The internet has been inexplicably fixated on optimizing our refrigerators for years. In Marie Kondo's heyday, we were tossing old condiment bottles that stopped sparking joy in our lives. Then came The Home Edit, which convinced us to drop hundreds of dollars at The Container Store for a bunch of acrylic organizers.
The next stage of this cultural phenomenon presents an even bolder argument: we should make our fridge decorative, even if that makes it less functional.
When you open up someone's refrigerator, you can safely expect to see vegetables, butter, eggs, and probably some old takeout containers. Eve Scampoli's, on the other hand, looks more like a Crate and Barrel catalog gone wild.
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Scampoli, known on TikTok as @gardenof_eve, has been posting videos of her fridge since April 2022, but this one from last month took the internet by storm:
Except for yogurt, hummus, and a bag of romaine, everything is stylized. Baby carrots, sliced mushrooms, and trimmed green beans each have their own designated decorative container. Herbs are stored in pods that looks like alien test tubes. Even the 30-odd cans of Michelob Ultra are arranged in pristine rows.
What got TikTok users up in arms, however, were the decorative touches that have nothing to do with food. There are pilaster strips that don't support anything, and their holes serve as miniature flower vases for fronds of eucalyptus and baby's breath. Instead of a simple pill organizer, supplements are divided into tiny bottles sealed with corks. And, most notably, a framed photo of Scampoli's cat sits on the top shelf.
A few people sounded off in the comments to admire the design. User @fairychapi wrote, "THE FRAMED PIC OF THE CAT - im copying this when i get a fridge."
User @michaelduvallxo shared a similar sentiment: "i actually love this and it motivates me to clean out my fridge and add a freaking cat picture."
While some appreciated Scampoli's aesthetic-driven refrigerator, the majority of users were decidedly upset about it.
"You absolutely cannot make a meal out of anything in there," said @user3901382807323."
"Inflation making people decorate bare fridges now IM DEAD 😂, " commented user @kari41766.
User @queenyjustiney's response was succinct, but perfectly captured the Internet's opinion: "ENOUGH."
Based on Scampoli's multiple videos, her fridge appears to be a constantly evolving art piece. In some posts, quail eggs sit in staggered ceramic containers and look as if they're seated in a stadium. In others, enormous floral bouquets take up entire shelves.
Ornately styled fridges feel like an adult version of the aggressively decorative lockers in my middle school's hallway. I may have grown out of storing my textbooks next to wallpaper and plastic chandeliers, but for Scampoli and many others, the trend looks to have moved to a new location. I have too many miscellaneous condiments to be able to execute such a beautiful fridge, but I can't help but respect the people who can.
What do you think about decorating your fridge? Let us know in the comments.
Gabby Romero is Delish’s editorial assistant, where she writes stories about the latest TikTok trends, develops recipes, and answers any and all of your cooking-related questions. She loves eating spicy food, collecting cookbooks, and adding a mountain of Parmesan to any dish she can.
