The Kitchen Appliance Trend Jenny Marrs Is Jumping On Board With (And How You Can Too)

You've heard of fashion and beauty trends, but can kitchen appliances have trends? Yes, especially when they have retro aesthetics, gorgeous colorways, and sleek lines. So, when HGTV's Jenny Marrs tapped into all these things with Smeg's luxury line of kitchen appliances during a home makeover, we paid attention. Smeg (an acronym for Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla) is a luxury Italian brand that sells a range of high-quality, '50s-style kitchen appliances. These feature rounded edges and pretty colors that can instantly add joy to your kitchen. Products include small and major appliances like refrigerators, toaster ovens, and dishwashers, all with streamlined designs and advanced technology. While Marrs used these appliances in a home renovation, if you don't have the budget, there are similar retro-looking products you could invest in that won't break the bank.

But what is it that makes Smeg appliances so special? This brand helps us elevate our home's interior space, whether by incorporating colorful appliances in our decor or by adding an unexpected design. The products have features other appliance brands don't such as refrigerators with a right or left door hinge option, kitchen ranges with brass burners, large oven capacities, soft-close doors, and toasters in colors like rose gold metallic and baby pink. Partnering with fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana for an outrageously expensive hand-painted "Sicily is My Love" line, Fiat for an adorable car-shaped mini fridge, and iconic brands like Peanuts and Coca-Cola with special edition collections, Smeg's fantastically unique products are works of art.

Whether big or small, Smeg appliances are showpieces, and that's what HGTV's Jenny Marrs and her husband Dave Marrs wanted to bring to country singer Gabrielle Mooney's space during Season 5, Episode 12 of "Fixer to Fabulous." The TV hosts performed a total home renovation to the metal barn structure on Mooney's property, complete with a full kitchen decked out with Smeg's line of luxury retro kitchen appliances. 

Jenny adds a glossy black Smeg Fab 50 refrigerator to a tight corner in the kitchen. The fridge is so pretty that it almost appears to say, "Hi, look at me" the moment you walk through the door. At the same time, the new Smeg Portofino gas range blends effortlessly with the dark-colored cabinets and light countertops, along with the matching retro Smeg built-in dishwasher. The black Smeg appliances are thoughtful and intentional pieces that pop against the stark white kitchen walls, helping transform the space into a cozy, cottage-style suite. A coffee station just off the kitchen features a shiny Smeg coffee machine that lets you set the aroma intensity and makes the whole retro kitchen look come to life. 

But there are some downsides to buying Smeg kitchen appliances. The prices are usually higher than those of most other appliance brands. Plus, as pretty as their products are, Smeg has been criticized for prioritizing aesthetics over function, and in some cases, their small appliances have been outperformed by cheaper brands.

Not everyone can afford to replace their appliances with novelty ones. When you don't care about certain functions and want eye-catching appliances with a designer name sitting in your kitchen, then Smeg has a product for you. However, if you prefer beauty and substance, there are alternative brands that can give your kitchen a '50s-inspired design that Jenny Marrs would love.

Rather than maxing out your credit cards, smaller appliances can offer the same vibe — and for a lot less. Instead of buying a pink Smeg stand mixer for a whopping $600 at Williams Sonoma to display on your countertop, you can buy a pink Frigidaire retro mixer for $100 at Home Depot or a pink Dash mixer for under $50 at Amazon that won't make you feel guilty when it's stored away. Or, instead of a chrome Smeg two-slice toaster for $200 at Amazon, consider the silver and copper Haden Heritage two-slice toaster for under $70 at Williams Sonoma. Of course, there's always the option to paint your existing fridge to give it a high-end look.

The list goes on as other competing brands revamp their product lines to outshine Smeg. Although some fall short in their cool retro designs, many have managed to match the aesthetic and also bring both functionality and affordability. Brands like Samsung and Iio have fridge options that come in shades other than the standard appliance colors and can give you more bang for your buck.