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It’s hard to tell most refrigerators apart—they’re all a big blur of shiny stainless steel. But not Smeg’s retro options: The ’50s-inspired appliances have accrued a cultlike following among food bloggers and designers (Emily Henderson and Alison Wu are both customers). Now for the first time, the company has introduced a totally new design, Portofino, that is equally fashionable but way more functional.
The thing about the classic retro line is that those refrigerators don’t hold a ton of stuff. The one-door option is 57.5 inches tall (shorter than a standard fridge) and 23 inches wide. The Portofino, retailing for $3,000 through AJ Madison, is 5 inches wider, and the illuminated interior cabinet can hold up to 26 bags of groceries. The game-changing features, though, are the Life Plus Drawer, which is designed to keep meat, fish, and cheese fresher longer, and the No Frost button, which prevents icy buildup and allows cool air to evenly disperse across the flexible glass shelves. Not only can you fit all your food inside, but you won’t have to make so many trips to the store.
The Portofino’s traditional rectangular silhouette might not be as attention grabbing as the retro fridge’s cool curves, but the piece does come in a punchy shade of fire-engine red if you’re looking to kick the aesthetics up a notch. The brand also sells a coordinating ventilation hood, range, and dishwasher so you can create a cohesive space.
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