Would you buy colorful, replaceable steel panels — a “smartphone case” — for your GE Artistry Series refrigerator and dishwasher? Well, more Breaking News here on this recently-introduced appliance line: We have now learned that GE is exploring offering iPhone-style skins to fit over the fridge and dishwasher — and the company has mocked up five potential colorways to elicit marketplace feedback. Read more below — then take our vote — would you go for appliances with with color panels like this, and if so, what color would you want?
As you may recall, we were first on the web with news about GE’s retro styled Artistry appliances early last summer — and since then we’ve heard from many readers who have purchased appliances from the line for their vintage kitchen remodels. The colors currently offered are a classic white — our favorite, and black.
Now, Lou Lenzi, Director of Industrial Design for GE Appliances has quietly (it seems) published a tumblr post indicating that GE has “been kicking around the idea of adding color to Artistry’s current glossy black and white finishes.” They also mocked up possible colors and finishes to gauge for market reaction.
We quickly asked some additional questions:
How serious is GE about this, really?
GE: We’re serious. We have had so many expressions of interest in colors that we need to quantify if this makes sense, and that’s the purpose of this outreach.
How much would such a skin cost?
GE: Our goal is a $100 adder over white or black.
Can you further share: What would the material would be made of? Obviously, some dishwashers and fridges (e.g. Sub-Zero) already are designed to take panels. … ?
GE: We are considering high-gloss, powder-coated paint on cold rolled steel with anti-corrosion protection.
We love this idea. But then we are color lovers here.
From the blog of Lou Lenzi, Director of Industrial Design for GE Appliances:
Artistry Color Exploration
The Design team here at GE Appliances is constantly looking at trends – “from culture to cooking” as we say, generating insights about the world we live in. These insights inform and guide us towards designs that make lives easier, more enjoyable and maybe a little more entertaining too.
It’s a pretty dynamic activity. Every new generation of homeowner drives new trends, demanding change, just as the newest generation, dubbed “Millennials,” were the catalyst for our new Artistry line of kitchen appliances.
While Artistry only entered the market last fall, we’ve been kicking around the idea of adding color to Artistry’s current glossy black and white finishes.
Before we fall into the trap of creating (and being blamed for) the next Harvest Gold, we thought we’d start with colors that might already be present in your kitchen – ginger, lime, cinnamon, aubergine (aka eggplant for the uninitiated), and lemon. Next, we considered a variety of finish scenarios. We started by bathing the entire appliance suite in color, then tried selected appliances as accent pieces within the suite, and finally landed on colored “skins” that could attach to the front of the refrigerator and/or dishwasher, which could be changed or swapped out for new colors, much like a smartphone case.
Scroll through our images to experience color in context. Notice how a light or dark surrounding environment can transform the feel and mood of a color or kitchen. What do you think?
Our take on the proposed GE Colors
Some of the colors GE is considering for their appliance skins seem to be channeling the Jonathan Adler line of kitchen and bath sinks from Kohler — bright and cheery, retro-mod.
My personal favorite among the proposed GE colors is their Cinnamon, above. This shade of orange-red might work in a variety of vintage kitchen styles from the 40s to the 60s.
The lemon color GE is considering is not quite right for a 40s or 50s vintage kitchen, but would look totally groovy in a retro mod, flower power late 60s or 70s kitchen, don’t you think?
The same can be said about the lime offering — though it doesn’t seem to be quite as acidic as a true retro lime, it would still blend nicely into a colorful mod kitchen.
We are amused that GE’s blog post dismisses Harvest Gold (Retro Renovation 2014 Color of the Year — because their “Ginger” reminds us oh-so-much of that same lovely shade. We like this one a lot! This would be a nice choice for anyone trying to recreate a 1960s through 1980s kitchen.
Of all of the proposed colors, GE’s Aubergine, above, may be the most problematic — because when it comes to purple, many people either love it or h*** it. Even so — at $100 per panel, it doesn’t sound like too big a risk.
Inspiration from 1968: Wacky-awesome!:
Go, GE, Go!
If GE moves ahead with this idea, we’d sure love to see them give a nod to the retro with several of their color offerings, of course! No matter what, though, we are super excited that color is returning to the appliance market once again. RESIST THE GREIGE NATION, America!
John says
Having this option would definitely get me into a GE appliances over another brand
Anastasia says
The purple simply has a place in my heart, because it’s purple. The aqua & greens would be more my picks if I had only those to choose. Also I like the idea of “Skittles” if people mix & match appliances anyways, why not the colors being done on purpose?
Ashleigh says
Love love love this idea! I’d love a true bright red!
Andrew says
If someone from GE is watching: PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE do this!!!! We love what you’re doing with the line, but the only reason we haven’t bought one is that we’re waiting for you guys to do avocado. Make our kitchen dreams a reality!!!
Jan says
LOVE this idea!!!!!! How to decide? Oh that’s right, you could change them out when the mood strikes!!!!
Julie says
I’m with Valerie. I would have bought the fridge when it came out if they had a counter depth model. I would probably buy at least two of these color options too. This article got me very excited!
Sara says
Oh my gosh, I am SO excited! I am looking for a new, narrower fridge and GE Artistry is currently at the top of my list. Just the idea that they are considering these colored panels makes me want an Artistry fridge even more! I was just surfing the net last weekend looking at fridges and thought geez, when is someone going to start making an affordable colorful refrigerator!!!!
flyingethan says
I love It!!! Anything to bring me avocado appliances is welcome. My vintage ones won’t last forever. C’mon with the color. Maybe stainless steel will finally give way to something more cheerful or calming.
RD says
If my mid-eighties bisque fridge and 1994 bisque dishwasher ever die, I would definitely consider the GE artistry series with a color panel. The color panel is brilliant. It takes away the “risk” of a color. You can get a fun color, but still have a conservative black or white appliance underneath if you get tired of the color you chose.
Red is probably the safest color for them to make (although I personally am weary of the red diner look ). Green is trendy right now, so I could see even the non-retro crowd going for it. Ditto aubergine. The GE colors arent really retro, but they are fun anyway. I think they chose currently trendy colors, which makes me surprised that they are trying to field a retro crowd’s opinion. $100 is a great price point.The fact that it is a skin and can be removed makes it a no-brainer. Would have liked to see more truly retro options, but still great. Any color is a great start.
I really think they’ve hit on the next big trend in appliances. Seriously, this could get big.
RD says
Although I really hope my appliances live for many more years, bisque or no (knocking on wood). I used to hate the bisque and wished they would break down, but now, thanks in large part to this website, I have learned to appreciate what I have, namely, perfectly functioning appliances. 🙂
pam kueber says
YAY on YOU! Love the house you’re in… love the refrigerator you have, if it works!
pam kueber says
I am quite certain that with this 5-color test palette, they are not trying to be retro, at all. They need to sell a lot of these to the MAINSTREAM world. I saw the story and jumped on it (1) because I want to encourage them to offer some retro colors, and (2) because at this point, it’s nice to ANY colors out in the greige-greige-shoot-me-if-i-have-to-keep-seeing-mausoleum-like-kitchens contemporary kitchen world.
That said, I don’t really understand why they would be AFRAID of doing a few colors that appeal to retro enthusiasts. I’ve seen this happen before, specifically with the Formica 100th anniversary collection: Mass marketers want to “nod” to the past, but rush to say they are all about “today” – as if it would be some sort of failing to actually embrace that past success – which, for goodness sake, was SUCCESSFUL. Bottom line, to me, is: It’s all just fashion. Yesterday’s fashion is just as good as today’s fashion, it’s all fashion. But then, fashion is all about getting you to tire of what you have, discard it, and buy what’s new, with the thought that will make you happy(er). Until the cycle starts again. *caffeinated rant*
It’s all so ridiculous in the grand scheme of things.
Carol says
Pam, Love your comments about fashion. This is why I love to buy “used” stuff. You can pick and choose exactly what you love, even though it is time consuming. That’s also a big part of the fun in collecting. You never have to worry about trends or something being dated in the future because it’s already outdated. So I buy what I love and never have a thought to replace it with the latest trend, or “fashion”. The beauty is that you have decades of fashion to choose from when decorating. Would so love the yummy jadite!
Jay says
Thanks for stating the obvious! It seems no company will ever recreate what they did in the past, just use it for so called “inspiration” on new offerings. I failed to see the “past” in the Formica offerings at 100. Likewise, no mainstream appliance company is going to offer a true authentic retro colored appliance, too much money involved. But in the case of changeable skins it doesn’t seem like a big gamble manufacturing wise – just a side line.
jeanne says
Love your comments. 🙂 So true! I don’t understand the stigma with injecting a little color in your home.
tammyCA says
So right. That word “trending” makes me want to scream every time I see/hear it. New stuff is ‘new’ but more often than not it is inferior quality and ends up in the landfill.
Rick says
I like my white GE Artistry series fridge and oven as is, especially since there is no way to “case” the oven to match the fridge.
pam kueber says
Yes, this could be an issue for many… I think it’s part of what GE is trying to assess. Clearly, the stove has too many curvy surfaces to put a smartphone case around…