Trends: Colorful Kitchens
When it comes to kitchen appliances black and white are staples. Stainless Steel may join them, or we may look back at these appliances in a decade or so and see them as dated, much as we did with the Harvest Gold and Avocado Green appliances of the 1970′s.
Trends are fun which is why Harvest Gold was so groovy back when it was the hot ticket. So, if you want a kitchen that’s really cutting edge, look for color. Vibrant colors are the new stainless.
Many appliance manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon. This means more choice for you and, eventually, more money left in your wallet as companies like Sears join in the fun. Here’s a look at what’s out there.
The French company, La Cornue (pictured above) started it all. They have always offered a very high-end product in any color you want. Their ranges come with your name engraved in brass. But if you don’t have $17,000 to spend, Blue Star (left) offers a range in a range of 22 colors for about $5,000.
Looking for something Italian?
Then how about this beauty from Bertazzoni (right)? Choose from 9 different colors. The price is about $3,400.
Kitchen color isn’t limited to ranges. This wall oven from Turbo Chef is available in several colors, including orange (above). This high-end product starts at around $7,000.
So do you mix and match your color appliances or stick with just one. (Stick with just one). Here’s a microwave (right) from Northstar. You’ll want the matching refrigerator, which I personally think is very cool(below).
I’ll just add here that I found a site with antique appliances and some new ones with that mid-century look. They sell these Northstar beauties. Elmira Stove Works can be found here.
Of course, we can’t let the kitchen have all the fun. The color trend is a happening thing in the bathroom as well. Ross Lovegrove weighs in with his new sink for VitrA.
But pleeeze, don’t paint the walls to match or your makeup will look funny.
These appliances are pricey. But as I said, once the color trend is established and companies such as GE take it on, the prices will come down. This was true with stainless steel. And remember, you’re paying for more than a fun color with appliances such as Lacanche (left). These companies make very good products.
Finally, if you’re working on a new kitchen, try KBB Online. They have a good buyer’s guide.
I’d like to know your opinion. Would you renovate a kitchen using orange appliances, or do you think it’s wiser to stay with stainless or white? If you like color, which one would you choose?
2 Responses to “Trends: Colorful Kitchens”
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Posted by Jennifer at Design Hole on August 10th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Yes, you must be bold to use orange. But the point would be to choose one appliance in this color – the entire kitchen would make your eyes bleed.
Orange? I don’t think so, not in appliances, not for me. Only because that wouldn’t be the element that I’d want to feature in the kitchen as a focal point. I’d rather put the emphasis elsewhere, such as a hood, more of an architectural statement, or cabinetry, countertops, things like that. But it sure is fun to look at them!