I wanted an American-style fridge. I wanted one so badly! And I've got one, but I have to say: it is huge! I am living with a vast metal slab in the middle of my kitchen. And it isn't easy to disguise the fact. Believe me, I try: I've covered the thing in fridge magnets, put large amounts of potted foliage in front of it, and I've placed my biggest cauldron next to it too. There is no getting away from the fact that it now dominates my previously pretty kitchen. So here are my tips for buying one...

1) Don't, whatever you do, be seduced into buying the largest you can fit in your kitchen. This beast needs room to breath.

2) Think about the doors - these are not made to sit in fitted kitchens - most of them are about 7cm deeper than your average kitchen unit, which is about 60cm deep. You can get some that are 60cm deep, but beware - if you place it among your units you probably won't be able to open the doors fully - big downer with a fridge. You need it to stand proud of the units a little to give the hinges some space.

3) It's really best to stand it in a corner where you have nothing else, a corner where it won't block out light. I am going to have get better overhead lighting to compensate :-(

4) Finally, these fridges, if you can bear to accommodate one, are brilliant! I love the ice dispenser and the cold water dispenser, and it is fabulous having double doors. Ours is short and fat (like the family it lives with) and now we can all see exactly what's on the top shelf. There are far fewer times when the kids call out, 'There's nothing in the fridge!'.

If I haven't put you off American-style frige freezers, you can check mine out here

Happy new year everyone - may all your fridges be perfect, and may all your fridge cake recipes, be chocolate ones!