Where to find speckled gold laminate? Also called “lame” (with an accent on the “e”, as in “lam-ae.”) A typical reader question, like this one:
Hello – I really hope you can help me. I have been searching for weeks with no luck. I have an old trailer from the 50’s and need to replace the countertop and table top. I would love to put in the old style white spunggold or white gold textolite but cant find even close to it. Do you by chance know of a manufacturer that still makes this or something similar.
Thank you so much,
Kelly
Update 2018: A reproduction is now available! See this story.
See all my countertop resources here
Wendy Peter says
I am recreating glitter counters with glitter and epoxy. I even found gold starburst confetti to add in. Necessity is the mother of invention!
John Garner says
I want to learn how to do this because my house just got flooded and I really want my gold fleck countertops back.
pam kueber says
John, this is not a DIY site per se. Look for a professional source who can instruct you on whether/how to do this. Note: I am not an expert; do not know if epoxy coatings are considered good for kitchen countertops / food-safe, etc — again. consult with pros…
joy says
Wow! People are actively searching for this stuff and here I am searching for a way to cover it up! My old home I recently purchased with my husband has the bottom half of the walls in my kitchen covered in this stuff……
Kate says
Sounds really cool Joy! Sparkle laminate is highly sought after. 🙂
Meg T says
I have this in my kitchen and I love it! But it’s cracking and stained, plus sadly a lot of the sparkles have been cleaned right off. If we were to try to replace it, what do you think is the closest available look from modern products? I was looking at a brushed-finished quartz that had similar sparkles but $$$!
Jessica says
This is what is on the metal cabinets in my laundry room & there is a strip of it on the small shelf that separates my kitchen & dining room. I’m not too fond of it & will eventually get rid of the piece in the kitchen, but will leave the metal cabinet tops as is. I love finding out the history of all the vintage stuff in my house.
pam kueber says
The most desirable laminate to have, I think! Wish they’d bring it back!
Alex Colvin says
Greetings:
I moved into my townhouse (built 1965) 3 years ago, and have been enjoying trying to make it livable without interfering with much of the original features which were kept in fine condition by the previous (and original ) owner. One thing I especially liked are the gold sparkle texolite kitchen and upstairs bathroom counter tops and original sinks and hardware. I’ve replaced a few ceiling fixtures with ceiling fans (our Houston summers can be brutal,) Recently a bathroom ceiling fixture (fan/light/heater combo) went out and the master electrician I had look at it said it would be almost impossible to replace the original heating elements, but I’ve got the light working at least and was able to salvage and clean the original glass globes — still in pristine condition.) The large living room sliding glass door is original, but my predecessor had all the other windows replaced with fine modern double panes for energy efficiency, but they compliment the place for which I am grateful. It’s a pity, though that I won’t be able ever replace/ repair the counter tops with like material. But, aside from a loose corner here and there they are in excellent condition. One thing she did was leave photos of some of the original appearance of some things, such as the dark hardwood kitchen cabinets that she updated with a bright white coat of paint. I am tempted to strip them back, but may forgo that to keep the kitchen from seeming extra small. Great site. Glad I stumbled across it. Kind Regards,
A.
mimi says
Mine is in horrible shape. Wish I knew where to get more.
pam kueber says
Mimi, gold speckles no longer made. I have a lot of research on retro-style laminates, though. Check them out in my extensive Kitchens/Countertops category here: https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/countertops/
amanda says
wow, i didnt think i would ever see an article or post about the gold speckled countertops. my house was built in 1936 and i have the whit countertops with gold speckles and there is laso some green in it to. they have so much character
pam kueber says
haha, we have several stories and soon I am going to the factory where they were made! welcome!
Mongoloid1951 says
This looks just like the counter we had growing up. I really enjoy this website. My daughter turned me on to this web page. Sure brings back the memories.
Dana at CafeD says
Hi Pam and Retro Renovators,
*waves*
We have white gold Texolite in our kitchen and it’s stained very badly from coffee and god knows what. I’ve tried scrubbing and bleach on some of the worst spots and all either does it remove the gold specks – the stains are pretty set-in.
Anyone know how how to clean Textolite?
I wonder what the old vintage ads say about that?
I’m off so continue my searching….
Any info would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Dana at CafeD
pam kueber says
search my post on Countertop Magic. also try – Mr. Clean Magic Eraser – I used this on plain white recently and it was miraculous
Dana @ CafeD says
Thanks Pam!
Will do!
Claire aka Second Hand Roze says
My grandmother used laminate flooring (I think, I know it was laminate) on the house she and her husband bought in the late 1950’s. The only room in that house that was ever “redone” was my grandmother’s bedroom which was updated in the ’70’s at my mother’s urging.
Good luck on your countertops!
Claire
aka Second Hand Roze