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1950s laminate – Wilsonart provides some history

Posted by: • September 9, 2008

As follow up to my post yesterday – with a round up of all the laminates for bathroom counters that are on my radar today – I also recently found this great little history of laminate in the 1950s, from Wilsonart. 2011 update, Wilsonart has taken story down, but here are a few highlights:

  • Laminate was so popular in the 50s, that a chrome-and-metal dinette cost four-times more than a wood dinette.
  • Plastic laminate was desirable for its impermeability – easy to clean up.
  • Another reason for the bright, exuberant colors of the 50s: Colors were rationed in the 40s during the war, when the color du jour was battleship gray.
  • Speckled laminate — also known as lame’ — was made with real glitter, which was invented in the 30s.
  • Marble and wood-grain were popular – with many choices still available today.

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

Posted by: • September 8, 2008

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. Heck yeah there is more →

Retro countertop laminate: Two new Formica choices

Posted by: • July 5, 2008

These are new from Formica. Both look like they could swing either “warm” or “cool” – that is, work across the spectrum from reds (and pinks) to blues.

I really like the Linen – a very typical look for the 50s — Hey, Formica, can we have it in green, blue, pink and yellow?!:

And, the Brescia marble is getting closer to the vintage crackle ices of the day:

More tools for our retro renovation toolbox!


Atomic Turf green and Atomic Orange laminate from Formica

Posted by: • April 8, 2008

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Seems like I’m starting the week off with the spotlight on RESOURCES! I was checking out Formica’s site recently – and saw these two new laminates. They both have a nice retro groove, underscored by their names, Atomic Orange and Atomic Turf. Back in the postwar era, there were a number of laminates that had a scratchy-burlap feel. These two remind me of those.

Update, July 2010: Janice used the green Atomic Turf in her kitchen — I love it! Check out complete information about here retro-inspired kitchen here.

Update: Sept. 2010: Erik writes to let us know that Atomic Turf has been discontinued. Drats. If this is what you want, you still might try contacting Formica to see if anyone has any stashed away.

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