Reno:
Could/would you please explain.......
"I've said it before: A "good" design meets code, while a "code minimum" design is almost always poor design- and often doesn't meet code!"
My friend, could you please explain how a 'code minimum' design could possibly not meet code.
You also mention.....
"....that a dedicated 20-amp circuit is wasteful to the point that it might even be considered a code violation."
Yes, the current generation of refrigerators are efficient, but I cannot grasp how a dedicated 120/20 circuit could be considered a 'code violation'?
