D shapes. Brodware is another one of my favourite tapware brands, and their new Yokato series has a knurled surface that adds to the vintage textured look.

Trending colours:
Copper
Bronze
Brass
Matte black
Rose gold
White

Finishes:
Raw
Industrial
Vintage
3D

Brands to look for:
Gessi
Astra Walker
Brodware
Hansgrohe

–Rob Sinclair is joint managing director of e&s

Tags astra walker, bathroom, bathroom fair, brodware, colours, E&S, frankfurst, gessi, hansgrohe, ish, rob sinclair, tap, taps, tapware, texture, trends

Bathrooms

Super luxe: The latest designer bathroom wares

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 20, 2017
No Comments on Super luxe: The latest designer bathroom wares

From an ultra sleek mixer designed by interior designer Kelly Hoppen to copper and black tapware and even a crystal basin, bathrooms have never looked so luxurious. It’s also never been easier to create a custom, bespoke vibe – one of the biggest design trends of late.

Ex.t Stand bathtub: While inspired by the cast iron baths of the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Stand bathtub is a much more modern alternative. Available locally from Meizai, you can choose from black or white metal feet and there’s a matching basin too. $3,057.

iB Rubinetterie Zero 2 basin mixer: Another Italian design, this time from the iconic iB Rubinetterie who collaborated with American interior design maven Kelly Hoppen to create this slick design. Fully customisable, the stem is available in a glossy rose gold, gold, white and warm grey with the option of a matte black finish as well. Additionally, the lever’s colour offerings are glossy black, white or warm grey. Priced from $660.

Pittella crystal collection: Out of Melbourne, this is the perfect range for those who like their interiors big on glamour. Comprised of 24 percent lead (for increased light refraction which creates a glistening effect), this collection is made by skilled artisans on the iconic Italian ‘glass island’ of Murano. Priced from $1,699.

The Pittella Luxor bathroom basin, $2,104, is quite the statement!

The Pittella crystal door knob, $610 per pair, allows you to coordinate your bathroom cupboard doors.

Pittella’s Collier basin, $1699, is made from pure black crystal with a clear crystal base ring. Ooh la la.

Dorf Epic Bloc collection: Dubbed ‘designer jewellery’ for the bathroom, this collection features black, gold, rose gold and copper options. As a bonus, this range also boasts efficient energy saving technology ensuring hot water wastage is reduced. Priced from $99.

Dorf Epic Bloc collection metallic basin mixer in black and rose gold, $579.

Tags bath, bathroom, bathroom accessories, bathroom fittings, bathroom inspiration, bathrooms, bathroomware, design, Dorf, iB Rubinetterie, interiors, kelly hoppen, meizai, pittella, tap

Kitchens RENO ADDICT

Why the trend for black tapware is here to stay

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date April 5, 2016
5 Comments on 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.

Tags 2015 design trends, bathroom design, bathrooms, black taps, black tapware, kitchen, matte black taps, meir australia, tap, taps, tapware, the block

Bathrooms Designers

Michael Wilds wins Reece Bathroom Innovation Award 2015

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 18, 2015
No Comments on Michael Wilds wins Reece Bathroom Innovation Award 2015

Sculpture, sustainability and function prevailed in this year’s Reece Bathroom Innovation Award, which called on professional and student designers to conceive an innovative tapware concept for the contemporary bathroom environment.

Industrial designer Michael Wilds was named winner of the professional category, receiving a $10,000 cash reward and the opportunity to have his tap design prototyped by Italy’s largest tapware manufacturer, Nobilli. His winning design, Incline, combines sustainable water use features and a refined sculptural form to create a functional tap.

Judges admired the original thinking and space-saving minimalism of the design, which features a timed tap feature and visual countdown element that allows the user to monitor their water use through time. The tap’s striking design attracted the judges’ attention for its sculptural simplicity and architectural form.

Bryce winning design — Bryce Beard’s winning design

University of New South Wales fourth-year industrial design student, Bryce Beard, won the student category. Bryce’s winning tap design, Totus, will see him receive a $5,000 cash prize and a two-week internship with the design team of world-leading bathroom manufacturer, Roca. The internship will take place in Barcelona, Spain, where Roca is headquartered and promises to be a career-defining experience for Bryce.

His winning design takes inspiration from old thermostats, combining the function of adjusting water temperature and flow in a single conceptual mixer design. A special LED light feature provides a visual gauge for the user, with changing colour intensity representing different temperature levels.

Bryce Beard's winning design — Bryce Beard’s winning design

Now in its tenth year, the BIA is one of Australia’s most respected product design competitions, encouraging and celebrating innovative bathroom design by providing a platform for entrants to share their talent and gain local and international exposure.

For more information.

Tags bathroom, bathroom innovation award, bia, Bryce Beard, design, interiors, Michael Wilds, Nobilli, reece, reece bathroom innovation award, roca, tap, tap design, taps, tapware

Before & Afters Kitchens RENO ADDICT Shopping

3 new designs for Zip Hydrotap to suit any kitchen

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date July 15, 2015
No Comments on 3 new designs for Zip Hydrotap to suit any kitchen

One of Australia’s most innovative companies, Zip Water, brings you a new generation of the world’s most advanced drinking water appliance – the Zip HydroTap – in new design styles and colours to suit any kitchen.

Combining great looks and functionality, the new HydroTap Design and Celsius ranges put crystal clear, delicious boiling, chilled or sparkling filtered water at your fingertips in an instant. The new Zip HydroTap Design range incorporates the latest innovative technologies to instantly give you water of unparalleled purity.

Sure to please even the most discerning palate, there are three new elegant options to choose from in a range of finishes including bright chrome, brushed chrome, matte black and gloss black.

Zip HydroTap Arc – Combining form with functionality, Arc’s elegant swan’s neck curve will complement any contemporary kitchen and the crystal clear water will refresh your wellbeing.

Zip HydroTap Cube – Make it the centrepiece of your kitchen. Cube’s inspiring design gives you the style and water you’ve always desired.

Zip HydroTap Elite – Style, substance and sustainability meet in this simple yet sophisticated design. Elite demonstrates just how beautifully engineered a Zip HydroTap can be. User-friendly operation is achieved via a single lever – use it to select the type of water you want (i.e. Filtered Boiling, Chilled or Sparkling water) and the button changes colour to match – red for boiling, blue for chilled still and white for chilled sparkling. Then simply pull the lever forward for hands-free continuous filling or push it away for momentary dispensing.

Zip Industries has also unveiled its Zip Celsius range, which delivers both hot and cold functionality from a single tap. Available in Arc and Cube designs with a choice of four stylish finishes, filtered, boiling chilled or chilled sparkling water can be selected at the touch of a button – no more waiting for the kettle to boil or wasting money on expensive bottled water.

Every tap in the Zip HydroTap Design and Celsius ranges is also equipped with the amazing Zip 0.2 micron filtration system – which instantly delivers the purest, tastiest water free from dirt and contaminants as small as 1/5000th of a millimetre. Chlorine taste and odour is completely removed while fluoride is retained, making each and every glass healthier and more enjoyable. With advanced energy efficiency and best-in-class cooling technology, the Zip HydroTap performs to the highest standards of environmental responsibility and sustainability. Unlike water-cooled systems, its air-cooled ventilation system doesn’t waste precious water and, more importantly, the new G4 models have taken a quantum leap forward in efficiency by using up to 53% less energy than superseded models.

For more information.

Tags arc, chilled water, cube, design. swan, elite, g4, hot water, hydrotap, kitchen, sparkling water, tap, water, water filtration, zip hydrotap, zip industries, zip tap, zip water

Appliances Kitchens

Hot, chilled and sparkling water from the one tap. Yes please!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 26, 2014

ZIP Industries have introduced the G4 ZIP Hydro into the Australian market; the only tap in the world able to produce sparkling, boiling and chilled filtered drinking water from one tap.

The integrated new Zip 0.2 micron filtration system removes dirt and contaminants up to 25 times better. Even the taste and smell of chlorine is removed, but fluoride is retained.

Intelligent design coupled with new technology creates a low energy, air-cooled ventilation system with superior performance and better environmental responsibility. The G4 is now even more energy efficient and unlike water-cooled systems, it doesn’t waste water.

Since its introduction over 10 years ago, Zip HydroTap has earned a reputation for unparalleled quality. They’ve confidently extended their warranty to 5 years on the G4.

I noticed a lot of my friends in the UK had these in their kitchens. I want one!

Priced from $2,500. For more information.

Tags drinking water, filtered water, hot water, kitchen, sparkling water, tap, zip hydro, zip industries, zip tap

Appliances Kitchens

Brita 3 Way Water Filter Dispenser makes water smell waterier

Post author By Damian Francis
Post date June 7, 2013

There is a serious side to this post where we tell you that Brita has released some pretty handy new appliances. Unsurprisingly in the filtered water category. There’s also a fun side, but we will get to that later.

Firstly, the serious part. Brita has launched its 3 Way Water Filter Dispenser which you can attach to a range of four European designed bench top taps. Your options are Square Neck, Swan Neck, Brita 90 Degree and Brita 45 Degree. Prices start at $379 and top out at $499. It’s a DIY and pretty affordable option. If you buy a lot of bottled water this should pay for itself quite quickly.

The taps connect to the Brita filter below the sink and there is a separate lever for regular tap water and the Brita filtered water. The filter itself is apparently easy to install and requires no additional drill holes or anything messy like that.

Tags brita, diy, drinking water, filtered water, gary mehigan, kitchen, masterchef, tap, tap water, water