The latest innovation from Vogue UK is FloBar – a truly flexible heating solution that can offer both homeowners and designers endless possibilities. We talk to Vogue UK sales director Steve Birch to find out more.
Q: Tell us about the FloBar – what was the inspiration behind it and how does it work?
A: FloBar is a new collection of towel bars, designed with a concealed heating system and available in two bar designs, four joint styles and a premium range of finishes. Made in Britain from high quality brass and stainless steel, each model within the collection provides the flexibility to ‘make it your own’ all thanks to the patented FloBar System, which is 100% concealed with flush-mounted temperature controls.
It was inspired by rising consumer demand for personalisation in the premium interior design market and is the ideal solution for homeowners that appreciate traditional craftsmanship, coupled with the latest technology. The exclusive FloBar valve offers full temperature control as concealed flexible barrier pipes ensure safe, smooth water flow behind the scenes.
Q: What is its appeal to consumers?
A: Designed with today’s high-performance bathroom and luxury-seeking consumers in mind, all FloBar is plumbing is completely hidden from view within the bathroom wall, making the heated FloBars the primary design feature. Customers can choose from FloBar Form, a classic heated towel bar design with connections at each end or FloBar Flux, with open-end design and side connections, so that towels can slide on and off the FloBar with ease. Each model can be configured to suit the individual in a freestyle or ordered arrangement, on its own, in a pair or up to a series of 5.
Q: What are the advantages for bathroom designers and why should they consider using it?
A: The versatility and simplicity of the FloBar makes it an appealing option for bathroom designers in the luxury space – and we wanted to provide as much variety as possible for a custom look. This is why FlorBar Form comes in a 500mm or 600mm width, is available in four different joint styles – Standard, Mitre, Ball Joint and Flat – and in a range of luxe finishes including Brushed Copper, Brushed Stainless, Antique Copper and Brushed Nickel. Our sister product FloBar Flux is available in a 550mm or 650mm width and can be specified in Brushed Brass, Polished Chrome, Polished Brass and Brushed Copper. It also boasts four different joint styles – Original, Mitre, Ball Joint and Flat. Designers can enjoy the design freedom of FloBar in the same or opposing format, style and finish as a key part of a beautiful and highly functional bathroom with integrated heating.
Q: How easy is it to install?
A: We wanted to make it as easy and straightforward as possible to install which is why we supply FloBar heating kits with every component required to connect your choice of FloBar to your customer’s heating system, including the manifolds required to direct the water around the towel bars. We offer 2, 3, 4 and 5 bar FloBar kits and when purchasing a combination of two, an in-line connection kit is also required per pair. The simple installation is ideal for first fix bathrooms and the exclusive FloBar valve offers full temperature control as concealed flexible barrier pipes ensure safe, smooth water flow behind the scenes.
Q: What has the feedback from everyone been so far?
A: We have been blown away by the positive response from new and existing customers and are very proud to be flying the flag for British design and enterprise. With property experts indicating that house prices will continue to rise in 2022, home improvement is set to be increasingly important due to the shortage of family homes on the market and the need to improve existing properties. We are pleased that we can enable end users to enjoy products which are ‘designed in’ from the very start of their projects and play our part in raising the comfort levels of bathrooms and shower rooms nationally and globally.
