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!
Jay says
Well, hate to be the downer but I sure hope they put some quality into the product besides the looks. I purchased a GE coil cooktop five years ago. What a piece of Chinese j****. I would not have bought it if I knew that was the case. I wanted old technology coils to complement the original kitchen and the still working Westinghouse wall oven. I know it won’t last 56 years. I am seriously contemplating replacing it but it will mean another new counter top to accomodate the new unit.
Julie Wood says
Jay – I am truly sorry to hear about the issues with your current GE cooktop. I’d like to have our team help you. Would you please email the details to eresponse@ge.com? –Julie Wood, GE Appliances
Jay says
Wow! Didn’t know the site was being monitored by a GE rep. Thanks! I will do that. I would like to think the company stands behind its products.
pam kueber says
Yes, minutes before I was about to invite Julie (who sent me the product info) to subscribe to comments in case there were questions that came up — she started replying on her own. 🙂
Laure Chipman says
Very nice! For retro-looking ranges though, Hotpoint has a very appropriate style, and pretty inexpensive, too. (You have to settle for a digital clock, though.)
Tina says
I wonder if there are any plans for an in-counter cook top to go with this line–that’s what we’re currently in the market for.
Julie Wood says
Hi. No plans to expand the line at this time, but we’re hopeful. –Julie Wood, GE Appliances
Jenny says
Do you just mean a counter cooktop? With no oven? Because there are several manufacturers who still make retro-looking (in my opinion) counter cooktops — Google Kupperbusch and Bosch stainless gas cooktops.
lynda says
These look great. Nice alternative to the expensive retro appliances like Big Chill or Northstar from Elmira. I hope the other manufacturers will follow suit. I wish someone would make easy to repair appliances with online videos and online parts to purchase and good technical help! With YouTube, my husband has been able to fix our Bosch dishwashers.
Mark says
I just had a 1950 GE two door fridge painted and I’m putting in the kitchen, it looks remarkably similar to this new fridge!
I do like the look of this line, the stove could use some work though.
I do need a new microwave….
steve says
I have a combination microwave/range hood that is about 17 years old and I have always been a little disapointed with the exhaust capacity. I’ve heard the same complaint from other people. I wonder if they have improved over the years.
Julie Wood says
Hi. The microwave is 1.6 cu. ft. capacit – 1000 Watts. It has a two-speed, 200-CFM venting system. Do you know what yours is today to compare? –Julie
julia-lifeonchurchill says
Nice! I designed for GE Appliances several years ago. Bringing a new product to market like this is no small feat.
Stephanie Cope says
What are the dimensions of the fridge?
pam kueber says
It does not appear this info is available yet, Stephanie. GE, can you help?
Julie Wood says
Hi. It’s early for these details, so please know there could be slight changes. Here’s the preliminary specs!
Height – 66 1/2
Depth – 34 5/8
Width – 29 3/4
Thanks for the interest. –Julie Wood, GE Appliances
Stacey says
I know its early, but does that depth include the handle?? My current fridge is 30 without the handle, almost 5 inches more would be way to deep for me. Sad face!
Julie Wood says
Hi. Just a reminder these specs are preliminary until officially published with the launch. The depth I listed above does account for the handle. I hope that helps.
Julie Wood, GE Appliances
denise says
I noticed the depth in the photo…way too deep for me. That’s about 10″ (I realize including handle) that it juts out from a standard countertop. I’m a top freezer person, too. Guess I’ll just be hanging onto my older fridge (but not old enough to be a coooool older fridge) 🙂
jeanne says
I love that fridge. The size is perfect to fit the spot where my 1983 Brown fridge now resides. I also would love to switch to a bottom-freezer model when my current fridge is no longer efficient. Thank for making these retro inspired models!
Lisa says
I am so excited about the fridge. Pam, do you know how many cubic feet it is? My old fridge just died and have been trying, without success, to convince my husband to get a vintage one. Unfortunately, vintage fridges are not real practical for a family with 11 kids. So I was looking on craigslist for just something not too awful.Now that I see this, if it’s big enough, I’ll just get something for $100 there and wait til these come out in Sept. Can’t wait!
Julie Wood says
It’s a 20.3 cubic foot model. Thanks for the feedback. –Julie Wood, GE
Jackie says
Will the freezer have an icemaker or be equiped to have one installed?
Julie Wood says
Hi. Equipped to have one installed. –Julie Wood, GE Appliances
Jackie says
Hooray! A dishwasher that won’t look out of place with my vintage stove and fridge! And it’s nearly half the price of the Kitchenaid I was thinking I’d have to settle for. Hope it’s decent in durability and performance.
denise says
That’s my concern, too. I’ve been procrastinating on getting a DW because I keep reading reviews on all types of models and even with the pricier models, there are a lot of complaints.
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Wow these are great! I wish they made a wall oven and drop in cooktop to go with them – maybe if these are successful they will expand the lineup. We just purchased new appliances for our kitchen (Kenmore) in all white to give it the most retro feel we could short of trying to buy old appliances.