Name: Retro refrigerator one stop-shopping guide - 7 companies + 3 DIYs, full-sized
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Retro refrigerator one stop-shopping guide - 7 companies + 3 DIYs, full-sized

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A retro refrigerator can be a centerpiece of your kitchen, and over the past few years as interest in mid century design has boomed, many more options have become available. But this also means that if you’re in shopping mode, it can be hard to choose who makes the best retro refrigerator for your situation. So, I did the research and created this roundup, as complete as I could make it. In all, I give you 7 of today’s best sources for a brand new retro refrigerator — family sized, not those small ones — along with three ideas to DIY your existing fridge into your retro dream.To make this a one-stop shopping guide, I worked hard to deep dive into the real contenders — so this is a long story, and one informed by writing about retro kitchens and appliances for 15 years.&nbsp;Here’s the index:Sub-Zero [or another retro-looking-enough refrigerator that takes a custom color panel)Big ChillNorth StarSmegUnique AppliancesChambersVintagePaint your ownWrap your fridge in vinyl, or…Settle for a proxy to save money&nbsp;My first possibility for a retro-style refrigerator will likely surprise you, but barring buying vintage, it is hands down, the most authentic choice: Sub-Zero. That’s because Sub-Zero is not an interpretation of mid century refrigerators — it actually has been around for decades.The key to get the “authentic” retro version, though, is to specify it correctly That is:&nbsp;Note, all Sub-Zeros are counter-depth, so they nestle right into your cabinetry for that fitted kitchen look so important in the post-war era. [Wow, look at the vintage Revco refrigerators from back in the day, which epitomized this idea too!]For more in information on Sub-Zero refrigerators:And note re this approach: There are other companies that make refrigerators that take custom color panels. You could look for one of these too.Big Chill is, arguably, the biggest name among homeowners looking for a retro refrigerator. And deservedly so: I think that they have done a really nice job with the design of their appliances. The lines are curvy and attractive, but not overwrought, not cartoonish. Nice.Big Chill has two different designs that speak to the postwar era — the Original, which has a 1940s into 1950s look … and the Retropolitan, which evokes the 1960s and 1970s. I also show the New Classic, if your aim is to channel iceboxes of the 19th century and early 20th Century.Some key factoids about size and capacity of Big Chill refrigerators:Big Chill’s designs come in up to nine stock colors. Or, the company can paint your refrigerator a custom color at additional cost. What’s also great about this company is that they have a complementary line of retro ranges and stoves, cooktops, dishwashers, a microwave, and even range top hoods that are designed to help create a complete kitchen with a cohesive look.For more information on Big Chill retro and vintage-style refrigerators:North Star, which is a brand of Elmira Stove Works, has a nicely designed retro refrigerator available in three configurations in the U.S. (Two additional slimmer models are also available in Canada.) These fridges come in nine standard colors, all retro lovely. And custom painting is possible, too.One of the things I like about these single-door refrigerators is that they are&nbsp;not&nbsp;enormous — they are 18.2 or 18.5 cu.ft. Refrigerators back in the day were not as big as today!That said, North Star also has two French Door models with a retro look, and one of them offers more space. The other French Door model has less interior space — but it is counter-depth, a nice option if you want your refrigerator to tuck nicely into your cabinetry.&nbsp;North Star also has stoves in matching colors.Some key factoids about sizes and capacities of North Star refrigerators:More info on North Star retro refrigerators:I admit my head starts to spin when I look at the lineup of Smeg refrigerators on their website. They show something like 56 different models depending on the direction the door swings and the color.That said, there appear to be two basic designs: (1) A 57″ high fridge with an interior freezer compartment, and (2) a 75″ high refrigerator with a freezer on the bottom. They both are 24″ wide. So fundamentally, these are small-capacity refrigerators.I count 17 colors or exterior patterns (like flags) in the Smeg lineup. And, like some of the other companies on this page, Smeg offers some other products in coordinated colors so that you can have matchy matchy appliances throughout — dishwashers, ranges and hoods, dishwashers, toasters, tea kettles, blenders, and more.Info on sizes and capacities of Smeg’s two refrigerator designs:More info on Smeg refrigerators:Unique Appliances has retro-style refrigerators in two sizes and five colors + white. This company also has matching 24″ convection gas ranges in several of the colorways.eader Taylor alerted me to Chambers retro refrigerators, which currently come in two designs — (1) a refrigerator/freezer design and (2) refrigerator only. Yes: Chambers, as in the name brand of the famous maker of antique stoves. It appears like this revived name brand for appliances has been on the market about a year and more are coming. Thank you, Taylor, for the tip!More info on Chambers retro refrigerators:Over the 15 or so years of writing this blog, I’ve met a number of readers who are happily living with vintage refrigerators. There are companies that specialize in repairing and/or restoring old refrigerators (and stoves). Be aware: Old products can contain vintage hazards — I am not an expert, so get with a properly licensed professional to&nbsp;assess what you are dealing with&nbsp;so that you can make informed decisions. Professionals also can advise you on energy use issues.Here are some thoughts on where you might start to find professionals to help you:Painting an existing refrigerator a retro color can help you get the look at a potentially or relatively low cost. When I wrote about where to find red refrigerators, I talked about painting ideas and also got direct feedback from Rust-Oleum, a leader in paints. I again encourage awareness: If you’re sanding/or stripping/or painting, be sure to consider hazards possible in the layers –&nbsp;Be Safe/Renovate Safe.Ideas for painting:I heard recently from a reader-couple who had their existing refrigerator wrapped in vinyl by a company that does vinyl wraps for cars and the like. I’m working on a story and will add that link when it’s up, but meanwhile, here’s another possibility. Get with professionals to assess this approach.&nbsp;My last idea is to hunt for a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer from another manufacturer that approximates the look of those shown above. Although it will not be intentionally retro as the designs I’ve spotlighted above, this route could yield a less-costly but “close enough” option.One key consideration, I’d say, is that many mid century kitchens were fairly small. Choosing a smaller refrigerator — including a counter-depth refrigerator — could make a lot of sense in terms of getting an aesthetically pleasing, suitable proportion. That said: Back in the day, I think folks shopped more frequently (grocery stores did home delivery!), so a small fridge was fine, functionally. Fundamentally, a refrigerator is a machine for living, so of course, make the choice that makes sense for you!The other tip: Simple white refrigerators are a good proxy. Maybe you can even find one with chrome trim.&nbsp;Finally, note that I am not Consumer Reports, so can’t speak to quality / durability of any particular manufacturer or brand. On questions like this, see if you can find reliable sources — Consumer Reports (?) — who do independent testing, and of course, check out the manufacturer and their warranties.Comments are closed.&nbsp;17 commentsTry bestapplianceskins.com instead of painting. There are other sources for skins but I have never seen this crazy a selection. Not only do they have ready made skins, but thousands of images to choose from to customize a wrap.Hi, Pam — there’s one other option out there, which is a lot cheaper — the Galanz red retro fridge which is sometimes available from Home Depot. I have that one in my turquoise/red kitchen. It is small by modern standards, but actually just about perfect for a single person like me. I’ve been using mine for more than a year and I’m very happy with it.Galanz also has some smaller ones in retro styling, one of which I saw recently at Target. Availability of these fridges seems to be kind of touch and go, though.http://homedepot.com/p/Galanz-7-6-cu-ft-Mini-Retro-Refrigerator-in-Red-BCD-215V-62H/302754338Hot Damn! on the Chambers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a 1952 Chambers in copper finish that I had restored, it’s a wonder and a show stopper! If I knew about the fridge,,…. darn it I just got a new one a year ago… But next time!I guess it’s rare for the doors to have the hinges on the left? The way Big Chill does their left-hand hinge …meh, not a fan. Thanks for the timely article, Pam. The fridge is next on my hit list. Been having to disassemble the freezer to get all the ice out every couple years. I’m really considering getting a new one and having it painted at a body shop and seeing if I can fashion some shiny metal trim to it in a convincing way…Would have liked some pricing information with your perspective on value for money. I’ve priced these before and for the average homeowner, all of the options are pretty expensive.Problem is these are soooo expensive!Maybe refrigerators were also smaller as many homes had coolers. A cabinet that was open to the basement or crawl space and screened on the bottom. The shelves tended to be slatted or not full depth so the cooler air could circulate. A good place for eggs, produce, or anything that did not need to be quite as cold.Looking for small upright freezer, in vintage lookThe Chambers brand hasn’t seemed to infiltrate the U.S. very far. Probably saved myself a bunch of money just because it isn’t available.I picked up a Kitchenaid fridge, counter depth, white with stainless steel handles and it fits my vintage kitchen so well that multiple people have assumed it was original to the house! Granted the french door style is modern, but it has an internal ice/water option and plenty of space. The kitchen has Murray steel cabinets and tile on the walls AND ceiling so it needed something with vintage styling as a fridge, but I couldn’t drop the money for a Big Chill. I found this option as a floor model and am very happy with it.

A retro refrigerator can be a centerpiece of your kitchen, and over the past few years as interest in mid century design has boomed, many more options have become available. But this also means that if you’re in shopping mode, it can be hard to choose who makes the best retro refrigerator for your situation. So, I did the research and created this roundup, as complete as I could make it. In all, I give you 7 of today’s best sources for a brand new retro refrigerator — family sized, not those small ones — along with three ideas to DIY your existing fridge into your retro dream.To make this a...

Retro refrigerator one stop-shopping guide - 7 companies + 3 DIYs, full-sized

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