Now that our Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® collection of seven color ways of boomerang laminates is officially available, we thought it a good time to update our core one-stop-shopping resource story about all the boomerang laminates in the market today. We now calculate four different designs — in 29 different colorways — of boomerang laminate. This is all in an effort to make it as easy as possible for you to find the boomerang laminate countertop of your dreams — and hooray for all of these wonderful choices!
Four designs — 29 colorways — of boomerang laminates available in the U.S. today:
So you want boomerang laminate? Today, there are an astounding 29 color ways in 4 different designs to choose from. NOTE: We do not keep this pricing updated in real-time; PLEASE do your own comparison shopping:
- Formica boomerang in charcoal (1) – Under $100 sheet online via big box stores including online via Home Depot, as one example. Formica ONLY has charcoal — NO MORE aqua, blue or coral; discontinued; kaput.
- Wilsonart Retro boomerangs (12) – High contrast, punchy colors of retro boomerang laminate. Check for latest pricing from Heffrons [disclosure: a longtime advertiser on this blog], Bars & Booths, Home Depot and/or other suppliers, who also may/should be able to get this laminate. In our experience, there can be significant pricing differences, so do your homework and shop around.
- Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® boomerang collection (7) – Tone-on-tone midcentury appropriate colors made with Retro Renovators in mind. Check for latest pricing from Heffrons, Bars & Booths, Home Depot and/or other suppliers, who also may be able to get this laminate. UPDATE: Now available directly from Home Depot online delivered to your home — in two sizes.
- Vitro boomerangs laminates (9) – Check for latest pricing from Heffrons [disclosure: a longtime advertiser on this blog], Bars & Booths, Home Depot (?) and/or other suppliers, who also may/should be able to get this laminate. In our experience, there can be significant pricing differences, so do your homework and shop around.
The $$$ benefits of shopping around:
Again, shop around — it can really pay off. Note this comment from Suzanne just two days ago on our story about ordering samples of our boomerang collection:
Just ordered samples of all of them! Wish these would have been available when I was choosing my colors for my sewing room! I recently used Wintergreen Daisy for a newly created bathroom (former laundry room) in the 1905 farmhouse we are restoring, Yes, 1905 is a little before retro / MCM but the former owners told us that there was no plumbing or electricity until 1948 so I think some retro finishes will be just fine in keeping with the character of the house.
I ordered my countertop from a local lumberyard; I only needed 6 feet but I ordered a 12 foot piece so I would have extra if I wanted it for another project. I think it was around $200 total for the formed countertop; Lowe’s had quoted me almost $800 for the same thing and HD couldn’t figure out how to order from the VDL [Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library]! I did have to wait about 8 weeks for the countertop but it was totally worth it! Those daisies make me smile every time I go in there! I still have two more bathrooms and a kitchen to do in that house – so glad to see these new boomerang color choices!
Other tips on getting samples and finding fabricators:
- When you order samples from the Wilsonart Virtual Design Library, I noticed that when I got to the Cart checkout, there was a list of dealers along the right-hand side.
- Get samples of the Wilsonart Retros and the Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® collection directly from Wilsonart.
- Samples of the Vitros are only available from Heffrons, Bars & Booths, etc., as far as Pam knows.
- Get the Formica sample from Formica.
Lots of laminate research here on Retro Renovation
Peeples, we cover laminate choices EXTENSIVELY on this blog — if you are looking for laminate see our Kitchens / Countertops category — we have many many stories on where to find the “best” retro options. We try to stay on the topic of laminate selections like hawks. Go through our Kitchens / Countertops category if you want red laminate counter tops, Carrara marble laminate, still-made 1960s laminate, linen-look, crackle ice, orange laminate, etc. etc. etc.
Disclosure from Publisher Pam:
I want readers to know: I do not make money if you buy the laminates in our collection with Wilsonart; “the deal” that I have with the company includes other elements of consideration. For example, on Feb. 1 they will launch an advertisement on the blog, for which Retro Renovation is compensated. So, I do not have any incremental financial reason to promote the laminates in this collection over other options — see all our research on countertop options to find the product that’s right for you! – Pam.
Related stories
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Installing corner cubby, what not, or knick knack glass corner shelves
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Formica catalog from 1938 — 50 colors and designs — 12 pages
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10 places to find retro laminate for kitchen or bathroom countertops + my research tips
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An affordable substitute for pastel Formica boomerang laminates? Two new designs with potential
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What this story really highlights is the swell job you did developing the “RR” collection. Your tone-on-tone approach made for much more subtle, authentic, and broadly appealing patterns than the existing collection.
So Formica now only makes one boomerang laminate even though their name is a common usage like kleenex – how weird is that?!
I have a feeling that the RetroReno from Wilsonart will have more staying power than some of the other choices – retro without being in your face. One of your posts last year had to do with “others” not getting our interest in (ok, obsession!) MCM and asking when we’ll be doing “updating” – using the Wilsonart, they may still not fully get it but can appreciate what we’re trying to do with our classic homes.
I can also see some mix&match going on – subtle in the kitchen and cah-razy in the rumpus room!
I received my B&W samples and my Retro Renovation Boomerang samples. I found that First Lady Pink does indeed go very well with 70W pink.
Great! As part of our development process, Kate toted the samples into her own 70W bathroom to assess and help get a good match!
It goes pretty well with my 1959 GE pink too, thought that is a bit more “baby pink.”
Here is a picture I took of some samples next to my original 1959 GE Pink oven:
http://s788.photobucket.com/user/4ebay_bucket/media/House/IMG_3464_zpsjavnp96y.jpg.html?sort=2&o=8
Left to right are RR samples: jade, gray, pink, aqua and beige
Yes, that is a pretty good match!
Thanks for the photo, Maria! Also, it’s my experience that the color ‘change’ when you put them down horizontally. The light (or shadow) hits them to lighten or darken them up….
I also tend to believe that as long as the basic undertones are right/similar/same, that once everything is installed your eyes harmonize the colors. Especially once you get accessories in there.
Can’t wait to see what you decide!
I have an appointment this Monday to get the Retro Mint in my kitchen. This couldn’t have come at a better time!
When you look at all the designs together, I think the colorways that you came up with really fill a niche for the residential market. The other Wilsonart option–the Retro ____ line, seems too frenetic colorwise and density-of-pattern wise to be a good fit for most kitchens. The Retrorenovation colorways (And the Formica) seem most authentic for period home kitchens–the older colorways seem more commercial/diner-ish.
Thank you. I do think some of the other designs are quite nice, and have seen them used beautifully in readers’ homes. For example, Amber used Retro Butterscotch in her pine kitchen, and I think it looks great! http://retrorenovation.com/2014/06/02/knotty-pine-kitchen-retro-remodel/
Pam and Kate, I think you guys hit the mark with your color choices for the RetroRenovation line. Seeing them in the middle of the line-up I can apreciate how easy on the eye the colorways are, not ones to soon be tired of. It will be interesting to see over time, the amount of interest that Wilsonart sees for the new colors.
I recently put in the Formica Charcoal. It’s fabulous! Hard to tell, but there is just a hint of blue that really pops next to my turquoise walls. I did order 11 other samples but none were quite right. Home Depots in Oregon look at you like you grew a third head, though, when you ask for it. Luckily a place called Linoleum City carries it IN STOCK!
Yeehaw! I just ordered samples from Wilsonart. They have some really neat stuff in the Folk Art section too. And I ordered a couple samples of the Baseballs design for my friend who is in love with all things baseball. Can’t wait to see the Boomerangs in person! My kitchen can’t wait either!
I’m still waiting to learn what a “colorway” is.
A “colorway” is a decorating term used either for a single solid color (blue, pink, turquoise) or more often for a dominant color within something that comes in a combination of colors, such as patterned laminates or printed fabrics. The word first appeared in 1950’s advertising and decorating magazines, so it is a particularly apt term for retro decorating materials. Hope this helps, Joe!
Arggghhhh! You have GOT to be kidding! I just JUST (like, two days ago) ordered a different formica because the one and only Wilsonart boomerang – Charcoal – seemed too dark for my kitchen. And I so wanted boomerangs! *head hitting keyboard*
Oh well, I’ve learned to love Betty and so Betty it shall be. Very happy for everyone else and well done, Retro Renovation, for pushing them to offer what the public wants!
We love Betty too!
So love this. I grew up with this on my Mom’s kitchen counter tops. Ours was salmon color with grey, black n white boomerangs. Birch top table with hair pin legs on table n chairs. So cool. No wonder I gravitate to retro design. My Mom was right into 1950s design. Our brick ranch was built for her in 1954. Need to dig up some picks. Love u guys!
Bunny
My favorite, hands down is the Retro renovation line. Nice job Pam and Kate!
I agree–the Retro Renovation line is so much nicer. The others are so bright and busy and it’s hard to concentrate on the design–just the colors. I can’t wait until we have a chance to retro renovate the bathrooms in our next house soon!
BTW, I ordered some samples of the RetroRenovation boomerangs, and they are out of samples in Delightful Jade. Gives you a good idea of the most popular color!
Whoa!
I just got my RR samples and the pink boomerang is on back order. Evidently that is a popular choice too 🙂
Thank you so much for these new designs. I have a 1950s house and want to redo my kitchen counters. I just ordered samples of your red and aqua boomerangs, as well as the Betty laminate. I have a question that hasn’t been addressed here. What do you recommend for flooring to match these? Currently I have a white/off-white vinyl that is very boring and most importantly, shows all of the mud that my dogs track in. Do you have suggestions for a genuine vintage style, or modern with vintage flair, for kitchen flooring? I want to either do linoleum/vinyl or tile of some kind.
Hi Karin, nice to hear from you! Start digging into our Kitchen Help / Flooring category to assess options we have researched to date — http://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/flooring/
You can also go through Kitchen Help / Readers and their Kitchens to see what readers used. http://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/kitchens-hi-pam-reader-spotlight/
I have had the orange (ruby) for five years now and I love it more every day. It makes me happy every time I look at it.
We are making countertops out of Wilsonart Delightful Jade boomerang pattern. We also need to find a paint color that matches the green background. I thought this would be easy but it’s not. I haven’t found any paint cards that match from Behr, Benjamin More or Sherwon Williams. I was told it can’t be matched on the computer because the design would confuse the color match of the background. Any else found a paint color that works?
Hi Allison,
Pam and I can do more research when we are back on the blog again next week. I did take a quick glance at my Delightful Jade boomerang countertops next to my Sherwin-Williams paint swatch deck, and found that ‘Bonsai Tint’ looks pretty close to the background color of that pattern. Might be one to check out.
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6436-bonsai-tint/#/6436/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0
Thanks so much will check that out! As for metal edging. I’ve notice lately counters that have screws in the sides. Is this a different banding than the T-style?
Yes, you can still get banding that attaches with screws. Then you don’t need to router the T’s. There’s also snap-on edging.
Bonnie Jo Campbell put this style banding along her kitchen countertop: http://retrorenovation.com/2012/02/27/bonnie-jo-campbell-updates-her-swamp-house-kitchen-and-talks-about-living-modestly-to-pursue-a-dream/
We have various go-to sources and there may be more from readers in comments. Here are the stories that come up when I type countertop edging into the Search box near the top of the blog: http://retrorenovation.com/search-results/?q=countertop%20edging
You could also scan Kitchen Help/Countertops subcategory for possible other stories.
Hi Pam, would you happen to know which ( if any ) of these laminates are gloss in finish ? – or are they matt ? –
I just rescued today from a construction dumpster an original 4′ x 2′ countertop with backsplash on 2 sides and original steel edge trims all intact in perfect condition with the white Skylark/Boomerang laminate by Formica original to the house from the 1950s currently being renovated (or more like re-decorated). I rescued it more for ecological reasons to repurpose for my laundry room than its iconic and designer pedigree. The Skylark pattern was designed by Brooks Stevens and styled by Raymond Loewy in the 1950s. Brooks Stevens was also the industrial designer that coined the phrase “planned obsolescence” and I just did the opposite.
Good for you, Andre!!!!