I say go for it! If you use them as accent pieces and use relatively neutral colors for the rest, it could work. Gotta admit, I’d really want some formica counters with the ribbed stainless steel edges. You could get the rest of the “vibe” through window treatments, etc. –
Hanna–that’s “HARVEST gold” not pumpkin. LOL.
We had a shag rug of avocado green which I LOVED as a kid. I spent many a happy hour stretched out reading on that rug in front of a sunny sliding glass door. I thought of it as “grass inside”.
There is definitely something to be said for texture and bright color (rather than neutrals).
Harvest Gold, Avocado, Coppertone…didn’t really like the 70’s colors, though the 50’s colors were rocking. Pink, Turquoise, Buttercup, Jadite…ahhh.
I personally think that if you have a distinctive design that is cohesive throughout the house and that is very tastefully done that gives a characterless house some character you are going to enhance the value of your property as compared to a generic look. This is especially true if you the design is in harmony with the vibe of your region. In my area, this plays out with the mid-century modern houses – the ones that are renovated with a specific design point of view go for way more than the ones with the generic renovations.
This is all to say that you should go with what you like.
I’d go for the Big Chill appliances if it makes you happy. A colorful frig would look great with an otherwise all white kitchen. I don’t think one frig will affect the resale value. In my area, refrigerators don’t even typically convey with the property. Also, from what I’ve seen, bright colors tend to be popular in Florida.
I took a look at the “Big Chill” website. Do you mean something like this:
https://bigchill.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Jadite-Green-Retro-Kitchen.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5e/f3/2d/5ef32d27b0825d906686623ace8b649b.jpg
I say go for it!!! But forgo the granite/quartz and get all three appliances in your favorite fun color. You can save a lot of $$ that way. I just looked at the Big Chill website and I love it. The sample pictures have white cabinets and subway tile or other white tile in all the pictures.
IMO people like old looking things as long as they look brand spanking new. It’s old things that look like they might break soon people don’t like. Your kitchen will be so adorable. It will stand out from the sea of boring stainless/granite that is out there.
@Hanna I love that Brady Bunch kitchen! ;
I like that Brady Bunch kitchen as well - very “warm” and inviting. Kitchen’s are the heart of the home and people tend to congregate there no matter how much space there is elsewhere. I think putting $ into a kitchen makes a lot of sense both for “livability” and for resale.
My only reservation about the retro kitchen is whether or not it has mass appeal. And for resale you want mass appeal.
@HarvestMoon1 I’m in love with your first link…
Do it!
Ohhh, shouldn’t have clicked on the link. That looks so awesome. It so breaks my rule of keep permanent things neutral, but they’re so well done.
Have me over for dinner so I can drool on your new kitchen someday 
Any idea on how reliable their appliances are, quality-wise?
@HarvestMoon1 - that second link you posted is exactly what I want, subway tile and all!!!
Oh my gosh I’m so excited that people here on CC (whom I respect so much) are feeling this vibe.
@MotherOfDragons I wish I could have you and all our CC friends over.
Even if you tried to talk me down I appreciate it. It’s good to be smart in a big investment like a kitchen.
ETA: @doschicos - I was curious about the quality of Big Chill too. It’s heartening that they make them here in the U.S. (at least it looks like it).
When you go to move, put a sign on the fun appliances ‘Does Not Convey’ and take them with you!
I’d go for it. It’s just a refrigerator. How many people can say their frig makes them smile? Worst case you decide to sell the house, you could always replace it with something more mainstream - and you probably wouldn’t want to leave it behind anyway.
I love the fridges on bigchill. We have plans to build a garage with MIL apartment above (for us). Town only allows 600 sf and I dont’ want to waste alot of space on the kitchen. Bigchill has some studio size appliances (for triple the price but I digress lol) that would add so much character while at the same time using less space. I say go for it ! I don’t know if I’d do the whole kitchen in your case but pick one or two pieces that could be easily exchanged for new ones if a buyer wished.
I love the Big Chill blue and green kitchens. Super charming. It puts me in mind of “The Long, Long Trailer.”
Do it! I love Big Chill but don’t have a great 1960s FL one-story house. That sounds ideal for the retro look appliances. While I don’t have any personal experience with Big Chill, I also have never read anything negative about the company. The only problem for me would be choosing a color because they have so many I like.
If you’re concerned about whether the retro look is good for resale there but still want color, you could consider Bertazzoni, Frigo or Viking. A Viking range in a custom color could be combined with other appliances in stainless steel, for example. Smeg has great colors but also looks retro to me.
LOL, I despise those ribbed stainless steel edges. My brother still has them in his appalling tomato red kitchen. They’ve been talking about renovating since they moved into the house 18 years ago!
I personally would love. Kitchen with blue or green appliances. I so love the turquoise fridge at the appliance store.mi didn’t do it, as rest of appliances were already SS, and countertops in quartzite ordered.