If you are looking for a vintage style refrigerator, the folks at Big Chill now have two sizes. I kind of like the look of the new, little one – it is more in the scale of what I’ve seen on true examples from the 40s and early 50s in particular. And they certainly do have the rainbow of retro colors covered.

Images from: bigchillfridge.com
Click twice on these thumbnails and they will enlarge quite a bit:

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“What refrigerator should I get?” is one of the most common questions from readers undertaking retro renovations. I struggled with the issue, too… did a lot of research and tortured over the decision.

In the end, I went with Sub-Zero, and I think it was an investment well worth it. A great part of my decision was based on the need for a fridge that was 84″ high — right up to the soffit. I wanted a clean, built-in look. Other counter-depth fridges simply did not give me the height – I would have had to bring the soffit down. I also liked the handle – a very built-in classic forever look (vs. honkin’ on most other styles today). And a third reason — I could get plain doors with no exterior ice maker, although there are fancy schmantzy ice cubes inside the freezer.

The Sub-Zero image above is from 1966, and you can still get a fridge in this exact same style. Mine is a 42″ side-by-side (pictured below), with the same old-fashioned grille up top, and “appliance white” panels also from Sub-Zero. I really truly love it. It was the big splurge of the kitchen – the bits and pieces of everything else were not too expensive, although the labor was dear. (Another example of “you get what you pay for.)

To be honest, the only other fridge style that I really like for a retro renovation is a counter-depth side-by-side or french-door style with freezer on the bottom. The Fisher Paykel also seems like a good choice. But, I tend to like the way a side-by-side is more visually broken up — not one big wall of metal. The problem is, with any these, you have to figure out what goes above the fridge, because they are only 70″ high or so. If you can do it with matching cabinets – perfect. But if you have to jimmy something — that’s where I start to lose interest. The built-in look is what distinguishes the postwar kitchen! This is rule #1 for your renovations, renovators. And in the kingdom of Pam, built-in means surrounded by cabinets, or tucked nicely into finished drywall, preferably wallpapered.

Sorry, I am not really a fan of the Elmira Northstars or the Big Chills. I like the look, but they are so big – so deep. If you can recess them to get them counter-depth, that might be better. Also – these are not cheap, either. That said, I’ve seen some kitchens were they were incorporated nicely.

Vintage – scare me. The defrosting part. I actually bought a vintage fridge a few years back and had it delivered as far as the garage. My husband about threw a fit. The line got drawn in the sand – between him and the fridge. The marriage won out — and for the best.

However: I DO like vintage 70s and 80s side-by-sides. They were smaller scale. Watch for these and save a bundle!

In the end, I think that it would be better to … buy a cheaper car or wait another year or two (or three) ’til trade-in … and put the extra money, toward a Sub-Zero. I maintain an open mind – and keep an eagle eye out for other appropriate fridges.

Other possibilities, maybe:

• Fisher Paykel has the right dimensions (and even throws in a few curves) for a 50s kitchen (I only wish the handles were different.)
  
• Summit has a narrow fridge, but I don’t know much about it. May be promising.
• And I like the look of the Jenn-Aire french door fridge. Key to watch for: Counter-depth, handles that are subdued, ice maker inside not outside.

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Last week I posted an urgent message about Ashley in Nashville with some beautiful Kelvinator appliances that she had to get out of her home – fast. Several intrepid retro renovators jumped to the call and Doug from Atlanta whisked up to get them from Atlanta. But hey, there’s more – so read on:

Ashley writes:

Pam,

Thank you SO MUCH for posting my Kelvinators! I had many responses from some very kind people.

You’ll be happy to know they are in very good hands now. Doug F., from Atlanta, drove to Nashville to pick them up. (He is building a ’50s kitchen for his nephew, and said they’d be “perfect!”)

I also want to tell you how incredibly blessed I am that these went to this particular person: Doug was going to pay me a very fair price for them, but after I gave it some thought, I made him a proposal: if he’d help me install my new appliances, he could have them for free. So, that’s what he did! (He even went to Home Depot with me – along with my infant daughter, my dog and his dog — to buy my new sink, as my sink went with him, too, along with matching coffee tins and other fun stuff.) Having never done this before, I was thinking installation (sink, hood, cutting space for fridge) would take an hour or two, tops. Well, Doug arrived at noon, and left at 9:15 p.m.! And he never even stopped to eat!! (He ended up cutting four layers of my floor out, so my new fridge would fit properly — and we happily discovered a gorgeous pine floor under there, which remained unscathed! Yeehaah!)

Anyway, I definitely feel that finding your site was a very fateful thing (with help from Google! Ha!), because I never dreamed all this would take place when you posted my e-mail to you! I very much appreciate your posting it, and will continue to tell people about your great site!

Thanks again, Pam!

Have a super week!

Ashley

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Ashley in Nashville sent me an email last night about her Kelvinator fridge, stove and hood up for grabs. They work and are in “amazingly good condition,” she says, they just don’t fit the design of her kitchen anymore (in a 1911 house). I responded and heard from her this morning:

Hey Pam,

I didn’t get your message until late last night, and then I had server problems and my e-mail response to you (below) just wouldn’t go!

Anyway, if you think you may find someone today, that would be great, as I’ve got some folks coming to get it this afternoon, just to haul it away.

Thanks so much!

Ashley

Eeks oh gads these can’t go to the dump my heart is breaking, these are fabulous. Anyone out there who wants to snap these up better CALL ASHLEY NOW!

Update 3 p.m. : It seems that Ashley has saved these from the trash guys and now has them in her garage. Call if you’re interested. She seems unclear on the price – make her an offer!

Update April 21 – See Ashley’s comment below – buyer found. And a nice retro reno story to go with it! Thanks, Doug!

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California Meryl recommended this refrigerator for those of you with tight spaces. The Fisher Paykel ‘curved door’ also gets a little extra zing from the … curved door, and it’s available in stainless steel or white. The fridge is just under 32″ wide, and just under 67″ tall. It appears to be counter depth – 28″ deep including the door handle.

Please note, retro renovators – I really recommend trying to create a “built-in” look for your refrigerators if possible so that they don’t dominate your kitchen. This is most easily done be setting them next to at least one pantry cabinet. Also, have the soffit follow the perimeter of the fridge. And finally, choose counter depth. Back in the 50s, refrigerators were smaller . These these tricks can help you create a seamless integration of your modern fridge.

Thank you, Meryl! How’s that kitchen coming? Did you try those paint colors yet?

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Palm Springs Stephan makes today’s fabulous ebay contribution. Thank you, PSS! What an AMAZING refrigerator. Check out the interior, even! The range is for sale, too, separately. Stephan writes:

My eBay pick for the day, a refrigerator that would look fantastic in your kitchen! And it’s one of those funky cabinet-like models very similar to some that were featured in your recent series on ads for pink kitchens. I wish they still made refrigerators in this design.

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