Yet another bright and colorful spot at KBIS 2016 was the Northstar Appliances display from Elmira Stove Works. In fact, even though the booth was tucked away against a back wall of the convention center, it was still a very popular spot. It was difficult for me to get pictures of the products because they were constantly surrounded by people oohing and aahing over their magnetic retro radiance.
2021 update: Northstar has introduced another style of 30″ retro stove. See the full story here.
Yes, right away we were drawn to these colorful, retro styled appliances. And such yummy colors! Robin’s Egg Blue, Buttercup Yellow and Candy Red — another great option for a vintage-style kitchen.
We liked the look of everything we saw at the booth, and made sure to inspect each piece. This Robin’s Egg Blue electric stove has a spacious interior and an easy-to-clean, flat cooktop.
The coordinating refrigerator reminded me of one that my grandmother had…
There’s the gas model of the stove in creamy Buttercup Yellow, sitting next to a lovely red Candy Red refrigerator.
Also on display, this French door retro style refrigerator with a bottom freezer for the vintage kitchen that needs some serious refrigerator space. It’s available in either a 24.8 or 19.8 cu. ft. total capacity, with loads of adjustable shelving and even an in refrigerator filtered water dispenser.
We also noticed that in part of the display, Elmira Stove Works used some fun modern laminate from Abet Laminati, finished with aluminum edging.
As part of their display, there was also a bar-height round retro diner styled table next to the booth that used Vitro’s Red Glacier boomerang laminate. Way to accessorize!
Of course, we think that our Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® boomerang laminates would look fantastic in a kitchen paired with some of these fun Northstar Appliances, too! Hey, they even have a nice “Mint Green” color that might be a good match to our ‘Delightful Jade’ … and what about a Flamingo Pink range with countertops finished in our ‘First Lady Pink’ boomerangs?
tammyCA says
I know..they are sooo pretty & I love the colors & chrome & I covet them (in every color!), but just like the Big Chills the prices are too steep for me. I constantly envy the homemakers of the past when they had a rainbow of colors & shades to choose from & it didn’t break the bank..and things were built better than now.
lynda says
So pretty. Also, I am thinking that the colors will not become dated like they did so many years ago. Instead of a trend, this time around the retro look is classic!
Laura M. says
Stunning, but definitely out of my budget. (Love the Robins Egg Blue!)
cynthia says
Love those appliances – but if you check the prices, they are super high. Out of my reach and of most consumers, I would guess. They cost about twice or three times what comparable “non-retro exterior” appliances cost. How can it be that the exterior of the box and doors, and the handles or controls, account for such high prices? The interiors and the same as regular units.
pam kueber says
Customization like this = costly.
michelle says
They probably don’t sell a ton of these; it’s very taste specific as opposed to the vanilla, cookie cutter stuff in the general market.
Pencils says
It’s true that customization is costly, but while the Big Chill appliances are expensive, they’re significantly cheaper than the Northstar ones. And their colors are nicer, they’re clearer, less muddied or gray versions of the same colors. No, I don’t work for Big Chill, I don’t even own one. Yet. 🙂 I keep sending them emails every six months or so begging them to come out with a bigger fridge, one like the French door style above. As much as I love their fridges, I have a fairly small one now (because the space in my house’s existing 80s kitchen wasn’t large enough for anything bigger) and I’m dying to get a bigger one when I finally get to redo my kitchen. BTW, I LOVE that circles laminate! Might have to use that someplace, I was thinking of making a “dresser” or “hooiser” out of cabinets on one wall, and that would be an interesting top.
Rosemary says
These appliances are gorgeous but crazy expensive. I must resort to white new appliances in my Fiesta inspired kitchen …..
Ken Borne says
I would love to have these appliances!!!
orangegal says
Ask them (actually tell them, but I’m trying to be polite) to make an over the range, ventilating microwave. I would buy a kitchen full o’ appliances if they would. Thanks!
Janet in ME says
I have always loved these appliances and the colors! I hadn’t seen that French door fridge before – beautiful! The stainless down the middle of the top doors reminds me of the chrome down the hoods of the old Buicks – great styling!
Gretchen in Greenwood says
I went to the website and enter my zipcode for dealer information, but it only showed a comma- what does that mean? I’d like to know more about these.
Paul says
Beautiful.