Salvage stores and Salvation Army; call ahead for retro refrigerators; they check to make sure they work.

The Studio model from Big Chill fits perfectly and helps with my very low kitchen ceiling. Two people do not need a wall of fridge, so I think paying a little extra money for something I can move anywhere (it only weighs about 300 pounds) was worth it. I've had it for three years and it's worry free.

Oh, just so you know...

You don't get the hinge lock closures on these new refrigerators. They use a magnetized gasket just like other models.

I though I'd get that 'click, hiss' sound from pulling on the handle, but I don't.

fridgedair makes a small-stainless look fridge with a retro feel. It's not super-retro, but it has a curved front that leans toward retro. The great thing about it is you can get one for about $400.

I almost got the studio size Big Chill but couldn't stomach the price, it would have been an embarrassment to spend that much money on a fridge at my income level. I had thoroughly researched other options (Aaron's got them covered), so I completely know where you're coming from. I ended up getting the exact same Whirlpool Big Chill uses for the inside of their studio version (Costco sells it under their Kirkland brand) for less than 300 a couple of years ago. It's simple, white, nondescript, fits in my tiny kitchen, and works great.

"Salvage stores and Salvation Army; call ahead for retro refrigerators; they check to make sure they work."

The real thing wont' be the least bit energy efficient, will require manual defrosting, probably needs the seals replaced which could be difficult to impossible to source, never had racks in the doors, rarely came in anything but white, could probably stand a good paintjob and use Freon gas as a refrigerant which is closely related to Unobtainium.

If this is what the OP truly wants, I'd start putting money in a savings account for a new Smeg.

I logged in to say exactly what bepsf said. And old stove might work just fine, but an old fridge is going to be really unsound environmentally and, long term, economically.

I agree with saving for a reproduction.

energy efficiency is something i occassionally trade for aesthetics....however, i've had a vintage fridge. it did have all of the problems listed above. i am not willing to trade aesthetics for soggy veggies. they would rot about 10 times faster in the old fridge vs. the new. here's the one i want.
i may have to save for a gazillion years.
http://www.robeys.co.uk/pages/refrigeration/red.php
i would like it in a shade of white, though.

Old fridges can be environmental sound if they are old enough - it sounds counter-intuitive but you need an OLD old one for that. Don't ever get an '80s one - that's the bad age of gadgetry plus energy inefficiency.

A fifties one has so few features that if you replace the seals they can be environmental through sheer simplicity.

I never had any complaints about my retro fridge. It's from 1946 and passed to me from my mom when I moved into my first apartment. I have never had any problems with it other than the manual defrosting - never had to replace any seals. Mine works just as well as any other fridge I've had and much quieter. The only thing is - the fridge is better for one person or a young couple since it doesn't hold as much space.

I see no reason saving for a $3000 fridge especially if living on a fixed income and have better things to save for. Check Craigslist! Mine is worth about $2000 now, and my Mom got it for free from a neighbor who knew she couldn't afford a fridge.

Northstar is also retro but also pricey:
http://www.elmirastoveworks.com/northstar.aspx?src=fridges

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your help. I've done some more homework on this, and am leaning toward the Northstar studio size, which is at least less than the Big Chill studio version. Its Web site says it starts at $2,195. I would save for a Smeg, but as far as I can tell from the company's U.S. Web site, the only version available here has a freezer compartment, rather than its own freezer and that won't work for me.
The idea of having an actual retro fridge is nice, but I can't imagine the headache of defrosting, let alone trying to find new seals for it. I couldn't deal with the maintenance!
But I will look into that Fridgedair Alicia mentioned!
Thanks again, everyone!
Meg

Alicia,
Could you send me a link to that Frigidaire fridge? I can't seem to find one that fits your description.

http://www.amana.com/refrigeration/top_freezer_refrigerators/17_6_cu__ft__top_freezer_refrigerator_A8RXNGMWS.pro

These are somewhat retro from Amana. Not sure if anyone's seen these. Great prices. Just wish they were a little bigger. We have 18 cu ft now, and we would like something a little bigger.

http://www.amana.com/refrigeration/top_freezer_refrigerators/17_6_cu__ft__top_freezer_refrigerator_A8RXNGMWS.pro

Also, if you find a fridge like PP mentioned Costo/Whirlpool one in white, you can probably have it painted in your custom color by an auto body shop. Of course, there's the logistics of getting it there.

Add me to the list of someone who would like a Big Chill, in blue.

@gsciencechick, I had seen that Amana fridge. I like it (and have you seen the entertainment version? You can put whatever beverage you want on tap!)
However, I'm a little concerned that it's not Energy Star (the larger Northstar and Big Chill retro versions both are) and I'm not sure if it's the right color red. Or if it will fit in my kitchen. I'd love to check one out in real life, though.

No, I've not seen the Amana IRL. Energy Star would be a huge bonus, though. I emailed Amana a couple of months back to see if they had any plans to offer the color fridges in larger sizes, and they said no. I guess they are really going for the urban condo market only.

I believe the Elmira Nortstar retro fridges are based off a bottom-freezer Amana. My friend has a black Amana bottom freezer. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is door vs. a drawer.

DO NOT GET AN ELMIRA NORTHSTAR!!!!
We bought one about six years ago and already have to replace it.
We have replaced the door seals twice, and it NEVER has sealed properly.
The freezer compartment is too small.
The door is PLASTIC.
The fit and finish is horrible, there are glued on pieces of rubber on the sides near the top that aren't put on straight, and the end cuts are crooked.
But the kicker is---
We now have to manually defrost the drain hole EVERY THREE DAYS!! Or the refrigerator compartment gets very warm.
The company has been less than helpful, as a matter of fact they have been downright RUDE!
We tried one more service guy before giving up and he wanted to know what the fridge was built around so I called them Elmira.
The "customer service" person just about called me an idiot for not being able to find the sticker inside the fridge compartment-there is NO sticker inside! How stupid would I have to be to not be able to find a sticker.
Well after asking for her supervisor, and holding forever, we found the sticker-on the back and it had been painted over!! No help at all.
Worst money we ever spent.

Whoa, @fredfon! Thanks for the advice, because I was leaning toward the Northstar.

Also, in case anyone is interested, I e-mailed the Smeg USA e-mail address listed on their U.S. site, wondering if they'd start selling combination refrigerators/freezers in the states. It's been a couple of weeks and I've gotten no response. I don't understand why a company wouldn't respond to a potential customer, even if they couldn't give me much information. Makes me wonder about Smeg's customer service...

I can't speak to any brand but the Big Chill - we love ours. Yes it's an investment, yes it was hard to commit to it, but I'm happy to share that 1) we receive compliments on it every time someone is in our home. I share this because we finished out our basement family/rec room around this fridge; think Sundance catalog for a theme. The fridge will have to stay with the house when we sell it, and it will definitely be a big bonus aesthetically. 2) We have the same concerns about energy efficiency + a retro look, and this fridge has exceeded expectations. We use it not only as a bar area fridge, but as our overflow for everyday foods and/or party trays, and it keeps those items colder than our kitchen fridge. Love it.

Any updates on the Big Chill Refrigerator performance? Thinking about purchasing one and having a hard time finding much feedback about how people like (or dislike) them.