Breaking news and first on the interwebs, yay: We discovered today that the new Formica® Laminate Jonathan Adler Collection — nine designs in all — was posted on the Formica website in advance of its official introduction scheduled for Jan. 21 at KBIS. AFTERNOON UPDATE: But whoopsydoodle, Formica published the page accidentally, and it was immediately taken down. So, you had like a one hour window to see all the goods. Didja? Meanwhile, because we were cautious about using images from the website that we … guessed … were not supposed to be live yet … Formica’s PR rep sent us some super special sneak-peek images. We are told this is on the only place on the web where you can see all the designs — woot! Brenda Starr reporting. 🙂
Update: Not sure if all the products on this page from 2015 are still available. I’ll leave this up for the archive, though.
Jonathan Adler designed three patterns — in nine colorways — for Formica
Note: For this special sneak peak we only have the thumbnails, above.
Lacquered Linen:
There are four colorways for Lacquered Linen, the most “useful” of all the designs. Colors are Crème Lacquered Linen, Green Lacquered Linen, Orange Lacquered Linen and Charcoal Lacquered Linen. Likely, they’ll sell a lot of those Creme and Charcoals, but you know us: We are digging that burnt orange and rich avocado big time. Funky and rich retro classiques.
- Note, other companies have introduced linen-pattern laminates over the past few years. See all our laminate research in our Kitchen / Countertops category here.
Greek Key:
Greek keys are a signature Adler motif. While we’re not big fans of the pattern — too contemporary for us — we do appreciate the relatively small scale. Colors are Orange Greek Key, Blue Greek Key and Charcoal Greek Key.
And, among all the three new Jonathan Adler designs for Formica we also like that he created (1) tone-on-tone prints and (2) made them multi-directional. That is, the pattern runs both horizontally and vertically in the same measure. Faux butcher block notwithstanding, this is what we like to see in a patterned laminate: Tone-on-tone, multi-directional prints — abstract, ideally, because laminate is a man-made material, it does not need to pretend to be something else.
Malachite:
Okay so maybe these aren’t tone-on-tone, well, not in namby pamby way. We like ’em. Cuz we like krazy. Colors are Blue Malachite and Charcoal Malachite.
Nicely done, Formica and Jonathan Adler! In particular, we appreciate the COLOR.
Pricing and where to buy:
Formica PR says this will be available to order and purchase at Big Box stores. The designs are rotagravure-printed — this is the method used for mass production. Which means, I will speculate, that these design will be available at a typical retail price — around $100 or less per sheet, similar to other production laminates. If I’m right, that’s great news. Officially, here is Formica’s estimate of retail pricing, installed:
Samples:
We presume these will be available after official launch Jan. 21.
More information:
Official launch is not until Jan. 21. Here is info from Formica’s October news release:
Formica Corporation, the inventor of laminate, has partnered with iconic potter, designer, and author Jonathan Adler to create nine bold new designs exclusively for Formica’s 2015 Residential Line. The new laminate patterns will be unveiled at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas in January 2015.
The collection will include many of Jonathan’s signature patterns in an array of hues ranging from subtle to bold. Perfect for countertops, accent walls, cabinets and more, each style will reflect Jonathan’s spirit of iirreverent luxury and represents a bold update of a classic material.
“This collection of new designs embodies Jonathan Adler’s design philosophy and we think it will inspire our customers to think differently about their environment in both look and function,” said Amy Gath, vice president of marketing at Formica Corporation. “We anticipate that young homeowners especially will be attracted to these sophisticated yet modern new designs as they look to add a truly unique and personal touch to their space.”
“Formica® Brand laminates are iconic and it has been a dream to include some of my favorite patterns, colors and motifs in the collection. The uses for laminate are limitless; I can’t wait to use the styles from my collection in my stores and design projects-I want to laminate everything in my life with the new line,” said Jonathan Adler.
Jonathan Adler is an internationally recognized design and lifestyle brand offering decorative objects, tabletop collections, bedding, bath accessories, gifts, candles, furniture, rugs, pillows, lighting, fashion accessories and more. The company prides itself on its ability to combine a serious design philosophy with a colorful sense of optimism. Jonathan Adler brings style, craft and joy to your home. To learn more about Jonathan Adler, visit WWW.JONATHANADLER.COM
About Formica Corporation
Founded in 1913, Formica Corporation, part of the Formica Group of companies, is a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative surfacing products for commercial and residential applications. For more information about Formica Corporation, its products, special programs and promotions, visit www.formica.com or call 1-800-FORMICA™.
About Formica Group
Formica Group globally leads the industry in the design, manufacture and distribution of surfacing materials. Formica Group is a global group of companies consisting of Formica Canada, Inc., Formica Corporation, Formica de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Formica IKI Oy, Formica Limited, Formica S.A., Formica S.A.S., Formica Taiwan Corporation, Formica (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Formica (Asia) Ltd., among others.
More Jonathan Adler:
Above: Jonathan Adler worked with Kohler in 2012 to introduce several sink colors. I am not sure if these are still available.
Above: Jonathan Adler has some very pretty lighting in his collection for Lamps Plus. This is a pretty big collection — still available.
Above: And there was a Jonathan Adler Happy Chic collection for JC Penney in 2013. Not sure of the status of this collection either.
Scott says
The linen looks like a very realistic option for someone doing a Brady-area kitchen… just be sure to take that backsplash all the way up to the countertops. 🙂
But add my “me too” to list of dreamers dreaming about sparkle or glitter laminate and flooring.
Jan says
Love the ‘Lacquered Linen!’ All four, but especially the avocado and burnt orange!
Roseana Auten says
I’d about kill for some sparkle laminate.
pam kueber says
Yup. Agreed. #1 on our want list. It would solve for SO MANY RETRO RENOVATORS. I’ve been trying to get the word out….
Debbie says
I wonder what it would take to convince Formica to run a special batch of sparkle, just for Retro Renovators? I bet there are a lot more of us out here than they might realize.
pam kueber says
Again, really unlikely — major manufacturers need to purchase minimum quantities of deco paper — very large rolls — and then warehouse the paper in climate-controlled facilities in order to produce the laminate. They also need to warehouse completed sheets flat in an humidity- and temperature-controlled environment. And of course, they need to market the stuff — not just show it on their websites, but make samples to mail out. Hence, small runs are not economically possible. See our story — How laminate is made here https://retrorenovation.com/2013/06/04/how-laminate-is-made/
Ashly says
I’m going to be the Debbie Downer and call the relationship between Adler and Formica a miss and one that I predict will be short-lived. For those of us familiar with the Adler brand and the luxury home goods, these options completely miss the mark (unless you’re just using them for accents). Adler’s design aesthetic is playful but sophisticated. These are just kitschy. I know there are MANY 60s/70s-loving folks out there who are MEGA excited about these color options, but I feel like this was a missed opportunity of Titanic proportions and I wouldn’t be surprised to see these options quickly move into the clearance bin. :/
I’m excited to see Formica have fun with designers, color and pattern, but it would be nice if 1) They would bring back the much loved/coveted boomerang and 2) produce more options for a colorful home that are not based on shortsighted design trends.
My hope is that the Adler-Formica relationship blossoms into something bigger and more beautiful with additional options in line with the usual Adler color palette and tongue-in-cheek sophistication.
pam kueber says
Thanks for your comment, Ashly. In many ways I agree with you. I tend not to write Debbie Downer-like, though, and focus on what’s positive about such intros. I do like the fact there is color in this collection. The Linen laminates are useful to Retro Renovators who are doing 1960s / 1970s orange or green kitchens or bars… and the blue Malachite could be fun in a retro-modern use. The Greek Key, as I said, is too “contemporary” for me — yes, too “trendy” for me; no.
The thing is, I have found over the years of following all this, that many of today’s retailers just do not seem to want to do major product launches that are simply reproductions of their popular old styles. They want to “update” their old designs. It’s like they don’t want to be pegged as out-of-touch with the mass market — AND, I will surmise they have made a calculation that the niche market is just too small to make a Return on Investment. The mass market wants stuff we Retro folk do not want. Today, it seems to be from my occasional look at shelter magazines, the mass market is being sold (still) big chevrons and big pattern to try to enliven up all the (still) Greige. The other big look today seems to be this Sonoma Napa Faux European Restoration Hardware on Steroids Low Chroma style. Shoot me. I think they have been hypnotized. These are just not an attractive looks with legs. Alas. I do not run the world.
I agree: I so wish we could just get some classic document designs back in classic colors. Boomies in those old colors! Formica had them for about five years in the 2000s — but Ashly, I guess they didn’t sell in adequate numbers or else Formica would have kept them. They kept the Charcoal.
My #1 wish: At minimum, will some laminate manufacturer give us gold sparkle laminate? The paper — full of real glitter inclusions! yes, real glitter! — is still available to do it! Someone just needs to take the chance. But that said, I’ll bet they’ve looked at it — and concluded the market it just not there.
A #2 wish, in synch with you: Give us more classic color abstract tone-on-tone multidirectional laminate designs that are NOT TRENDY. On my list for the new year is to do a survey of what’s available — I think there are some choices today — but they are few and far between.
Alas. It’s mass market reality where capital investments — and marketing costs — are intense.
Ashly says
Yes – give us sparkle laminate!
Even if these are produced in small runs, or heck, as custom orders, give people the OPTION! Personally, I’d rather place a custom order for something that I LOVE and wait 4-10 weeks for production than buy from the very limited range of options available on the shelves. The market as a whole has more options (compared to five years ago) and I’m optimistic that it will only get better. I hope that these manufacturers take notice as more mid-century homes become eligible for preservation status and the interest in rehabbing these homes rather than demoing them becomes the norm (wishful thinking on my part, maybe).
pam kueber says
Ashly, major manufacturers need to purchase minimum quantities of deco paper — very large rolls — and then warehouse the paper in climate-controlled facilities in order to produce the laminate. Hence, small runs are not economically possible. See our story — How laminate is made here https://retrorenovation.com/2013/06/04/how-laminate-is-made/
Wilsonart offers digital prints in its Indie line — they have numerous designs (including 20+ boomerangs) you can special order. Late last year, in fact, they reintroduced two document designs — Daisy and Compre — that can be special ordered. https://retrorenovation.com/2014/11/05/1960s-1970s-reproduction-design-laminate-wilsonart-retro/ Also see my Disclosure in this story
Formica Dogbone is a deco paper, way cheaper — http://www.formica.com/en/us/products/idealedge/05281
Here’s another fun story — https://retrorenovation.com/2011/10/14/formica-54-retro-colors-and-patterns-from-the-1960s-1970s-and-1980s-still-for-sale-today/
Reality check: Digital print laminates are made-to-order — and three-times the cost of what you can buy in Home Depot, etc. The Wilsonart digi boomies are 3-4 times (I didn’t check current pricing, note) more expensive than the single deco paper Formica boomie available (in charcoal).
We work to cover all new laminate introductions — deco-paper and digiprints, both — that might be suitable. See our Kitchens / Countertops category for all our research. https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/countertops/
Allen says
The “Greek Key” pattern mimics the Schlage Asian Motif escutcheons (Ming and Shou) wonderfully. Its almost a dead ringer for the Ming escutcheon! Exciting news
Roundhouse Sarah says
I want Jonathan Adler’s life!!!
I would have totally put the creme linen in my kitchen had it been available. I love that pattern in all of its color ways.
Steve H says
Pretty smart move of Formica to go beyond patterns that just imitate granite, stone, etc. Laminate has such unlimited design potential.
Jay says
Way to go Pam! Our girl Friday! We saw it here first. Your photos are great – the linen pattern looks like you could run your hand over it and feel the texture. In fact, I wouldn’t mind some pillows in the green and orange – very 60s and 70s shades.
Debbie says
Oh, if only that linen style came in the same darker blue that’s in the Greek key and malachite, my 1940’s-look-countertop-selection-dilemma would be solved. Good to know that we can always count on Retro Renovation to be the first with the useful news!
Lisa says
Holy moly! I love love love the lacquered linen in Orange. As a child of the 70s, I cannot have enough burnt orange, avocado green, or harvest gold in my house!
pam kueber says
I’m all about those colors, too!