Color has made a comeback in appliances.
In Spring 2008, Viking Range Corporation expanded their color palette from 14 to 24 color choices, with shades like Pumpkin, a vibrant orange; Racing Red, an eye-popping red; and Lemonade, a pale yellow. In May 2009, Whirlpool will introduce colors like Cranberry and Lunar Silver into their Duet laundry pairs, to go along with already available colors like Aspen Green, Ocean Blue and Tuscan Chestnut.
If you do decide to replace your old appliances with color, donate instead of disposing. Salvage and consignment shops will often accept used, working appliances.
» Second Chance Inc., 1501 Warner St., Baltimore
410-385-9939; www.secondchanceinc.org
» The Salvation Army: Baltimore Area Command, various locations
410-525-0530; www.tsabaltimore.org
“Sixty-four percent of laundry rooms are now on main floors of the home, and people want their washer and dryer to fit the decor,” said Whirlpool representative Monica Teague. “What I hear from consumers is that this [color] is something they’ve been wanting as a way to reflect who and what they are, in a simple way.”
Whirlpool’s Amana brand has taken it one step further. At the International Home Builder’s Show in Las Vegas last week, Amana introduced 10 concept refrigerators with different textures such as corduroy and brocade.
But the vibrant colors and textures aren’t for everyone — case in point, interior designer Kimberly A. Eastburn, who owns Kimberly A. Eastburn Interiors in Monkton. “Absolutely not” is her response when asked if consumers should purchase colored appliances. “Colors are part of trends. Colors are great in smaller items like accessories, things that can easily be changed out. But if you are buying a yellow refrigerator and stove, it becomes very easy to date your kitchen,” she said.
Susan Sutherland, owner of Sutherland Interiors in Pikesville, is a little more flexible. “I think in short-term cases, colors are fabulous. If someone is keeping current with trends and is prone to redecorating frequently, then maybe they are the candidate for colors. But it’s not the best avenue to pursue for someone who’s looking for something for the next 15 years.”
It’s not just a matter of dating your home. Many people buy into the new trend and dispose of perfectly good appliances which then “sit in a landfill — It’s not very eco-friendly,” Eastburn said.
Eastburn cautions consumers about getting caught up in the excitement of a new trend. “Today’s bright orange can quickly become your mother’s avocado,” she said. “You don’t always have to interject your taste in such a large way. Trends go super quickly, and from a resale standpoint, it could really not work out in your favor.”
