by pam kueber on October 2, 2008
High-res scan - click to enlarge
Okay, this is the last day of my little fixation with retro laminates. (For now.) As you know, I am a devotee of the Sherwin Williams Suburban Modern palette, both interior and exterior. So, I have gone through Arpa’s line of solid-colored laminates and for the most part, been able to line up 10 colors that are pretty darn good matches to the 10 SW mid mod interior colors.
Virtually all of these colors were used on postwar kitchen cabinets by about 1955, lilac and rose red/pink flamingo a little later.
A few notes:
- The Rose Red appears to be a really great match for the S-W Pink Flamingo. On my monitor, though, the color does not show up true. The kitchen below is a better capture of the true colors. And click on the kitchen for that complete, Rose Red post.
- I really could find no good Arpa match for SW Pearl Gray. The Arpa alabaster is much lighter, but tonally in the right direction.
by Pam Kueber on September 25, 2008
Following up on Monday’s exciting post about the Arpa USA palette of solid-color laminates, let’s take a look at how to use this material to recreate this 1959 Ma Bell kitchen. It would be oh-so-easy! Elements include:
- Laminate cabinetry using Arpa’s “Jardin” colorway.
- Cabinet pulls: Rejuvenation’s new midcentury “sharp arch”, in satin chrome
- Countertops are also laminate – I like Arpa’s “Off White” but there are 4 whites that could work – Off White, Snowbound, Dover White and Downy — that you can eyeball in your kitchen – and test adjacent to your appliances.
- On the floor, I’d put Armstrong’s faux-brick vinyl sheet, Saguaro in birch white
- And if you can scrounge them up — this kitchen also deserves a pink stovetop, built-in ovens, and even fridge…Reader Ron might be able to find you some
- If you can’t find pink or don’t want vintage - the Sub-Zero with appliance white panels and the old-style vent at the top, makes for a mighty fine authentic mid mod look. Pair it with a vintage range.
- For a sink – stainless steel from Elkay, they have lots of great designs straight from the era.
-
-
-
Arpa USA’ laminate in “Jardin”
-
-
Rejuvenation’s new Sharp Arch pull
-
-
Armstrong flooring, Saguaro in birch white
-
-
Search for pink appliances on clist, ebay and through our growing Retro Renovation network
-
-
Subzero side by side – appliance white panels – old style vent at top. Build pantry cabinets around it.
-
-
These Elkay sink tops are great, or use a classic double-bowl, countertop mount
-
-
Original ad: Promoting a telephone for your kitchen!
by pam kueber on September 22, 2008
I have been working on retro laminates lately – and originally thought there were only these big five: Wilsonart, Formica, Pionite, Nevamar and Arborite. But – I’ve now discovered a 6th company – Arpa USA. They have a terrific-looking portfolio — of solids, in particular. Some of the greens come darn close to that famous 50s pistachio… there are some pinks that are pretty good… ditto, blues. And, if you’re looking for that 60s Brady Bunch orange – Fiesta, baby, you’ve got it!
I emailed Arpa and asked if they could send me their ring of solids…and they did! Very exciting as this is the first product that I’ve ever asked for as a blogger – and received. I have several more posts planned on some of these colors and how to use them for retro kitchen and retro bathroom renovations. Thank you, Arpa USA!
Website: Arpausa.com
