"Big Chill" appliances

[Bungalove]

Love the "Big Chill" dishwasher shown on page 52 of the June issue. The modern dishwasher in the kitchen of our 1950 house looks so out of place.

http://bigchillfridge.com/site/

Just wish this retro stuff wasn't so darn expensive! Does anyone know of any retro appliances that don't cost the farm? I realize it's a niche market, and also know about buying actual old stuff on Craigslist, etc.

[Breezy]

I would love to have a frig & stove in either the green or yellow. But for that to happen the prices would have to come wayyy down. I love those retro appliances. :)

[vintage girl]

I absolutely love the retro appliances, and the fun colors are great. I have a 1950 Wedgewood stove and adore it. But the originals are not for everyone. They stay hot all the time, as the burners pilots are on 24/7 and when you have something in the oven, you cannot even touch the stove, it is so hot. But they last forever and cook like gangbusters. Would love a retro-look fridge to go with it, but don't want to give up my water in the door feature of the modern fridges. Also the price is very very high:eek:

[RoseMary]

Vintagegirl--I don't know if this could work for you or not, but I grew up in a house with a gas stove and then had a butane stove when we first married. In both stoves, the pilot lights (on the top of the stove, not oven), were turned off without it leaking any gas. This required you to barely turn on a burner and then light it with a match. It wasn't dangerous and it sure did cut down on the heat in the kitchen, as well as save gas and/or butane. Of course, it won't work with the new stoves, but I don't think they have a pilot light that stays lit, anyway.

I'd love to have a vintage gas stove. The new ones are just too ugly unless you buy a retro-look stove, and they are way too pricey for me.

[vintage girl]

The way my stove is set up, you have to leave the burners lit all the time. If I turn them off, than I would have to shut off the gas and turn it back on each time, similar to propane stoves in RV's. Luckily the stove only gets real hot when the oven is on, not just the burners. I love my vintage stove. It cooks wonderfully, once you get used to it. Much much hotter than the modern gas stoves, so does take some experimentation to get it just right when cooking. :)

[RoseMary]

I really prefer cooking on gas, too, but for now, we are all electric:(.

[vintage girl]

I have cooked on both, but do definately prefer gas. With the cost of electricity in CA, I would go broke if we had an electric stove:eek:

[mavgal]

I absolutely love the retro appliances, and the fun colors are great. I have a 1950 Wedgewood stove and adore it. But the originals are not for everyone. They stay hot all the time, as the burners pilots are on 24/7 and when you have something in the oven, you cannot even touch the stove, it is so hot. But they last forever and cook like gangbusters. Would love a retro-look fridge to go with it, but don't want to give up my water in the door feature of the modern fridges. Also the price is very very high:eek:

I have a 1950's stove, wish it was a Wedgewood though, love the chrome! Yes, the pilots are on all the time, but I like it. I use it to "warm" stuff up, like soften butter, take the chill off the cat's food I just took out of the fridge. I wouldn't have a new stove if you paid me, they are so plain and ugly (my opinion!). And didn't they pass a law that you can't put windows in the doors anymore just because they aren't as efficient? I can't bake without a window, you use more energy checking your food by opening the door all the time than you do having a window (my opinion again!)

[Bungalove]

While I'd love to have a vintage-looking dishwasher (and microwave and fridge), I gotta admit I love my relatively new stove/oven. It has a window in the door so I don't think there are any laws against that. I like the smooth cooktop even more than I thought I would.

I'm in the maybe 1% of people who prefer cooking with electricity instead of gas. To me, gas stoves always smell bad, and the flames frighten me; I think I was burned by a gas stove as a child and they still give me the willies. (I know, I know, I should seek professional help! LOL)

[shabbychick]

I was looking at a magazine the other day, and there was an ad for Waverly with a row of washing machines all "painted" in a Waverly fabric. I thought seriously about whether a person could successfull decoupage fabric to an appliance like that because that would be some gorgeous washing machine!

[vintage girl]

Here is a website that sells magnetic applicance panels. They even have them for fridges. They are adorable and really not that expensive.:)

http://www.applianceart.com/default.asp

[shabbychick]

Those are cute! They even have a lot of roosters! I wonder if they'll come out with holiday themed magnets. Wouldn't it be cool to have a skeletal hand reaching out of your dishwasher with a glass of wine? I'd pay extra for that!!

[vintage girl]

I did find a site that had a lot of holiday themed ones (christmas mainly), but did not see a skeleton with wine:D

I really think these are a great solution, especially if you want to upgrade to a stainless look, but not buy new applicances. I have seen the stainless product used on HGTV and it came out really nice. they have a panel that has cherries on it and would go great with my 50's kitchen. May have to order it for my dishwasher:)

[Bungalove]

Vintage Girl, that site is so cool, thanks!

[koolmimi]

Thanks for sharing the website. I have a second fridge in my laundry room.. These would be great in there too.

Claudia

[ChapterTwo]

That site is great, vintage girl!

I visited the Kutztown Festival in PA last week and one of the vendors had magnetic panels that were "wall hangings". The one that caught my eye was an adorable scene of a living room with comfy chairs, a couch and windows, and then the magnets were all different dog breeds and many colors/types of cats! They were adorable, but each magnet was sold separately, so I imagine it could get pricey. I am sorry to say I didn't really look at the prices. :o