When did the mono-tone appliance color trend start- 1990s?

[bradfordwhite]

And when did it become the norm because it's still with us today.

 

Years ago, appliances had their respective colors, we all know that but they almost always had a black, or dark colored and or metalic finish trim and control panel

Then

sometime around _______________?

the appliance world exploded and changed that style to a mono-tone look with the <span style="font-size: 12pt;">trim and control panel matching, or attempting to match the color of the machine. </span>

 

<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was </span>White on White, Almond on Almond, and Black on Black colored appliances at some point in the 80s or 90s.

For a bit, these were considered upgraded or designer options as one could still buy colored appliances with <span style="font-size: 12pt;">dark colored and or metalic finish trim and control panels.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm wondering when this officially started and when did the ability to buy the older style appliances with a black or dark control panel END.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The manufacturers attempts at first were kind of weak because they often still had stainless steel trim pieces thrown in.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is the Lady K washer from 1991.  From what I can see, at the time, it was the only model with mono-tone coloring.</span>

 

[bradfordwhite]

Also from 91

A "blush" and a "cool blue" interior?

 

Wondering what the "LIT" designation was.

 

Trim that is the same color but a darker shade. 

This while still being able to buy either montone or the tradition B-o-(W/A/B)   

 

Very interesting.  

 

 

 

[bradfordwhite]

Maytag

Traditional B-o-W electronic washer

 

W-o-W washer

 

[bradfordwhite]

Kitchen Aid dishwashers

Traditional styling from the 70s and 80s

 

A 90s KA dw

 

and a mid to late (?) 90s (faded plastic) W-o-W dw.

 

A new KA dw

 

 

 

[bradfordwhite]

2 of the same GE refrigerators side by side

One is badged as a Kenmore and is traditional B-o-W. 

 

The other is W-o-W, though it still has a black toe space grill. See what I mean about they didn't go ALL the way in at first with the mono-tone.  And look at the brown "smoked glass" plastic compartment covers on the door and the vegetable drawers in the monotone model.  That just won't do.  no.

 

 

 

[neptunebob]

Sears used to brag about the "Porcelain Plus" interiors in some of their fridges.  Maybe energy efficiency had to do with refrigerators now plastic inside, but the PP was a lot better than thin plastic of current Frigidaire refrigerators, ours has hairline cracks in the refrigerator and a big crack in the freezer and it's only 4 years old.

 

[launderess]

Porcelain on steel is durable (especially with heavier coatings, hygienic, easy to keep clean, and provides excellent insulation properties (keeping things cold or warm).

However porcelain on steel is also expensive to manufacture for dishwasher, washing machine, fridge/freezer and other appliance interiors. Also IIRC the process then (and perhaps now) wasn't or isn't the most environmentally friendly.

ABS and other plastics came along offering benefits and more of porcelain on steel, but also were lightweight, easier to manufacturer, and cheaper.

It wasn't long before porcelain on steel or enamel on steel was largely replaced by plastics for fridge interiors, washing machine or dishwasher tubs, etc... for various reasons. For latter appliances it's either plastic or stainless steel, with last one still cheaper than porcelain.

You can still find some high end fridges with porcelain interiors, but it will cost you for that luxury.

https://www.hunker.com/12614976/the-type-of-plastic-used-in-a-refrigerator

Dacor Reveals World's First Luxury Porcelain 30-Inch Refrigerator and Freezer Column Built-Ins at Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2018

/PRNewswire/ -- Dacor, a leading American luxury home appliance brand, unveiled today Project Blanc™ – 30-inch porcelain refrigerator and freezer columns – at...

www.prnewswire.com

 

[combo52]

Porcelain on steel refrigerator interiors

Were the ultimate in durability, but they were expensive to make because it required more pieces etc.

A plastic liner would probably be a little more energy efficient but there’s not much difference the insulation behind the wall is what really makes the difference.

A porcelain on steel washer baskets actually cheaper than stainless steel or plastic to manufacture this is why whirlpool still uses porcelain on steel wash baskets in their inexpensive topload washers.

Interesting that decor is using some sort of porcelain interior in there expensive built in refrigerators, it talks about some sort of polymer coding I’m not sure it’s really porcelain on steel or not.

One thing for sure decor is a very interesting brand to look at with interesting designs but I’ve never seen a product from them that I would have in my kitchen they’re riddled with problems and very hard to even make them work properly overpriced junk.

John L

 

[jamiel]

First plastic interiors were likely Norge (Borg-Warner---Cycolac ABS) in the mid 60s (could probably date it from their starting the new plant in Galesburg, IL) because it would be a big conversion from a traditional porcelain-on-steel fabricating shop to a plastic thermoforming shop. The other companies converted whenever a changeover worked well for their market position or plant renovation needs...I think WP was the last one with widespread use of porcelain well into the 90s.

 

[bradfordwhite]

1989 Sears I found mono-tone colors

Only on the TOL analog model.  I couldn't see if the electronic model was mono-tone.  Plus they were still offering it in 5 different colors:

black

almond

white

toast   (T-o-T)

& platinum gray (P-o-P)

 

Also found some of the dishwashers could be bought with harvest gold front panels.  They weren't mono-tone though.  It's like they were experimenting at this point.

 

I just can't remember going to Sears much from 88 to 92.  I had moved out on my own and really didn't have interest in appliances for a bit.  I also didn't have a television for most of that time so, ....and built my first house in 1991 so I was busy with other stuff.