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!
Toni says
Does anyone know if have a wall oven in the retro series?
Toni????
Brian H says
Energy Star often equals flimsy junk, especially heavily mechanical devices like washers, dryers, etc. Repairmen despair faced with breakdowns. They are “planned obsolescence” elevated to a true Artistic level!
pam kueber says
Buy vintage!
Sarah says
Looking at these again, I’m not so sure I’d by them. I’m in my mid-twenties and totally in the target market, but there are better options to be had in my opinion. If I couldn’t afford the full Big Chill line, I’d spulrge on the fridge (maybe the apartment size) in white, buy the matching dishwasher panel, then pair it with a white ceramic cooktop and the matching wall oven and microwave set from Ikea.
Rick S says
Pam,
I do like the nod to the past. My grandmother cooked on a wood stove and after she got her first electric stove never went back. I do think appliances should work well, be safe, and and look like they belong to the kitchen. Vintage or new at least they are mostly reversable if you get it wrong.
I am just thinking of what I will need when my 1997 Almond Kitchen Aid appliances start to go. They go so well with the “colonial” birch cabinets and Armstrong Solarium vinyl floor. Any ideas for a 33 inch wide fridge in almond. Maybe painted.
rick
pam kueber says
Hmmmm, I think we have tagged most of our refrigerator stories. Check ’em out: https://retrorenovation.com/tag/refrigerators/
Abigail Grotke says
Is Julia still reading? Wondering what the preliminary specs are for the microwave.
Mine just died and I am hunting for a small-enough one to fit with my 1949 cabinets. My prior microwave was 15.5 in high (a GE spacemaker). But everything on the market now is much bigger! Might be willing to wait if this new line works.
Kathy Engelhart says
I have a 1955 Aqua GE stove with push buttons! The counter tops are yellow with orange boomerangs. My refrigerator if on it’s last legs, so I was delighted to hear about the new GE line.
I am afraid it will be too deep for my kitchen. Are the doors reversible? I may be able to squeeze it in if I
The handles are on the right. Can you tell me how high the handles are? I might not be able to open a kitchen drawer and door.
To make it more difficult, my cottage is on an island and it will have to go for a boat ride. So you can see I have to make sure it fits. Any advice will be welcome.
Kathy
pam kueber says
See all my stories on refrigerators here: https://retrorenovation.com/tag/refrigerators/
And in case I missed tagging some, go thru this category, too: https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/other-stuff-such-as-appliances-accessories/
NOTE THE FISHER PAYKEL — counter-depth, last time we checked (a while ago): https://retrorenovation.com/2008/04/16/a-refrigerator-for-tight-spaces-fisher-paykel-curved-door/
mollymcFABULOUS says
I’m pretty sure I just secretly hoped our range and fridge would break so I could get these. Oy vey..
diane mcmurphy says
I second all of the positive comments about this line….”Yay!”, sums up my feelings. Is it perfect? Maybe not, but oh my, what a great start!
There are MANY of us out there who have been looking for an affordable alternative to BIg Chill, Smeg, Elmira etc. I know, because I have been looking, for several years, for such appliances. I have considered buying a vintage refrigerator, however, DH wouldn’t hear of it….sigh….
We are building a new home, and along with our Chambers stove, I believe we will probably have this wonderful refrigerator and dishwasher.
Thank you to GE for filling the void in affordable, (dare I say it?) retro style appliances!…and a second ‘thank you’ to Julie Wood for her helpful and timely input.
Jan says
Yay! It’s a big start in the right direction! Now if we can just get them to put those appliances out in turquoise, mint green, yellow, light blue, pink…
Amy Harvey says
Pam: We are in the process of remodeling our kitchen, but are willing to WAIT on our appliance purchase until these come out in September… they are SOOOOOO cool and I LOVE them!! Will they be available in the “big box” stores?(ie Home Depot or Lowes), or how will we be able to purchase them?? Thanks for any help you can offer! ~ Amy