I don't know why I'm so strongly pro-visible appliances, but I think part of it is tied to my affection for the fridge as a big display board. Whether it's for kids' artwork, calendars/schedules, postcards from friends and family, or just a fun collection of magnets, I feel like the kitchen isn't complete without a fridge display. The rest of my kitchen can be neat and tidy, but that little space of quirk always puts me in a good mood.

While those ones don't look "hot" putting panels on fridges and dishwashers can look great:

http://www.joannehudson.com/kitchen-bath/#http://fs-basics.s3.amazonaws.com/portfolio/images/p20.jpg

http://www.joannehudson.com/kitchen-bath/#http://fs-basics.s3.amazonaws.com/portfolio/images/p21.jpg

My parents did this in their kitchen and it's lovely. It makes a difference with a wider (not as deep) refrigerator, since the alternative is either a big chrome, white or black box in a kitchen with lovely wood cabinets. I'm not a fan of the picture used in the post however.

Depends on the kitchen. I just put a panel-fronted SubZero into a client's kitchen because it was literally the very first thing you saw when walking in the front door. And since it was small kitchen, the stainless steel of the dishwasher front and the range was enough metal.

Honestly it depends. The way it's done in that picture, no. When it truly blends in and is flush then I think it's neat. Though I'm proud of our french door Amana fridge and would never hide it. ;)

Hidden fridge like this though ... awesome ...

http://www.carolinahg.com/media/SPRING08/Hidden%20Fridge%20Alpha.jpg

Not crazy about the example, but done right, this can be fabulous. And if you must have a display space, make a corkboard or a magnet board.

When I've saved enough money, I'm putting in a smooth white fridge to sort of match my shiny white cabinets. I did put a door panel on the dishwasher b/c I liked the look, plus it sort of hides that it's directly next to the stove. I don't like the look of stainless appliances, except for a stove (can you guess mine is ss? ha ha ha).

How am I supposed to show off my super-fancy-pants stainless steel Sub Zero fridge if it's covered in cabinetry??? FAIL.

Not the best example.

To tell you the truth, I don't understand expensive wooden cabinetry in the kitchen anyway---much less covering up the appliances with it. I lust for St. Charles cabinets. http://www.stcharlescabinets.com/

Like most things in life, its only 'hot' if its done right, else its just a 'hot mess'.

saer
http://cravenmaven.wordpress.com

I've never seen this kind of thing not look stuffy. Maybe it exists, I just haven't seen it.

My appliances are like this; not my choice, it was like that when I bought the place. While it is cohesive, I think it is annoying. I don't care if anyone realizes that I do have a refrigerator and dishwasher; it isn't as though I'm trying to keep it a deep dark secret.

I do like the sleek look of paneled appliances. I'm seriously considering doing this when I redo my kitchen sometime this year. My fridge and dishwasher work perfectly, but they're both an outdated grody beige, so I think it'll be much cheaper, more green, and probably more re-sellable to panel them. Why replace something that works?

it can work or not, depending on the kitchen, but the photo used is really unattractive.

I had this discussion on Saturday when I went to a very nice remodeling studio. Almost all of the appliances were built in and hidden, and I didn't really care for it. When I do my remodel this year, I will buy high-end appliances that will not be covered.

I generally like this look. It works especially well if you're trying to style your kitchen in a bygone era. Modern appliances really put a time stamp on the room, and covering them up is much easier than finding vintage appliances that will fit your needs.

We rented an apartment once with fridge behind cabinetry. It really helped the kitchen look neat and tidy. Too bad the attachment broke so we had to open the cabinet and then the fridge door separately...

Oh and I also think that the one in the photo is a really unattractive example.

My appliances are covered with Wood Mode panels. When we replaced our dishwasher, my husband opted not to put the wooden panel back on. I was against this idea but lost. Our stainless steel dishwasher is a pain to keep clean. It shows every finger mark.When we replaced our sub zero's...I won. They were again covered with a panel and they look great.

This reminds me of my teenage years. I thought, then, that it would be very fancy. Now, however, I just think it's very 1990's. I'd much rather stainless steel where color-matching is a thing of the past.

Not when it's so fake-looking, no.

I've never like the Sub-Zeros with cover panels, but I like refrigerators completely concealed with panels (essentially in the cabinet box). Ditto dishwashers.

I'd say its a "hot" concept but the cabinets in this kitchen are very "not"

LOVE this concept, but the picture posted doesn't do it justice. Saw a kitchen on a home tour where it was seamless and amazing.

I'm with the others...I wouldn't be against the idea, but it looks kind of sloppy in the example photo. I guess I wouldn't mind it if my kitchen already had covered appliances, but...I doubt I'd put any effort into disguising them, either. It's like hiding...I don't know...your BED, in the bedroom. Um...that's the point of the whole ROOM.

Modesty panels for dishwashers, anyone?

i DO like that kitchen though. but i like my appliances to BE appliances- and if you have to replace or fix them it can get costly.