7. Iconic appliance predicts the color revolution

Kitchen design went through a bit of a color-wary phase after the curvy, pastel ’50s groove and the avocado greens and harvest golds of the ’70s. From then on, the colors of the day— almond, white, and black—weren’t really colors at all. Now stainless steel—another noncolor—signals the kitchen of a chef-inspired modern cook. Praise be, then, that splashes of color have returned in the design of small appliances: coffeemakers, toasters, blenders, even waffle machines and slow cookers. Setting the color pace, and keeping it, has been the KitchenAid stand mixer. New shades have been introduced every year like fashion statements. This year’s cool new hue: Crystal Blue. Today, a rainbow of 40 colors and finishes is available. The machine is a classic of form and function, but color is part of its DNA: The company was a pioneer of colorful appliances in the kitchen, debuting 1955-model mixers in Petal Pink, Sunny Yellow, and Island Green.

One of these mixers can be yours. Enter our Most Beautiful Dish Photo Contest for a chance to win.