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1960s laminate: A short history from Wilsonart

Posted by: • September 10, 2008

More today from the Wilsonart laminate history archives. In the 60s, laminate colors got, at one end of the spectrum richer and earthier – and at the other end, pop-art bold.  Some of the defining trends from the period, this article says:

  • Color TV was introduced in 1965, bringing us closer in touch with design inspiration from other cultures.
  • The Mediterranean look – more specifically, Spanish Colonial — gave us both colors and textures like faux leather. “Corinthian leather!”
  • The op-art, pop-art world was a-flutter. Hence, the iconic oranges, yellows and lime greens of the period.
  • We loved faux everything. The future is Plastics.
  • Oh yeah: Squint and you can see avocado green and harvest gold… two colors that stayed with us well into the 70s.


A pink sparkle laminate vanity “for Modern Living”

Posted by: • September 10, 2008

Isn’t this laminate vanity terrific? Pink – and Speckle Sparkles – and those Atomic handles – oh my! It’s from Roezee on flickr - thank you, R! – who reports that the label reads:  “Star Vanity Bathroom Furniture for Modern Living.”

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!


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