When was Avocado introduced as a kitchen appliance color? On various sites, I’ve seen the answer to this question generalized as “the 1960s”. But, there is a real answer, and given the popularity of the color, along with its longstanding place in the American zeitgeist, this particular moment in interior design history deserves to be acknowledged.
So:
Q. When was Avocado introduced as a color on kitchen appliances like stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers?
A. 1966, for sure.
But…. update: 1965, maybe – but needs retail documentation to definitively declare it so.
And
Q. Who introduced it?
A. General Electric, to the best of my knowledge so far.
Well, that’s to the best of my knowledge and ongoing research — and according to longtime reader Patrick, who has done extensive research on kitchen appliance colors. Many thanks to Patrick, whose research on made this story possible and who influenced me to be interested in color timelines overall!
Avocado kitchen appliances “hand-in-hand with the Danish modern look of the late 1960s.”
In an infographic from their c. 2012 press room, link here: >>http://pressroom.geappliances.com/_gallery/get_file/?file_id=529fac03fe058b269b0215cf << GE says:
1966: Mix-or-Match Colors [introduced in 1955] gave way to Coppertone (1964), Avocado (1966) and Harvest Gold (1968) — all of which were darkened around the front edges of the appliances. These new colors went hand-in-hand with the Danish modern look of the late 1960s. During this time, color remained a critical factor for fashion-conscious consumers.
Ten years later — in 1976 — GE launched “Fresh Avocado.” Googling around, I see that Fresh Avocado did not have the darkening around the front edges. The Harvest Gold also became Harvest Wheat — and still looked quit harvest gold-y — and also did not have darkened edges.
Research continues: 1966 — or 1965?
UPDATE: Reader Duane writes:
Hi Pam!
I have an extensive collection of automotive paint chips, and also a few appliance chips, too. I’ve got a set of chips from 1965 from PPG that shows Avocado as a mixed color (actually 3 separate colors), which means someone was using it for that year (PPG made paint for Whirlpool, Amana, and GE).
This is great info — thank you, Duane! However, I would still like to see documentation of Avocado actually used in 1965 on major kitchen appliances. So far, I (2) find Westinghouse advertisements from 1964 for a light harvest-y gold washing machine, and from 1965 for a brown washer and dryer. In ’64, it looks like Westinghouse refrigerators (and likely suites of kitchen appliances) were still in pastels.
Pam back: Hmmm. I wonder if, like automakers, appliance makers introduced model-year products in the fall or even a bit earlier. That is, could “1966” model fridges etc. actually have been available in the latter half of ’65?
Of course, after GE launched Avocado in 1966, many other manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon with their own avocado appliances. I tend to think that Avocado was more popular than Harvest Gold, but that’s a guess from seeing lots of vintage kitchens over the years.
I don’t know when the last Avocado kitchen appliance bid its farewell to the mainstream manufacturer-led marketplace. Kohler says that their avocado sinks, tubs and toilets spanned 1967-1979. I will guess that for kitchen stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers, one or more manufactures likely hung in there until … some time into the late 1980s. What do you think?
Today (2020) there are several manufacturers who again will get you this color or get it close. BlueStar … Big Chill … Elmira Stoveworks/Northstar … all offer an expansive selection of colors for stoves, refrigerators and dishwasher panels. Kitchenaid even introduced an Avocado Cream range in 2020.
So there you have it: Avocado kitchen appliances, hello 1966 (or maybe 1965, for now, pending any further data!) — and back again!
Lisa Nieman says
My parents moved into their newly built home in a Detroit suburb 5 days after I was born in 1963. It was outfitted with Coppertone appliances including a wall oven and gas cooktop. The only refrigerator I recall was white. The washer and dryer were white. There was no dishwasher at the time but my parents got a Kenmore dishwasher to match sometime later. So Coppertone must have been around then. I’m trying to remember if they were shaded. I’ll have to ask my folks for pictures. I’m almost certain they were not shaded. In our 1963 suburban tract many houses had the coppertone appliances but most were white, as I recall. Lots of avocado and harvest gold as time went on.
Chris Lankenau says
Yep…the kitchen in my 1968 childhood home had the Coppertone appliances with darkened edges which nicely complimented the avocado green linoleum floor! And vegetable print wallpaper containing the same family of hues.
pam kueber says
I have some vintage avocado / gold / orange vegetable print wallpaper in my stash!
Linda says
Oh, to have a reasonably priced line of avocado appliances once again! 4k+ for a 30″ inch range is out of my league as I stare down retirement. I hope my current bisque range holds out while the wave of stainless passes and colors trickle down once again!
Dan says
My folks redid their kitchen about 1975 – dark brown cabinets, orange counter and floor, GE appliances in copper with the “halo” effect. That vaguely Mediterranean look in rural Pennsylvania, of all places! My brother lives in the house now and, as far as I know, the fridge and dishwasher are still going strong, although the range was replaced some time ago.
Vintigchik says
Pam,
I’ve been trying to find the first year for pink and turquoise appliances. This is great. Thanks!
Ultrawoman says
We had a brand new avocado refrigerator in 1979. I came home from school & there it was!
Maria says
I’m my neck of the wood, SF Bay Area, harvest gold was everywhere in the 1970s. Just about every newer home I went in had it in the kitchen. Of course there was some avocado, but harvest gold was more common for some reason.
Melinda says
I was close! I guessed 1967 before I opened the article. I think that’s pretty good considering I was born in 1969. From my memories of suburban childhood, I’d have to guess Coppertone was the most popular color.
ineffablespace says
Kohler golds and and earthy or dull greens went through a number of permutations from the 1950s all the way up to 1990. They just didn’t always call them gold or avocado. My parents’ friend had a house built in the 1950s that had gold fixtures in one bathroom and the kitchen sink, but they were probably “Sunrise” which was just a bit brighter. My parents’ house still had an “avocado” refrigerator (1969) in the basement, when the house was sold in 2015. But it was really much closer to Kohler’s Aspen Green which was around until the mid-late 80s.
Margie C. says
I fondly remember colors in facial tissues, paper towels, and toilet tissue. Pink, blue, and green, as well as white, and more patterned designs on paper towels.