Dear Anglophilia,

I've Included pictures of my own built in
refrigerator which is a counter depth Jenn-Air we inherited when we moved into
this townhouse.

Whether it's counter depth or not I always
build in the refrigerator this way because it's a permanent one time solution.

You have to follow the manufacturer's
specifications so you don't void your ref/f warrantee. That's why there are
3/4" wide strips on either side of this ref/f so enough air can circulate
so the appliance won't overheat. Also, there is tray storage above this
refrigerator.

Hope this has been helpful

Sincerely,

Joe Brandao

Joe that's beautiful! I used the same strategy with my counter depth KA fridge in the beach cottage, with the exception that the cabinet over the fridge, while appearing to be full depth from the side, was only 15" deep. I was using an existing cabinet that I bumped out and gave full height side panels to. It looks fantastic, much more like an "innie" than an "outie."

Joe, that looks just great! Thanks for posting it.

Joe, that looks great. The other thing they did that I hate, is that they ordered a cabinet for above that is too short - there is a huge gap between the bottom and the top of my refrigerator. They will fill it with trim, but I've lost 3" of usable cabinet above the refrig, and now cannot put awkward size appliances up there. I am going to insist that they replace this...at their cost. They DID measure the refrigerator and saw all my pictures.

I think (heck, I KNOW), that I"m much pickier than clients they usually have. My city is sort of a laid-back/lethargic/accepting kind of place. I constantly hear friends say that something that was done by remodeler or designer was not really what they wanted, but their reaction is always "...oh well" and they always tell the person who has done it that the just love it...it would be "rude" to complain. Did I mention that this is a somewhat southern city? My grandmother may have been a Lee but I am NOT a Southern woman who thinks it rude to complain if something is not done right.

Refrigerators are getting taller and taller. A 36"x72" H cavity will handle that growing trend if you need to replace the fridge down the road. And you WILL need to. Leave the fridge cabinet be so that you futureproof that instead of have to rip out the cabinet to fit in a new fridge.

Best to add a trim piece for the reason given above.

Joe how is the Jenn-Aire holding up? I actually do like the white front and am wondering if it's worth saving thousands to not have an integrated fridge.

Thanks, Joe! I will get out my tape measure (if I can find it - still a bit chaotic) and see how mine compares to these measurements. They will be back Mon to work on the cabinet.

Can you have them hinge the trim so that it lifts up from the front so you can slide in trays or whatever to store on top of the refer?

You do realize that by enclosing the fridge that way you are significantly shortening the life of your refrigerator. I'm betting its a pretty expensive appliance, too. Unless you are providing some kind of extra (and powered) ventilation, heat builds up back there and kills the fridge much earlier than should be the case.

If this is so, then why on earth does everyone do this? It's not tightly sealed?

Dear Cpartist,

We inherited it when we moved in it was 10 years old then it's 13 years old now and the only thing we had to replace was one of the door gaskets.

It's still working fine.

Sincerely,

Joe Brandao