This morning I wrote about my new Runtal electric baseboard heater. I chose it because of its classic retro styling — I am *sure* that the “Omnipanel” design (also on the towel warmer design above) — has been around a long time. While I was over on the Runtal website, I also took a look at their towel warmers. I love these, too! I think that lots of folks would like their vintage bathrooms to be warmer. If you are doing a remodel and have the walls open, that would be the time to add one of these Runtal towel warmers — which, in reality, throw enough heat to be called radiators. There are seven distinct styles and many colors.
Here is what Runtal says about their towel warmer radiators:
For years now, Europeans have found the key to unlocking a bathroom’s potential is the comfort provided by the Runtal line of towel radiators. Runtal towel radiators offer comfortable radiant heat in the bathroom while at the same time providing the luxury of warm, dry towels and bathrobes.
· All towel radiators are available in electric and hydronic models.
· All towel radiators are available in various sizes and colors.As a Bathroom Heater: Just as the sun provides for optimum radiant comfort, Runtal towel radiators radiate heat evenly, gently and quietly. Runtal European-style towel radiators are available in either self-contained electric models or hydronic models which integrate into a closed-loop forced hot water heating system. Model types and sizes allow for variations in heat outputs that enable a towel radiator to be used as a supplemental heater or as the sole source of heat for the entire room.
As a Towel Warmer: As a towel warmer each Runtal product is designed to maximize towel warming capacity. There are few sensations in the world which match the feel of a toasty towel or bathrobe after bathing. From a practical perspective, Runtal towel radiators help reduce mold and mildew and keep towels fresh between laundering.
Versatility: Not only for the bathroom, Runtal towel radiators provide an attractive and versatile means to warm other difficult to heat rooms such as kitchens, entryways, laundry rooms and any room where comfort is paramount and space is limited.
There are hard-wire and plug-in models, and you can get a programmable thermostat.
We grabbed a bunch of photos from the Runtal website and online brochure — I am also pretty certain that many of the designs shown there are “retro” to the 1980s and 1990s — you can kind of tell by the bathroom designs. What do you think? How old are these bathrooms?
Above; I love how Runtal has transformed an Omnipanel towel warmer into a wall heater and coat rack, by encasing it in wood. This is very cool… very…. 1980s… but also very now!
Oooh, and how about this cozy warming drying rack for a laundry or mudroom room (above)? Runtal offers a drying rack insert and knobs for the Omnipanel.
My sense is that these Runtal towel warmers were *popular* in the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s… but not so much today. But, I don’t really know. Readers — do any of your read “popular” home decorating and interior design magazines? Do you see them? Is mainstream America into these? I think, for sure, that there is a solid place in “retro America” for them. I like ’em!
Link: Runtal Towel Warmers