Special Series: Appliances: Part Two: Technology Takes Over Today’s Appliances

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To meet the design needs of today’s homeowner, there are three guiding principles for modern appliances: Meal preparation must be quick, cleanup should be easy and appearance is everything. Technological innovations are allowing appliance manufacturers to meet these demands. From steam-cook ovens to smart washers to easy-to-clean cooktops, there is a world of choices available. “Everyone now spends more time at home than they ever did before,” says interior decorator Priscilla Castellano of Andrea Lauren Interiors in Tampa, Fla. “And what I’m finding more and more is that people want pretty, but they also want to know, ‘is it functional?’ ” The answer to that question, appliance manufacturers say, is yes. Here are some of the latest offerings. Maytag French Door Refrigerator Refrigerators: Water Dispensers and Message Centers Consumers love the French door-model refrigerator, with two-door fridge on top and freezer drawers on the bottom, says Home Depot appliance divisional merchandising manager David Passafiume. What they did not love was that until recently, they had to sacrifice the convenience of external water and ice for the attractive design. But that problem has been solved. “Maytag was the first to introduce this new innovation and it has been the fastest growing category in refrigeration,” says Passafiume of the Maytag Ice2O, which is now available in a counter-depth model. “The fresh food compartment is at eye level. There is greater storage ability, there’s the great look of French doors and the external water and ice. It’s a win-win.” But who says refrigerators are only about food and drink? The other prime function of this largest of kitchen appliances is as message central. Shopping lists, calendars and photographs adorn many a fridge door. To clean up that clutter, Whirlpool offers the centralpark connection, a refrigerator with interchangeable digital photo album, iPod speaker system, dry erase message center and tablet computer that can be used to record grocery lists and then taken with you to the store.

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