“Fake butcher block countertops” are another one of those original vintage house features that I often hear called “hideous” on other websites. (Crikey, how I have come to seriously dislike that word — it is overkill, please refrain.) I, on the other hand, not only have “no problem” with butcher block laminate, I am 100% on its side, especially for late 1960s and 1970s homes. I even put some in my house. I asked Formica, and they report that their butcher block laminate — the pattern shown at the left — has been in production since 1972. How is that for enduring! I did some research, and found only two manufacturers that still make 1970s-era butcher block laminate:
- Formica 204 Butcherblock Maple (pictured above) and
In fact, I ordered butcher block laminate for the countertops in two areas of our house. Now, don’t be put off because neither place is glamorous like a kitchen. But, first, we ordered butcher block laminate to make a countertop in my husband’s basement workroom. It sits on top of two old Ikea playroom storage thingies that weebit no longer used — as I recall, we paid $75 or less for this piece of countertop from Home Depot. I’m kind of fuzzy on the details, but as I recall, at the time we put this in, Home Depot carried this countertop as a stock item — you could walk right out the door with it. (Everything back there is faux granite.) I’m also fuzzy on the maker of this laminate. I’m thinking it’s Pionite. Reason being: When I was finishing up our kitchen, we had aquamarine cabinets left over that I installed in the garage. We needed countertops made to size for those, and, yes: We ordered butcher block laminate, again. I’m pretty sure they were Pionite (now discontinued), for some reason that’s what’s stuck in my brain, and I tend to be good remembering silly details like that. For the two sections in the garage — manufactured to our size specifications and including a corner turn — I think we paid around $150.
As we know from trying to buy Formica boomerangs: Anytime you can buy laminate or laminate countertops for the Big Box stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, etc.: You are going to save big bucks vs. going to a specialty place.
And above: Wilsonart Truss Maple 7972 appears to be a sleeker version of butcher block. And here’s the look in dark oak.
Hey: Butcher block laminate is “authentic” — and the price is right. Don’t let anyone else sway you because it’s “dated.” Didn’t you hear: The ’70s are B-A-C-K.
Leslie says
I currently have butcher block laminate in my 1963 Ranch home. I remember it was the cool new upgrade in 1973 replacing the original turquoise laminate. I live in my childhood home, so I know the history! For about 10 years I’ve wanted to replace it, but I’ve actually have started to love it again. I still have the original sink with the hudee ring and the butcher block laminate still looks great after all of these years. If this is considered hideous, I’m a huge fan of hideous laminate!
Annie B. says
To me, butcher block laminate is just as representative of the ’70’s (and ’80’s) kitchen countertop as the boomerangs are of the ’50’s.
If the solid almond color laminate of the early ’80’s ever returns as a retro kitchen design trend, I am set! Actually, if you accessorize the almond color creatively (and close one eye), it can look very MCM.
Elizabeth Mary says
In 1975 I was one of the first people to move into the new apartments on Roosevelt Island in the East River of Manhattan, facing the Manhattan skyline. It was a great place to be in those days. The galley kitchen was one of my favorite kitchens ever — so easy to work in. And, the counter tops were the faux butcherblock laminate and I loved them.
After 7 years there, things changed, and I moved to a pre-war building in Jackson Heights, Queens (my last stop in NYC before escaping upstate in 1985 where I remain). The kitchen was teeny tiny, but had a breakfast nook with table and built-in benches. I needed work space, and never ate at the table, so I went out and found someone to make me a faux butcher block slab to install resting on the backs of the benches, providing me with the needed work space, with storage on the table and seats below. Never even considered anything other than the butcher block laminate. Loved that too, but as Cindy said, I am a lover of laminate.
MCM is Grand says
We have this in our 1970s kitchen…some water has creeped up into the corner, where the sink met the seam, swelling the “pulp” in the midsection of the laminate. Other than that that it is easy to clean and maintain…. BUT…our ultimate goal is the restored 1950s kitchen for our 1955 house, so the butcher block is going to go…Here’s the question: will retro renovators years from now say: “I can’t believe she removed that great laminate butcher block? What was she thinking?”
Ah, fateful decisions. 🙂
Gerry says
I saw a wonderful dining table on Craigslist last month. Walnut legs with a cool harp-like decoration and a fake walnut laminate table top. Someone bought it before I could. But how practical – laminate top so you can set drinks, etc on it and not ruin it. A local restaurant has tables with fake maple laminate and I think that is
the way to go. Now if I can just find my practical dining set!!
Stacey says
I have sort of a love-hate thing with butcher block laminate. In fact, I’ve just replaced the butcher block in my 70s-era kitchen for two reasons: 1) after 40 years, it does get worn, and 2) I was tired of looking at it after 40 years (not always in the same house).
The good news is that I replaced it with another lovely, smooth laminate!
Cindy says
Love it Love it Love it….(As you know I love laminate for all things!)
Eliza Jane says
The great thing about the faux butcher block is that it is so smooth and easy to clean. And easy to see what needs to be cleaned. Then when you’re done you have a nice, smooth, light colored stretch of countertop that is easy on the eyes. Heh. We have ceramic tile countertop in our 1965 kitchen and it is a huge pain to clean (all those grout lines) and several tiles have chipped. If we ever replace it I am going with good old faux butcher block.
denise says
Oh how I love the ’70’s. But I wasn’t really a big fan of the faux butcher block until a few years ago I found a liking for it in certain circumstances. I bet it looks great with the color of your cabinets! Maybe that’s what it is….just pairing it up with the right ‘furniture’.
George K. says
It’s nice to know butcher block laminate is out there. I’m looking for what appears to be the wood “end-piece” (shorter end) not the strip side view ( long view, as in your photos) butcher block laminate for my 1966 brown tone kitchen. I want a much darker brown. I haven’t really begun my search yet but found two great examples: the tables in a newer restaurant in my hometown which has a bit of a 60s/70’s vibe, and a commercial where the macaroni product is placed on a background of short-end butcher block. I had a hard enough time looking for darker parquet-design linoleum because “It’s not in” or “That’s what the brothers buy”–salesmen quotes–REALLY! I finally found commercial grade parquet with a lifetime residential use guarantee. Hopefully I’ll find the laminate I want.