Eye-popping art fridges from Italy
Ardo custom fridges from Italy mesh vintage style with bright artwork.
If bright and cheery retro is your kitchen style, check out some of Italy's latest offerings. They don't get any cooler or happier than these refrigeratorswe spotted recently on the Appliancist Web site.
The front of several of these refrigerators, sold under the Ardo brand, which is owned by Antonio Merloni, one of Europe's largest appliance makers, (whose company's Web site is currently under construction) are gorgeous, featuring Van Gogh inspired sunflowers, the Italian flag, and a cluster of juicy tomatoes.The Ardo custom line is available in Europe only, which is a shame as these fridges are priced in the low to moderate range (though perhaps not as low for us here in the U.S. considering the exchange rate). They are also energy efficient.
U.S.-based buyers with a vintage bent can check out Big Chill refrigerators, which offers1950s style fridges in colors including pink lemonade, buttercup yellow, and beach blue. Big Chill is owned by a Boulder, Co.-based nephew and uncle with a passion for retro kitchens. Their fridges retail for $2,700.
Elmira Stove Works makes vintage Northstar modelsfrom 1950 and 1952 in robin's egg blue and red, which are also energy efficient. Prices range from $1,995 to $3,995. U.K.-based Smeg, (eek, what a name!) which also makes some pretty cool retro fridges, recently opened a showroom in New York and is now selling in the U.S.