Whirlpool Corp. top-load Vantage washers and dryers November 2010
More from WSJ.com: The lowly washer and dryer—for years condemned to toil in the basement—are increasingly becoming the showpiece of the first-floor laundry room. So more appliance makers are gearing them toward high-end, tech-savvy consumers. Taking cues from the technology and fashion industries, appliance manufacturers are developing laundry machines with more specialized settings and chic-sounding finishes, such as blackberry and lemongrass. Some can even tell consumers when something goes wrong. "As people have thought about their living space differently and found ways to make daily chores easier and quicker, the machine has migrated up to the living area," says Betsy Owens, vice president of Sears Holdings Corp.'s Kenmore brand. "People think of it almost like a piece of furniture. It needs to fit in with the style of the home and reflect the personality of the owner." Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE: IBM - News) in August launched its top-load Vantage washers and