Black is the new Black

[Julie-Ann]

This is my prediction black is the new colour for household appliances and fixtures. Yes I am saying Stainless Steel will soon be old news:eek:. I know a very bold statement but I do have evidence to support my wild claims.


I started to notice this trend when Danross (a forum member who works at Rick Hart’s in O’Connor, Perth) told me LG had bought out a black fridge and it had sold out. I thought he had lost the plot. Australians don’t buy black fridges, that’s an American thing.


Then my DH said he had seen a black basin advertised. Once again I scoffed – a black basin that would look revolting. Oh how wrong was I. It’s gorgeous and just maybe it could hide the dirt better.


Then I was looking into Foxtel’s IQ2 box. And guess what not only is the box black but so is the remote that comes with it.


So by now I was already writing this article in my head. But being the professional I am and wanting to bring you as much evidence as possible I returned to visit Danross. After a snoop around the store I found another LG black fridge and not only was it stunning but it passed the fingermark test (just don’t tell Danross I was deliberately putting fingermarks over his fridges but I had to test it out in the name of research;)). Then I checked out the De Dietrich display, this company is known as being very innovative and a trendsetter. And of course there it was a black oven with a matching rangehood. The picture of the rangehood doesn’t do it justice, it was simply stunning.


So what do you think – is Stainless Steel on its way out and is Black the new Black?

[Milena]

This is a very good article and prediction Julie-Ann. I wasn't aware there is a black trend going around with appliances and home fixtures but now that I know I will pay more attention when I am at the shops.
All our entertainment system is in black and a few years ago it all used to be silver. So I did notice a trend in home entertainment being black.

[Susie]

Thats very interesting, i dont seem to be that observant with this either, maybe because im not in the market for any new appliances as yet.

I am all stainless steel, but my kitchen counters are black granite, my tiling above the stove and counter is black and my dining table is black glass. Not sure whether black appliances would be too much in my black kitchen ummmmmm:(

[jaz_ben]

Wow. I cant believe how funky black looks. When reading your article I was like yuck that so cant be nice. But I have to say very trendy modern look.

[MareeJaeger]

I love the look of the rangehood! I'm not convinced on the black fridge...would have to see it in real life. "black goods" does have a better ring to it than "white goods" thought :D

[Julie-Ann]

I know ladies I was just as stunned that it looked so nice. Who would have thought. When Danross first said about black fridges all I could think of was those big, bulky black appliances that Americans have in their kitchens. I only saw the glossy black fridge (as the black brushed stainless steel is still sold out) but DH & I thought it was quite attractive

[Kerie]

Great article Julie-Ann thanks for the heads up! I'm not terribley happy about it though I finally managed to convince my husband only 12mths ago to trade our standard white in for a lovely stainless steel number, that only took me about 6 years... can you predict what will be in, in about 5-6 years so I can start working on my sweet husband for the next one.:D

[Lanne]

I have been eyeing this off for a while too. I noticed small appliances in the pastel shades for a brief time.. and now small appliances like kettles etc have gone neutral so that they dont stand out on bench tops etc. There is something about a latte coloured kettle I couldnt come to terms with tho.

Black has been coming for about 18 months. Lets be honest.. no one wants white any more.. (top tip if you dont care - new near white dishwashers can be found super cheap in the paper as people re/renovate when they move in. We scored a near new one for a rental property for $100) but I digress.. Stainless steel is lovely and all but.. the fingerprints are the horrible.

I did get some cloths recently which did the trick and made them look like new again but it lasted about 6 weeks.

Black is coming back in granite worktops, tiles etc.. why not appliances. It can be sleek and timeless and no fingerprints.

Black is the new black.

[hbfotografic]

Don't forget the Brits! - i've got kitchen mags running years back with the black Aga in the country-style style - looks v. nice.

Hopefully getting a new kitchen in 2010 so of much interest - i'm wanting a 2-door fridge that makes and serves ice. Samsung is the only one i've found in recent years that does this without losing enormous space inside. Man, we love ice :)

Anyway, Julie - re: the fingerprints... i've never had a problem with S/S due to a fantastic oil-based product that cleans and seals.. fabulous.

BUT.. my black stupid big Plasma TV - ARRGHHH!! *NOTHING* gets off the kiddy-prints. HATE it. If the fridge is like that, no way José... :p

[hbfotografic]

oh - my name's Leanne, BTW - i've been tweeting with Julie-Ann for a while, but am NOTORIOUSLY bad with forums :eek: - hopefully i'll do better here.

That was my first post.

Hmm - I was about to do an 'about me', but I probably should stay OT and go find an introduction thread first and then come back ;)

BBL

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Leanne
Yes I had forgot about the black Aga ovens. They are stunning.
Good new the LG fridge did not leave finger prints but it didn't have an ice machine. But lets see what else comes out in the next 12 months.
What is the name of the product you use to prevent finger prints on you stainless steel appliances?
Thanks

[shewhomustbeobeyed*]

I am so glad then that all of my stainless steel items have black 'bits', they'll be partly fashionable at least. My stove has lots of black does this count Julie-Ann?:D

[Julie-Ann]

I'm sorry to tell you all this but I have further evidence that Black is the new Black:eek:.

In The Sunday Times (Perth) Home section this weekend there was an article on trends for 2010. And there at the beginning of the article I spotted a black tap. A very sleek, slim and stylish black tap by a leading Swiss brand.

But the absolute proof was further into the article when it quoted Scott King the Senior Deign Manager for Electrolux saying "Black appliances are back, this time more sophisticated and appealing than ever before":eek:

But please don't shoot the messenger:D.

[dspdavey]

I wear a lot of black (I'm a Melburnian :D) but most of my home is in cream, white or wood brown. We have a couple of small black cupboards too. Methinks I might have to spend some time doing up my rather 80's home!

[Milena]

I found this in the latest Modern Home magazine. I thought it very appropriate. I wasn't sure about black being the latest trend at first but now converted. I would now be happy to have it in my new home with the white kitchen cupboards.

[Elements]

This is a great read and I am so happy as I posted this a couple of days ago but I am about to put in my order for my black sofa and its nice to see I am in before I new I was in:D:D
The black appliances just wouldn't fit into my white cabinets though...but I can see that they are going to work for alot of different applications.

[Julie-Ann]

Great pictures Milena - thanks:D.
I actually read Elements that the designers see these black appliances going into white kitchens. They believe the strong contrast will look great.
I have to say I am struggling with that idea myself. Maybe I still am in love with Stainless Steel. Or maybe I just like a more neutral look.

[Elements]

Actually thinking about it I have just been asked by 2 clients to get quotes on a black and white sofas....similiar to that off the new N@tuzzi range...
Black bases and white cushions.....and I have to say it does look very sharp. Maybe a bit too contemporary for me.:)

[Julie-Ann]

My friend Daniel Ross at Rick Hart's O'Connor must have a crystal ball. Electrolux have released some more black kitchen appliances. Their Ebony range now includes 2 different refrigerator/freezers, induction or gas cooktops, an oven, a rangehood and this very sexy looking dishwasher.
I am starting to be convinced:).
What do you think?

[Katrina]

So am I. I love the new black-look appliances. I saw a set of black kitchen taps in Ikea last week and I almost pushed people out of the way to touch and feel them. Gorgeous. Maybe on my 'next house' list?? Haha!

[Milena]

I am loving the black shiny dishwasher I think it looks better than stainles steel ones.
I can imagine that black dishwasher with my white kitchen.

[Julie-Ann]

Milena here is a photo of it in a white kitchen for you:D.

[Milena]

Thanks Julie-Ann for posting that photo. Very cool and I love it!
I am glad you are getting converted as well :D

[Elements]

I am starting to notice this more and more.........I was watching a tv program the other night and they had a black fridge I remember thinking ooh black appliance it looks great.......actually maybe it was desperate housewives:o:D

[MareeJaeger]

Yes in the right place with the right stuff...yes yes yes!

[Julie-Ann]

Omage have released a new range of hotplates in black glass. In their media release they state the Aria range reflects the upward trend of black cooking appliances in Australian kitchens. But we already knew that on the Decorating Forum:D.
They are very stylish. What do you think?

[nqmummy]

I seen the black gloss fridge in a magazine (I think Real Living) a few months ago and thought it looked hot. I asked my husband if he could paint our fridge (he's an ex panel beater) and he looked at me oddly haha..

However, we're now looking at getting a new kitchen and I know I wouldn't be allowed to get a new fridge when ours works perfectly fine so I just asked my hubby again if he could paint our white fridge black and he said 'yes'. Yay! This "black is the new black" works out well for me because you could never get the stainless look with paint.

[Julie-Ann]

Wow lucky you Nqmummy:love it:. Are you going to have a gloss finish?

[nqmummy]

Yes, if he does follow through and paint it, I'll definitely go a gloss black. My plan is to have a white gloss kitchen so it should go nicely. Now, just making it a reality....

[Julie-Ann]

It sounds like a stunning combination Nqmummy. Yes now all you need is the money and the time for the reality to happen:(.

[nqmummy]

And to get hubby motivated!! Thank god soccer season is almost over, we might get him back on the weekends.

[Julie-Ann]

Oh but now the soccer watching season begins here and in Europe:(. You are talking to a woman with 2 soccer fans in the house.