Yeah, exactly. DH wants to paint the drawers an off white (not an option at time of purchase. I think that may be a good idea even w the butcherblock option

I asked ChatGPt to soften it up.

I really like those refrigerator drawers - are they GE Cafe?

I think that I might copy your painted floors for my lake house kitchen . . . Do you know what type of paint was used + paint colors?

I saw a website where they make side panels for refrigerators to hide the black. Not sure if they just did stainless steel ones. I'll find it if you're interested.

Yes, GE Cafe. It was FnB, I can look up the colors. 18" square diamonds, Pointing and Stirabout.

Yes, I would like to know about that!

Chatgpt took the diamonds off your floor?

Lol it does crazy things

mtn - here is the information on the company that I thought of when I read your question about covering the exposed sides of your refrigerator drawers -

https://www.frigodesign.com/

I found them when I was looking to have a copper shower base made for a doggie shower in my mudroom. I wanted something custom sized for my space + I also liked that all of their products are made in the U.S.

They fabricate all kinds of items - from stainless steel front and side panels for refrigerators to little metal signs (they even make steel showers for correctional facilities 😂). They use steel, copper, and other materials (acrylic panels/chalkboard panels/etc.)

The company is located in Brewerton, NY

They will provide you with a quote for a custom order quickly.

I would say a finished side in wood the wall color. So, a minimal type of cabinet. I think it is an appliance so I would not paint the metal. Marble may be more durable if you are going to use the top as set down space, but either wood or stone would be fine. I am not so concerned about paint vs marble "whites" in a space like this which is assembled anyway. And a white room looks a different shade of white on all four walls and the ceiling anyway.

If we did just one wood panel to cover the side, how would you adhere it? It is currently a finished side and of course not panel ready.

I think it needs ... a lamp! In any event it needs an outlet at counter height.

If you want to panel only one side, then I think the unpaneled side must fit totally flush to the wall which will require removal of the baseboard on that side. Otherwise if you are squarely in front of it, it will be obvious that the wall side is unpaneled. Even if no one is ever going to be squarely in front of it, I think it needs to be done with intention - paneled or fit flush as if it were built in. You do not want it to look slapdash.

As to how to attach the panels, liquid nails comes to mind first. But that is a very permanent solution. I’m sure a good cabinetmaker, such as the one who is making the panel(s), would have some ideas for how to attach it.

Or just build a cabinet that the drawers slide into. That would solve the problem including the surface for the top. I do not like this cabinet but it is similar to what I’m talking about.

That last option is what they anticipate - sliding in like a DW would and giving something to support your countertop. I'd go white sides and wood or possibly a soapstone or similar top.

Yes, the baseboard will be removed/notched so it will be flush against the wall.

I don't really want to build a cabinet. It can be attached to the walls without one. This is literally a space behind a door in the smaller of two pantries off of our primary kitchen. And all three of those space are unfitted, so nothing typical here.

That last option is what they anticipate - sliding in like a DW would and giving something to support your countertop.

Yes that's the norm.

Is the side magnitized? Can a magnetic sheet of something powder coated be used on the side?

I'm team wood, finished the color of your wood cabinets-ish. No need to be exact. A wood top down plays this piece. It need not stick out, it is just behind a door. Blending in is better.

Yes, one could use one of those appliance magnet covers for the side. Not a bad idea considering the (swinging) door is always open, because of the views.

My (doting) DH moved the butcher block top from one of our d/w drawers to see how it looks here (it just sits on top it is not adhered) .

This top is too thick for here, but I realized the mock up we did with just the cutting boards was wrong because a counter has a bit of an overhang, as this does.

Obviously this is the incorrect size but it gives me a good sense. Getting warmer.

Much better! It’s beginning to look less like a filing cabinet. 😁

I love that GE Cafe line! Last night my refrigerator started making an odd noise. If it croaks, I’ll be tempted to buy the fridge from that line.

In my search, reviews were mixed about every fridge I looked at, except Subzero. I will sing their praises too, and have had them in all of our homes save this one. They don't make anything so gauche as my retro aqua fridge, and the drawers would have been too big for this space ... and 2.5x the price when all was said and done.

The cafe drawers are not as sleek and smooth as my SZ were, but they are decent for sure.

Much better! It’s beginning to look less like a filing cabinet.

Funny you should say that. The piece with the butcher block below is a dishwasher drawer. And it looks like ....

When my DH moved the top from here into the pantry on top of the new fridge drawers, it made me realize I may not need to bother making my new appliance look built in; I have lived a full and happy life with my DW looking like this --- defiantly not built in.

Also, unbelievably, I found a butcher block cutting board the same size as my new fridge drawers .. on Amazon .. arriving tomorrow. And also fully returnable. I will see how it looks....

Meanwhile I emailed the magnet person about the side ... which I would do in plain white. I just may be able to wrap this up very quickly and reasonably. Maybe even for ThxG! If not, Plan b.

I have had very good luck with GE. Original stove in house was 1965 GE, replaced in 1980 with GE and that one replaced in 2019 with GE. Replaced freezer in garage with garage ready GE freezer that works great.

Cute! Could you velcro a piece of fabric to the side? Gathered or pleated, of course.

Could you velcro a piece of fabric to the side? Gathered or pleated, of course.

I could, but I think it would be odd to have it on one side and not the front, where it would occlude the drawers

Moved on to art (the sardines are from another part of my K)

I'd have to use a different towel so as not to create any Food Chain tension.

This would be my sixth Molly Maguire. Can't help it I love the ground color

They look like they were always there .. what a great solution.

Thanks, @Funkyart. It gives us nearly 50% more refrigerator space, just in time for ThxG!

BTW, I am leaning toward this because the aqua background is the same as 5 other pieces of art in my house (same artist) and I like the continuity. Also, the BP has pretty busy wallpaper on the other walls, so the fact that this is almost a solid in way, is a plus. I can get any size print.

Do you think this is too big? I think chatgpt did it pretty much to scale. It is 20" wide and 26"high including the frame. The drawers are 24" wide.

In other news, a wood top arrives today and I ordered a white magnet for the left side, due in a week.

I like big art

That color is beautiful. You can play with height for hanging once it arrives. The size looks great. Love the drawers too. You are making my head spin in a good way - I wanna be like you & Sueb.

I think the size is perfect! And so is the fridge.
It really works!

Ok, I bought the framed print! It feels right to me.

And the wood top arrived. DH "styled it" and sent me a photo while I was at Mahjong.

All that is left now is the white magnet cover for the left side, which is due in about a week. I don't think we are bothering to do anything else. It *is* an appliance. If it had a wood paneled front then I think it would be odd if it were not built in, but I think this is more than fine as is.

BTW, the wood top was $155 on Amazon and came in a day. Boos would have 3x as much and 5-6 weeks, plus shipping time. I am surprised at how nice this top is.

This whole project has been crazy fast and quite reasonable for what it is, especially with the bargain at Greentoe and going this direction vs Subzero paneled and built in with a Boos top. Not to mention how long all that would take.

Looks great. I like the art you picked too.

Looks like it has always been there.

I think it looks great with wooden top.

Props to DH on his styling ability.

Mary Maguire is here. Magnet for the side (to cover the original black finish ) is here. Still waiting on roman shades for this pantry.

Already LUV the functionality. All of ThxG ingredients, and only my ThxG ingredients, are in these two drawers.

It looks great! Love that you have the ability to keep your Thanksgiving ingredients separate.

Yes — that kind of party or ”event” storage is a great function for that appliance. I am not a fan of refrigerated or freezer drawers but I can see theit utility in that spot in your BP. They look good where they are.!

The towel is adorable, but why is a towel needed there?

The towel is adorable, but why is a towel needed there?

When you are standing in front of these drawers, a sink is IDK, 5 o r 6 feet to your left. There is nothing else in this room with a big wide handle so its a good place for an extra towel.

I had a different, lighter towel there, and it fell whenever I opened either drawer, but this one does not