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Fridgescaping: The Aesthetic Trend Dividing Opinions Online
In the vast landscape of internet trends, a new phenomenon called fridgescaping is capturing attention, igniting discussions, and stirring controversy. This concept, introduced by blogger Kathy Perdue in 2011, combines the functional task of organizing one’s fridge with an artistic flair, responding to our innate curiosity about how others live.
Leading the charge on TikTok is Lynzi Judish, known as @LynziLiving, a content creator from Hudson Valley, New York. She has gained significant popularity for her unique fridge designs, often inspired by pop culture, including themes from Practical Magic, Outlander, and her most notable creation, Bridgerton. After immersing herself in refrigerator organization videos, Judish shared her own video showcasing her elaborate approach earlier this year. She asserts, “You decorate your home, so why not your fridge?”
While Judish’s fridgescapes have encouraged many to declutter and embellish their own fridges, the trend has not been without its critics. In response to her posts, some users comment with skepticism, questioning the necessity of intricate designs and the impracticality of certain choices, such as including decorative items like photo frames inside fridges.
The backlash has sparked a wave of parody. An antiques dealer recently released a humorous take on fridgescaping, featuring bizarre additions to a fridge, such as a Barbie doll holding cheese sticks and a mannequin head adorned with lunch meat. Shabaz Ali, a creator known for his comedic critiques, also responded to Judish’s viral content, suggesting that most users could never replicate her stylized aesthetic and joking about the level of free time required to do so.
Negative sentiments about fridgescaping are prevalent not only among casual watchers but also reflected in media reports that label the trend with descriptors like “atrocious” and “bizarre.” Some headlines extend their critiques further by linking the trend to potential health concerns, often without providing a clear context.
Despite the ongoing debate around fridgescaping, it prompts an intriguing question: What, if anything, is wrong with making our refrigerators visually appealing?
Historically, refrigerators have served as a canvas for personal expression, where individuals curate their contents and decorate the exteriors. Fridgescaping amplifies this idea, transforming the fridge into a stage where creativity and aesthetics play a significant role, especially as users showcase their results on social media platforms. Though it’s easy to scrutinize this hobby due to its performative nature, it’s worth noting that kitchens have always been spaces of pride for many households.
In the 1950s, refrigerators became a common fixture in American homes, marketed directly to housewives through language that emphasized beauty and lifestyle. Highlighting their aesthetic appeal, companies introduced appliances in various colors and designs, encouraging consumers to view refrigerators as more than mere kitchen necessities — they were symbols of modern living.
Food scholar Emily Contois notes that early advertisements depicted fridges with their doors open, showcasing an abundance of food, representing American prosperity. The promotion of refrigerators as fashionable household items continued with designs incorporating lively colors and customizable features, allowing homeowners to express their individual tastes.
Judish’s modern fridges capture this same spirit, reminiscent of the aspirational storage guides from decades past. By adding imaginative themes, she sets her designs apart from those employing more conventional organizing tools. Her latest creations, including an Outlander-inspired fridge and plans for a Hobbit-themed design, infuse creativity and whimsy into everyday kitchen items, enhancing the experience of using one of the home’s most functional elements.
Judish finds purpose in sharing her creations, hoping to inspire others to engage with their spaces in a joyful and accessible way. “I hope that people find it achievable and that it brings them joy,” she expresses, noting that her intention isn’t to impose impractical standards but to encourage a more decorative approach to domestic life.
However, the mixed reactions to fridgescaping reflect broader societal attitudes toward women and domesticity. Judish’s concerns regarding perceptions of fridgescaping as a gendered activity resonate in light of past trends that have seen women’s domestic skills met with ridicule or dismissal. Her experience highlights the difficulty women face in gaining recognition for their creativity within traditional domestic roles.
An example from the AITA subreddit captures this tension, as a husband expresses disdain for his wife’s fridgescaping hobby, which he deems unnecessary. His comments reveal a disconnect from the labor behind meal prep and food organization, underscoring the invisible work many undertake in managing household spaces.
Fridgescaping, while criticized, offers not only a creative outlet but also a form of enjoyment for those who engage in it. Judish describes her fridge transformations as stress-relieving, emphasizing that this trend, rather than being harmful, is an avenue for joy and expression in domestic spaces. The reactions to fridgescaping serve as a testimony to ongoing cultural conversations about women’s roles, domesticity, and the value of personal creativity in the home.
Source
www.eater.com