countertops – laminates, metal edging & more

Here are some basic recommendations for laminates and countertop materials that would look good in a retro kitchen. Important: Important: We all care very much about managing environmental and safety issues properly, so when undertaking your restoration project, be sure to familiarize yourself with and use recommended best practices. For example, the EPA hosts a website on lead in the home and a website on asbestos in the home. Consult professionals regarding these materials, and also about the proper disposal of debris, etc.

1. SCROLL DOWN for LAMINATE selections

2. ALL ABOUT COUNTERTOPS

Stainless steel / metal countertop edging: The #1 choice for sure

• Stainless steel edging for your laminate countertop
• Installing the stainless steel countertop edging
• Handling curved edges

Installing vintage sinks

• All about hudee rings – click here
• All about clips to hold in vintage sinks/hudee rings – Click here
• Where to find hudee rings – the metal rings that rim a drop-in sink

Important countertop design tips:

• Mixing materials- like laminate, butcher block and stainless steel to achieve mid-mod variety
• Installing corner shelves including in glass or wood

Here are interesting stories about laminate history:

• 1960s laminates
• 1950s laminates
• And so cool: The 1958 Wilsonart laminate house!
• And – help Jeff, he salvages speckled laminate for banjo fingerboards

Vintage bathroom vanities made out of laminate – you can recreate these pretty easily:

• Vanity in pink and charcoal
• Speckle sparkles and notice the great knobs
• Great 1952 vanity in a Formica ad
• Australian vanity
• Small vanity with mirror, very cool

Advertisements showing laminate cabinetry in kitchens – also easy to recreate:

• Beautiful 1959 pistachio green kitchen

Here are reader homes feature laminate kitchen cabinetry:

• Holyoke Cindy’s 60s kitchen and bathroom both have laminate counters and look great

CURRENT RETRO-STYLE LAMINATES ON THE MARKET

Regarding Laminates: Designs come in and out regularly, so also survey these six companies yourself: Formica… Pionite… Wilsonart… Arpa USA… Nevamar… Arborite… And, it’s recommended to see actual samples before you commit to buy.