The first time John Stonehill was invited back to his girlfriend’s house, he headed straight for the refrigerator. It was stainless steel with a water and ice dispenser. It told him that his girlfriend, Rachel, was financially comfortable.

The contents were revealing, too: a bottle of wine, a bottle of champagne, hummus, olives, fresh fruits and vegetables. “I came away knowing a great deal about her,” Mr. Stonehill said. “Refrigerators are filled with clues about the people who own them.”

“In Rachel’s case, it told me she liked to entertain and could probably create a quick and shareable snack for friends who unexpectedly popped by.”

They’ve been married for nine years.

“Refrigerators are great cheat sheets because you can learn a lot about a person,” Mr. Stonehill said.