The Modern National Bordeaux range is a collection of solid brass tapware designed around a traditional two-handle silhouette with distinctive white stone handles. This page covers the full Bordeaux lineup available at The Blue Space, including basin mixers, basin sets, high-rise basin mixers, kitchen mixers, and wall bath sets across four finishes.
What is the Modern National Bordeaux range?
The Bordeaux is Modern National's heritage-influenced tapware collection. It uses a three-piece basin set configuration with separate hot and cold handles, a design approach common in period-style bathrooms, alongside single-lever mixer options for contemporary applications. The defining details are the white stone handles, cross-style spindles on the basin sets, and a backplate-mounted body on most pieces.
Modern National is an Australian-owned tapware brand with over 60 years in the market. All Bordeaux products carry Watermark certification, confirming they meet Australian plumbing and building standards.
What products are in the Bordeaux range?
The Bordeaux collection covers five product categories: basin mixers (standard and high-rise), three-piece basin sets (spout plus separate hot and cold taps), kitchen mixers, and wall-mounted bath sets. The standard basin mixer sits 144mm tall with a 116mm spout reach. The high-rise variant reaches 242mm overall height with a 168mm height to spout, suited to above-counter basins or vessel sinks. The kitchen mixer stands 292mm tall with a 233mm spout reach, making it compatible with deep laundry or butler sinks as well as standard kitchen benches.
Browse the full Modern National hub for accessories and other ranges that coordinate with Bordeaux products.
What finishes does the Bordeaux range come in?
Bordeaux tapware is available in four finishes: chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, and brushed bronze. Chrome is the entry price point, starting from $188 for the basin mixer. Brushed bronze carries the highest price across most product types, reflecting the PVD-style coating process used to achieve durability in warmer tones. Matte black and brushed nickel sit between these points. All four finishes use an electroplated coating over solid brass bodies.
If you are building a bathroom around warm metallic tones, the brushed bronze Bordeaux products pair naturally with travertine-look or stone tiles. See the taps collection for a broader comparison across brands and finishes.
What are the WELS and Watermark ratings for Bordeaux tapware?
All active Bordeaux basin mixers and basin sets carry a WELS 5-star water efficiency rating, which is the highest rating available in Australia. Basin mixers flow at 5 litres per minute (registration T36256) and basin sets at 6 litres per minute (registration T35481). The kitchen mixer also holds a 5-star WELS rating at 6 litres per minute (registration T36257). Every piece in the range is Watermark certified, as required by Australian plumbing regulations for any tapware connected to a water supply.
Where does the Bordeaux style work best?
The cross-handle basin sets and white stone detailing make Bordeaux a practical match for period-style renovations, federation homes, and bathrooms using subway tiles or marble-look surfaces. The range also works in transitional spaces where the goal is a clean, traditional silhouette without ornate detailing. The kitchen mixer's 292mm height and 233mm spout reach make it a functional choice for kitchens with deep undermount or butler sinks.
For bathroom layouts where the tapware needs to coordinate with a freestanding bath, the Bordeaux wall bath set (spout reach 200mm) provides a matching three-piece option. See the bathtubs collection for freestanding and built-in options that suit a heritage-influenced scheme.
How does the Bordeaux compare to other Modern National ranges?
Within the Modern National lineup, Bordeaux occupies the heritage or period-style position. It uses a three-piece basin set format and cross-style spindles, which distinguishes it from Modern National's more contemporary ranges that use single-lever or pin-handle designs. For buyers comparing Bordeaux to other brands, Phoenix Nostalgia and Caroma Contura II offer similarly traditional profiles but with different handle shapes and price positioning. The Bordeaux basin set prices range from $370 (chrome) to $489 (brushed bronze), placing it in the accessible mid-range for period-style tapware.
If you are comparing across brands, the bathroom basins collection includes wall-hung and above-counter options that work with traditional tapware configurations.
What construction materials and pressure ratings apply?
All Bordeaux tapware uses solid brass construction throughout. The operating mechanism is a 35mm ceramic disc cartridge, which eliminates rubber washers and reduces maintenance needs over the life of the product. Operating pressure is rated between 150 and 600 kPa, compatible with both low-pressure gravity-fed hot water systems and standard mains-pressure supplies common in Australian homes. The wall bath set is not WELS-rated (mixer valves without restrictors are exempt) but is Watermark certified.
