Barbie Dreamhouse FT. Big Chill!

There’s no denying all the hype surrounding the Barbie Movie this Summer. How could there not be a ton of hype, after all these years the most popular doll ever created is getting a movie! Whether you played with them yourself or had a family member that did, everyone knows Barbie. In fact, the Barbie brand has over 99% brand awareness globally and is sold in 150 countries worldwide. Although these dolls have always been popular, the buildup around the Barbie movie has definitely taken Barbie to the next level.

Many TV Networks and brands of all different kinds are incorporating Barbie into their advertising efforts wherever possible. It’s great to see all of the creative ways companies are blending Barbie into their advertising. One Barbie feature that especially caught my eye is on HGTV. HGTV’s Ashley Graham is hosting a series this summer called the “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge”. Basically, this four-part series features eight teams of designers, each creating a room inspired by a specific decade of the 60-year history of the Barbie Dreamhouse. The network recently released pictures of the various rooms and to no surprise, my favorite is the kitchen.

Barbie Dreamhouse Kitchen

(Refrigerator: BC19BFPLEYI2 / Range: BCR36BYNG / Wall Oven: BCWO30BY / Range Hood: BUNG48BY)

If you can’t tell the decade designers styled this kitchen after, was the 1960’s and Big Chill was more than ready to step in with their appliances.

Big Chill was started in 2001 when Thom Vernon was designing the beach house of his dreams, and he wanted a vintage fridge to complete the space. However, he wanted the 50’s inspired look, but without sacrificing on performance. So, Vernon approached his nephew Orion Creamer who recently graduated from a Denver, CO product design school to help him with this project. When Creamer accepted, they got to work and eventually in 2003 they made their first sale when a passerby noticed the Big Chill refrigerator in the front of Vernon’s house.

To say Big Chill was an instant hit is an understatement. Right after their first sale, they decided to start selling to the public. Creamer created a palette of vintage-inspired colors for the fridge, which was innovative at the time with neutral colors being the trend for appliances. This line of colors was huge for people wanting to make a statement and who wanted a different kitchen from everyone else.

Eventually, Creamer decided he wanted to create appliances inspired by other eras. This is when the classic and Pro lines were born. Big Chill’s Pro Line brought sleek, contemporary detail and included colors both bold and subtle. While the Classic Line was inspired by the industrial-chic movement, being rich in detail and emanating sophisticated warmth.

(CLASSIC – Range: BCS36CLAWTNG / Range Hood: BCCH3618LCW / Fridge: 22BFCLA / Dishwasher: DW24CLAWT) (PRO – Range: BCPRO48SSLP / Range Hood: BCPH4818LSS / Fridge: BC19BFPLCWI2 / Dishwasher: DW24PLACW)

Although, I love all of Big Chill’s product lines, retro is definitely my favorite. Not to mention it was the perfect fit for the Barbie Dreamhouse! See below for other pictures from HGTV’s Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge and comment on your favorite room!