When considering bathroom or kitchen cabinetry for a mid-century remodel, I like to remind folks about laminate. This is a material with nearly infinite design choices… it’s relatively affordable… well-constructed, it can last a long time… and it’s authentic mid-century. Over on Very Vintage Las Vegas, Uncle Jack spotlights Heidi and Scott’s mid-century bathroom and kitchen renovations, where laminate was used beautifully.
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7 comments
MrsErinD says
I love laminate vanities. I swear I will get pics of my textolite soon, I am getting a new camera for xmas or a little before, the one I have now is SO old and everything comes out blurry, arrgh.
Julianna says
Hello laminate fans and kitchen remodelers,
I have been seeking answers to a specific question about laminate: I’d like to apply laminate directly over the stained 4″ x 4″ ceramic tile in my kitchen. I want to avoid ripping out the original counters due to mess, waste, and most of all the probability of damaging the plywood cabinets that I want to keep. I could install a plywood substrate over the tile, but that adds noticeably to the height/depth of the surface, and is extra work I’d like to avoid if possible. But I’ll do it if I have to. Just hoped there might be an epoxy or adhesive that would allow me to add laminate right over the top of the tiles. Possibly I’ll be able to adhere laminate onto the backsplash w/o substrate, since pots won’t be dragged across it… but have to add plywood to the counters. Any advice would be appreciated!
Also for those who have re-sold vintage homes… Is laminate or stone better in a vintage kitchen? My other option is to install marble tile on counters with accent tile backsplash. Do you feel marble counters are going to bring a higher value than the vintage look of laminate? I’d like to put Formica black sparkle finish counters with aluminum metal banding trim on edge, then aluminum laminate for the backsplash — Formica Deco Metal Aluminum Spin, or Horizontal Corrugated Matte Aluminum. My appliances are black, cabinets white painted, other wood trim in the room is white. Floors will be gray linoleum-look vinyl. I have a multi- colored tile backsplash above the stove which I’ll keep. What do you all think would “sell” best?
Thank you!
Julianna in Portland, Oregon
pam kueber says
Hi Julianna, this is not a DIY site — you need to talk to a professional directly, or maybe a hardware or big box store can help you out. Regarding your design questions, my concern, if you are remodeling only with the intention to sell, is that anything you do that is “different” will not be appreciated by most sellers. Your plan sounds pretty specific to certain tastes for most sellers….We have some real estate agents from Portland and Seattle who read the blog, perhaps they have some advice. Stone for a mid-century home countertop: No way. And note that if you raise the profile of the countertop, you had better specify your aluminum banding first to make sure the sizes line up.
Heidi Swank says
Thanks for posting our renovation Pam. Now that we are pretty much done with this house, we are hoping to actually make some headway on the 1956 ranch house we live in just a block away.
pam kueber says
Oh, it’s YOU Heidi! Great job! 🙂
Cindy says
Yea, you know I love the laminate look, having done both the kitchen and the bathroom in a WilsonArt product. So versatile and easy to clean….and yes, very authentic to the period. Here in New England it’s a bit frowned upon (probably the case everywhere)….but just like avocado bathroom fixtures……….some of us love it!
pam kueber says
Yes, Cindy — you are the master of laminate cabinetry. Anyone interested should be sure to check out Cindy’s retro renovation laminate bathroom vanity … and her kitchen cabinets made from laminate. They suit the house perfectly!