Breaking news on the retrosphere — GE is releasing a new “Artistry” line of appliances with retro styling. The line comes in two colors — black and white — with a focus on simplicity and attractive design. The line will be released in Fall of 2013, and is marketed towards young, first time homeowners who are looking for stylish and affordable kitchen appliances. The retro-contemporary design of the line ensures it will fit in a wide range of kitchen styles from modern to vintage. It is great to see new, affordable appliance options becoming available for those of us with an eye for retro style.
UPDATE: Alas, now discontinued.
Press release:
GE Unveils the First Line of Appliances Designed by a Millennial for Millennials
- Unique design focuses on simplicity, creating an entirely new aesthetic at an affordable price for first-time homebuyers, younger consumers
- GE Appliances has tripled investment in design over the last two years
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—June 26, 2013—(NYSE: GE)—With the introduction of the GE Artistry™ Series, GE’s designers focus on the needs of today’s generation of Millennials and their desire to uniquely express themselves. Created by a 27-year-old GE industrial designer with his own generation in mind, the Artistry Series provides first-time homebuyers with a distinctive and cool appearance at a price they can afford. This new line of stylishly sensible kitchen products includes five appliances: a gas range, electric range, bottom-freezer refrigerator, over-the-range microwave and top-control dishwasher.
Today’s Millennials comprise a significant number of first-time homebuyers; in fact, according to real estate brokerage company, Redfin, homebuyers in the 25- to-34-year-old age group make up the largest portion of homebuyers.
“These buyers are price conscious and design savvy, but also want appliances from a brand they trust,” said Lou Lenzi, director of GE’s Industrial Design Operation. “In today’s marketplace, affordable appliances tend to look the same; GE Artistry Series fills that void for consumers by offering unique-looking products not currently sold by other manufacturers.”
Designed to delight and disrupt at retail
Most appliances in this segment of the market have similar features that consumers use every day; the Artistry Series offers this, as well as a design aesthetic that will stand out in the home and on the retail floor.
“Investing in the design of these appliances was a top priority for our team,” said Lenzi. “We’ve tripled our design resources over the past two years, and after much research, Tomas DeLuna, industrial designer for GE Appliances’ Concept and Brand team, was tapped to lead the development of the Artistry Series. The look needed to be simple and approachable with very clean lines. DeLuna’s design sensibilities made him an ideal fit to lead the project.”
DeLuna took the opportunity to design for his own generation by focusing on touchpoints that mattered to him, in areas where consumers interact most with the product—handles, knobs and clocks. “Making the critical consumer touchpoints metallic, and set against either a pure, white gloss or black gloss finish, creates a look that is both familiar to our consumers, yet remains fresh and modern,” said DeLuna. “That’s what makes the GE Artistry Series special; the design is authentic and contemporary with a nod to the past not currently offered in the marketplace.”
The GE logo, visible as a badge on the appliances, also reflects this philosophy. The GE monogram with the words “General” and “Electric” recalls the product badges of the past, yet the juxtaposition of chrome and high-gloss color evokes the core, contemporary Artistry design principles.
Both the new dishwasher and refrigerator are ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances. The bottom-freezer refrigerator costs $49 to operate annually.
The full GE Artistry Series will be available in September 2013. Estimated retail price of the full GE Artistry product suite is $2,416.*
*Retailers set their own prices. Estimated retail pricing per appliance is as follows: bottom-freezer refrigerator, $1,099; top-control dishwasher, $499; over-the-range microwave, $219; gas range and electric range, $599.
Pam adds: It is sooooo interesting to see how GE seems to go out of their way to avoid using the term “retro”. They say “contemporary with a nod to the past.” But this suite of kitchen appliances is so old skool looking — they used an old fashioned logo — appliance white (no stainless steel!) — chrome — and analog! It’s like they are afraid of getting tagged with the retro-moniker out of concern it will pigeonhole them. Oh well. I see a lot of readers going for the stove and fridge, in white, at these prices. However, if you want more sensuous curves — and color — Big Chill is still your likely best go-to.
See all our stories about REFRIGERATOR options here — and be sure to see the Fisher Paykel counter depth, which has similar lines and is counter-depth!
Erin in Ohio says
My husband and I were very conflicted when we recently moved and left behind a pretty cool retro range. Our new kitchen has a white (yay!) electric range with a smooth cooktop (boo…NOTHING retro about it!). Since I’m a sloppy cook, I quickly fell in love with the easy-to-clean cooktop. But I still miss the retro look of our old range….This post has me feeling like I’ve died and gone to heaven! I’ll be first in line for these appliances!
duki says
Actually, a smooth cook top or ceramic top is not that new of a concept. When my parents moved into their currant home way back in 1979 (34 years ago), all the beautiful avocado kitchen appliances had been left by the previous owners. And among those appliances just happened to be a ceramic top stove! So, if anyone has a late 70’s kitchen, it would probably be completely appropriate to get the smooth cook top.
That’s just my humble opinion.
duki says
Correction: stove top
zumpie says
They’ve been around since at least the early 70’s, because my great Aunt had always wanted one. I will say the new ones are a vast improvement on the old—-which were made from corning ware and really hard to get clean!
duki says
You’re right. It was such a b**** to clean that after awhile we ended up with a bunch of burn marks and scratches.
Ana says
I’m in the market for a gas stove and REALLY want an updated vintage model in a cheery color (aqua, yellow, etc.). But I really like these so I’ll wait til they come out to make a decision. Nice job on the design by GE!
Julie Wood says
Thanks. We have a great group of designers here in Louisville. We’ve tripled the number in the last few years. –Julie Wood
Kelly says
It looks like they’re made w/a non-pebbled finish, too (yay!) – that’s the one thing I can’t handle with standard white/black appliances. I do wish they’d make the fridge countertop-depth, however.
(and should I be worried that I’m not anywhere close to being a “Millennial”? LOL) Thanks for the heads up, Pam!
cynzano says
Kelly, I too was mourning the lack of counter depth frig. Too bad.
Jenny says
Yes, w00t! I (whoops, almost used the h*** word again — sorry, Pam!) *strongly* dislike pebble-finished appliances; yuck.
Mary says
Love this new line!! Way to go GE!!
Dharma says
These look fantastic! I wish there was a wall oven.
Brenda says
I was thinking the same thing. I would need a small wall oven and a countertop elec. stove…
Josh LaPorte says
Brilliant! I love them! Especially the refrigerator, which looks sharp.
Having recently purchased several window and wall unit air conditioners, I hope GE (or someone!) will restyle those for better looks.
Stainless steel appliances are so totally passe.
Jenny says
I don’t think stainless is passe; I just think it was overdone. Some stainless appliances are still the sexiest thing on four legs. (Think Bertazzoni stoves, Fisher Paykel refrigerators, etc.) And stainless appliances were big in the 1950s, just not as big as colorful appliances. (And some modern stainless appliances are just ugly; someone’s idea of a good way to make a quick buck.)
Clare says
I agree. I have a 1957 JennAir cooktop and hood that are stainless–and they’re still working just fine (except for one burner at the moment). I just got new knobs for the stove, and they look great.
Also have a GE stainless double wall oven that’s original to the house. That just kicked the bucket recently, and when my husband pulled the panel off to see if he could fix it, we took one look at the wiring and gasped at the fact that we’d been using it for three years. We’ll be replacing that.
BUT the point is, the stainless looks very period. I think it’s more the oversized appliances that are being produced today that make the stainless feel over the top.
I’ll definitely be shopping for this new GE oven, though. The look, although not perfect or as dashing as the Big Chills, is the right price. Wahoo, I thought I’d have to grill outside far into December before I’d find something!
Jay says
Stainless is timeless for sinks, counters and appliances. It’s the hulking fridges in stainless that everyone insists they have to have or they will die. Think of stainless as a color that everyone wants now like pink in the 50s and avocado and gold in the 70s. Tour a FLW home and chances are the built-ins are stainless. Thermador appliances have always been stainless.
Ashly says
THAT is a sexy refrigerator.
Nancy Nucci says
I LOVE the fridge. The stove needs to have an even more retro look though.
pam kueber says
I am sure that GE is walking a fine line — if you want sexier retro, go look at Big Chill’s stove.
Dan says
I agree. It looks like a bottom-of-the-line model from back in the day.
Unless you are buying one of those wonderful new freestanding ranges with an induction cooktop and convection oven (in which case I am jealous), there is no real benefit in energy savings or technology in buying a new stove. In fact, I would bet the insulation and thermostat on my 1962 Frigidaire oven over most new stoves on the market. By all means, buy a new stove if you have your heart set on it, but the technology really hasn’t changed much over the years and in most cases parts are still readily available.
Dishwashers and refrigerators (unless we are talking about a pre “Frost-Free models – but many of them have a toxic coolant) are much more efficient than older models, but a stove is pretty much a stove.
Robin, NV says
I agree about the stove. While the clock is cool, it looks kind of forlorn all by itself. It would have looked WAY better if they’d done a long oblong or rectangular clock. As it is, it looks too little for the rest of the appliance.
Personally, I’m not digging this line. Putting a metal bar on the front of what otherwise look like standard appliances, is hardly “design.” But I’m not a millenial, so maybe I’m missing something.
Pam – thanks for always keeping us apprised of new stuff coming out!
pam kueber says
I do agree that the gas model — with those lovely big grates — looks better than the electric. In any case — this entire line is way better than any mainstream mass market line out there that I know of, in terms of retro style.
Jenny says
Pam, I agree that the gas model is more stylish than the electric, but glad they are offering both gas and electric.
Also — glad to see you on Houzz! So glad to have some company over there; there is not as much retro-love on Houzz (yet!) as there is here 🙂
Bob Connor says
One question I might ask them: If the oven is self cleaning, how are the controls for the SC mode handled? Usually there are touch pads and older SC ovens had buttons and knobs but I don’t see any on the range.
Chase says
We have a GE range in our apartment, the cleaning is handled by a small lever located between the cooktop and the oven door. It locks when the oven gets to a certain temperature and unlocks when it is no longer dangerous to open.
Dee says
I looked for a long time to find out whether this range was self-cleaning or manual. It turns out it is manual. I was disappointed at first and then I recalled that the reason I am in the market for a new range is because my old range stopped working after I used the “self-cleaning” feature. The same thing happened to my parents with their self-cleaning oven. Apparently, self-cleaning ovens have this tendency. My mom has discovered that simply putting a deep dish filled with ammonia overnight loosens the grime and does the trick so there is no real need for the self cleaning feature in the first place. I love that I am going to be able to afford the retro look without what is typically the retro price!!! I had initially purchased the Frigidaire Gallery Slide-in Range (white with stainless accents) but I returned it yesterday so that I can purchase this one from GE. Thank you GE!!
Jenny says
I’m also not a millennial, and I *am* digging this line. I’ve been waiting to get a stove for THREE YEARS because I hate modern stoves (they WILL NOT look right in my 1940s kitchen), the Big Chill stoves, while beautiful, are too expensive, and there aren’t many 30″ vintage stoves available in my area — and to get a re-conditioned one from one of the places that specialize in refurbishing old vintage stoves would run me as much as or more than a Big Chill stove!
These aren’t perfect — but for $599 I’m willing to compromise!!!
Kathy Merchant says
Jenny, I think you have hit on something. These new appliances that are neither strictly retro nor strictly today will fit the bill for those shoppers that need a new appliance but can’t afford/won’t spend the money it costs for more closely retro look or authentic rebuilt appliances.
Maybe if GE has success with this line they will be willing to commit to a more authentic looking reproduction in the near future. If not, buy it now before it is discontinued.
(FYI: I am on my way across town Sat to pick up an exact duplicate of my 1959 GE yellow wall oven that was featured here on Retrorenovation when I got parts from the Old Appliance Club to fix it. I am grabbing it while I can in hopes of holding on to it for parts. The woman even has yellow boomerang countertops but alas those are too short for my kitchen)
Kathy Merchant says
I should clarify, the vintage wall oven I’m picking up for genuine parts like knobs, shelves, handles, door etc. Don’t use worn out electrical parts. Be safe. 🙂
Jenny says
Jealous! Post pictures, please — would love to see your kitchen with your vintage yellow appliances! 🙂
kathy Merchant says
Jenny, you can see my 1959 GE kitchen photos here on this web site under reader’s kitchens. It is the story about the “GE wall oven” and getting parts/repairing it but there are also pictures of the wood cabinets, matching yellow cook-top & hood, yellow 50’s table & chairs & dishes.
A second story on this web site shows pictures of my dishwasher and how I made a vintage vibe “Betty Crocker dishwasher panel” for the front of it. I’ve even seen my dishwasher project pasted onto Pinterest! Thanks for the interest.
kathy Merchant says
“search” this web site for “Old Appliance Club comes to Kathy’s rescue” from July 2012. Seems my story is old enough it may have been removed from “reader’s and their kitchens” but it is still here in the archives.
Avril says
Kathy, I have (what looks like) a turquoise version of your yellow oven. It was here in the house when I purchased it. I had a repairman from my monthly service to come out to replace the bulb for the “bake-broiler” indicator on the right side He said there was no bulb there and showed me where it was blank. I know it was there as the light came on when I turned the oven on..he also said they do not make the anolog clock nor the thermostat anymore. How can they guy say that there was no such light when I have been using the oven for 30 years! Anyhow, he could not find the model/serial # as it was not visable. What model # is your…as mine looks just like it.. Thanks
Tami says
Agreed. The stove has the weakest design of all the pieces. This stove just looks cheap to me. I think they could have included a bit more retro panache in it: my 1957 GE range has a bigger clock with chrome ‘wings,’ topped by a red and chrome GE logo. I’ll stick with its awesome grooviness, thank you.
But I’m diggin’ that fridge and dishwasher. I’m particularly glad that the fridge not only features the bottom freezer, but isn’t a behemoth size. I hope it’s energy-star compliant too!
mollymcFABULOUS says
Haha, that was the first thing I thought when I saw the clock only had two hands! Good thing everyone has timers on their cell phones these days ;]
Mary Elizabeth says
Bravo for GE! Because of their simplicity, these will be great in almost any period kitchen. As for how to convince spouses that a new appliance is needed, my advice is to begin by asking for a horse, with a complete proposed budget for building a stable, installing fences, feed, tack, training, etc. Then work your way down to a new RV or automobile. (It has to be a style he or she would never go for.) By the time you get down to the dishwasher, stove, etc., it’s looking like a very cheap way to make you happy. 🙂
Of course, a more direct approach would be to throw a wrench into the dishwasher, let it dangle down to block the spraying arm, then turn it on.
Flowergal says
Good One!!!…LOL…
Melissa says
Spectacular advice!!
Laura says
We are in the market for a new suite of appliances for the house we just bought, and these fit the bill so perfectly! Can’t wait to see them available!