Home Improvement : Slimmer Refrigerator Offered by Admiral
Admiral, a Schaumburg, Ill.-based manufacturer of appliances, has entered the small but lucrative market for 24-inch-deep refrigerators and freezers. This high-end market segment had been the sole preserve of Sub-Zero until the introduction of Traulsen’s Ultra line a few years ago.
The Admiral Continental Series of kitchen appliances--refrigerators, freezers, ovens, cooktops and dishwashers--made its West Coast debut at last month’s National Kitchen & Bath Conference/West at the Long Beach Convention Center. Last month, I saw the line in Dallas at the huge exhibition held in conjunction with the annual convention of the National Assn. of Home Builders.
The Long Beach show, the first regional event sponsored by the National Kitchen & Bath Assn., attracted about 3,000 persons and was a major showcase for several European and Canadian firms, as well as many domestic producers of kitchen and bath products.
The Admiral Continental Series--with some of the appliances made in Europe and others made in the U. S., but all backed by service centers across the nation--is a major advance for those who want a truly custom kitchen.
The traditional refrigerator protrudes as much as six inches beyond the rest of the kitchen cabinets and appliances. Not so the Admiral Continental Series, which measures 24 inches deep. Even better, the Admiral refrigerators, freezers and combination units are modular: They can be combined in stacked, side-by-side or column configurations based on whatever design you or your designer can dream up.
All the units accept paneling to coordinate with custom-designed cabinetry, according to Admiral. The flush look of the 10 appliances in the series is necessary to create the sleek European look of many of today’s upscale kitchens.
According to Jack A. Riggs of Continental of Southern California, the Southern California distribution outlet for the Continental series, suggested list prices range from about $1,100 for two under-counter refrigerators with a total capacity of 12 cubic feet to about $2,700 for a unit similar to the one illustrated. This model has four doors and about 27 cubic feet of freezer and refrigerator capacity.
Riggs said deliveries to selected kitchen design firms will begin in March. His firm is located at 25422 Trabuco Road, No.105 N, El Toro, Calif. 92630.
Speaking of kitchens, Custom Kitchens & Baths of Los Angeles Inc., 743 N. La Brea Ave.--just north of Melrose Avenue--is having an open house Wednesday through Saturday to celebrate the recently completed remodeling of its showroom. The hours are 6 to 9 p.m. and a free, 45-minute design seminar will be presented each evening at 7 p.m., according to Michael B. Baugus, vice president and general manager.
