Julie Ashby’s Cool Smeg Fridge Auctioned for Charity

February 3rd, 2015

Julie Ashby’s Cool Smeg Fridge Auctioned for Children’s Charity

Following on from the success of their first auction, Smeg New Zealand is once again giving the public the opportunity to bid for a stunning Smeg FAB28 retro refrigerator which has received a makeover by a talented New Zealand designer.

This time it is Julie Ashby’s ELEGANZA going on Trade Me to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand, the New Zealand chapter of the philanthropic arm of the McDonalds Corporation.

This striking piece of contemporary design was one of four created for the 2014 Smeg Art Design Competition.

With its new luxurious vinyl cladding and deep-buttoned upholstered finish, Eleganza imbues the SMEG FAB28 Smeg fridge with an air of sophistication not normally associated with everyday objects.

Smeg New Zealand Distributor and Managing Director Rachel Louie says that the 2014 Smeg Art Design Competition resulted in some truly original design work.

“It was a fantastic competition that allowed us to highlight the creative minds and innovative design work that exists out there in the market,” she says.

“We received dozens of entries and our panel of judges were hard pressed to select the finalists,” says Louie.

“The great thing is that while these fridges are unique one off designs and spectacular to look at, they are absolutely functional and utilise the best of Smeg technology,” she says.

The four FAB28 fridges are currently on display at Kitchen Things Auckland stores and are all being individually auctioned off through Trade Me (www.trademe.co.nz). The four finalists were handpicked by some of New Zealand’s most notable names in design including Tim Webber, Dave Sotogi, Kiri Nathan and Mal Corboy.

The auction process began with Nikolai’s fantastic ‘KNIT’ design which resulted in $1,785 raised for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand. The remaining three fridges will all go under the hammer for an extended 14 day period, each in succession of each other.

Wayne Howett of Ronald McDonald House Auckland says they are thrilled Smeg New Zealand would choose to donate all funds raised from the Trade Me auction to the charity.

“Here at Ronald McDonald House we say that our kitchens form the heart of our homes; they provide the space where families come together for comfort and nourishment after a long day on the hospital ward,” says Howett.

“This novel fundraising initiative is the perfect way to mark the start of our partnership with Smeg. The funds raised will go directly to our ongoing operations – ensuring our kitchens remain clean and stocked with staples and all the equipment our families would find in their own kitchens at home,” he says.

For all auction details visit the Smeg Art website (www.smegart.co.nz) or search ‘Smeg Art’ on Trade Me.

The four FAB28 fridges can be viewed at the following Kitchen Things store locations:

Nikolai Sorensen: KNIT
Kitchen Things
Mt Eden (439 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland)
Online Auction: 20 Jan – 2 Feb

Julie Ashby: ELEGANZA
Kitchen Things
Constellation Drive (4/60 Constellation Drive, Rosedale, Auckland)
Online Auction: 3 Feb – 16 Feb

Matt Blackmore: AROUND THE WORLD
Kitchen Things
Mt Wellington (Apex Mega Centre, 383 Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington, Auckland)
Online Auction: 17 Feb – 2 Mar

Aleisha Stanton: DIRECTION OF THE FUTURE
Kitchen Things
Newmarket (25 Kent Street, Newmarket, Auckland)
Online Auction: 3 Mar – 16 Mar

For a detailed overview of the designer FAB28 fridges, the auction process, the competition and judges’ comments head to www.smegart.co.nz

The Smeg 50s retro range features unmistakably vintage designs whose classic, sinuous lines and vibrant colours combine perfectly with cutting-edge technology. It's safe to say that this product line, developed by Smeg’s internal design studio, has definitively opened the door for personality conveyed through appliances.

Like other famous designs, the original and best FAB28 coloured refrigerator is more than just a mere fridge. It’s the focal point of the kitchen, just like the signature sofa or lamp in your living room.

Smeg has also developed a range of other appliances with exactly the same vintage theme: refrigerators in various sizes and with various capacities, dishwashers and soon to be launched small appliances. Always evocative and eclectic, they are the standard bearers of the "Made in Italy" design quality that is famous all over the globe for its blend of art and functionality.

About Applico Ltd
Applico is a 100% family owned and operated New Zealand business. The company that introduced New Zealand to European appliances 28 years ago specialises in quality, fashionable European-designed kitchen appliances for discerning customers.

ENDS

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