San Diego Union-Tribune Article

Chill out

With the ’50s design craze continuing unabated into 2005, there’s now a way to satisfy those nostalgia cravings while having all the modern conveniences one needs in a refrigerator.
The Big Chill fridge is a step back in time to the days of ice boxes, cookies and milk in the kitchen after school, and of ‘57 Chevy Bel Airs. The refrigerator is a cross between an old Kelvinator on the outside and the newest of refrigerators on the inside.

Thom Vernon of Boulder, Colo., brainstormed the idea of a retro fridge when he and his wife were remodeling their kitchen with a mid-20th century theme. But they couldn’t find a fridge that matched the decor, while still offering the newest amenities. “We wanted to create a space that had personality and functionality, but that also had the same welcoming feel as my mother’s kitchen when I was growing up,” Vernon said.

He and his nephew, Orion Creamer, started the Big Chill company and now sell the refrigerator that they say is reminiscent of ‘57 Chevy Bel Air, but without the fins.

The fridge is 20.9 cubic feet and comes with a stamped metal body with chrome trim, an egg bin, a crisper pan, a temperature management system, two freezer door shelves, and other amenities. A water dispenser and ice maker are optional.

But best of all is the variety of colors available: Beach blue, cherry red, buttercup yellow, apple green, orange, pickup blue, jadeite green, pink lemonade and black and white. “We looked at what was happening in the ’50s and found there was a real color explosion in appliance design,” Creamer said.

The refrigerators retail for about $2,700 and can be ordered directly from the company by calling (877) 8-ICEBOX, For more information, log on to www.bigchillfridge.com.

– CATHY LUBENSKI

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