Retro style laminate for your 50s or 60s bathroom counter top – an updated catalog

Posted by: pam kueber • September 8, 2008

: Arborite Arctic Angora

: You know I like this pink one!

: I have this one in one of my bathrooms. It is beautiful. Matches a soft blue tile perfectly.

: These three Wilsonarts are my favorite. They are not online or on display – you have to special order them. I hope they are still available.

: I really like this one, too, for the linen texture, which I think is spot-on 50s. Might only be available in Canada – beg, cry, get hysterical

: Remember how, heading into the 60s bathrooms took a real turn toward the “Roman”? All these marbles and onyx’s definitely lean you right into that trend.

: The name says it all: Classic

: May possibly be available only in Canada. Check. Cry. Beg.

: Hmmm. Maybe for a bathroom. For sure good for a kitchen. This is a reproduction of a European design. Also available in a darker grey.

: Maybe. For a really “fun” bathroom. Wall tiles — should match, e.g. PINK of course!

Maryland Nancy is searching for laminate for her bathroom reno, and alerted me that the colorful Nevamar swirlie’s are discontinued. Alas. So, I did another survey — and here is an update of the laminates landscape for bathroom vanity countertops, as far as I can determine. Scroll over each image with your mouse to see the name of the design, and the manufacturer. You can also click on each image, and the name/manufacturer are there just below the image.

Over the coming weeks, I will do similar updates for kitchen countertops, for laminated kitchen cabinets, and for laminated bathroom cabinets. I also will be comparing these to some vintage Textolite samples that I have, to help suggest the most authentic matches. A big topic, my eyeballs are popping out of my head just from this one!

I also want to point out that:

I have found these online. Please test them in your house for color correctness!
I can never vouch for whether they are still available. Argh. They do get discontinued with some frequency, it seems…
You also always have the choice of solids. Although I personally have a big fondness for anything with texture.
You can do your own search by surveying all these manufacturers: Wilsonart, Formica, Pionite, Nevamar, Arborite and Arpa USA.