UPDATE (Oct 2011): Click over to –> this story to get an update on all three sources for boomerang laminate.
If you are planning Formica Boomerang countertop in aqua for your kitchen renovation, you’d better order now. Alas, if you were planning the skylark (light blue) or coral, it’s already too late. Following up on a reader tip, I checked in with Formica, which replied: Formica Skylark blue and Coral Boomerang were discontinued last month. Aqua Boomerang is scheduled for deletion in January. After January 2011, Charcoal Boomerang will be the only remaining Boomerang pattern. Formica further explained that discontinuing a line is almost always based on sales volume. The discontinued Boomerang patterns, although well known and loved, were not keeping up with sales expectations. On a side note, Formica said, a pattern is always available for at least four years. The Charcoal Boomerang has been identified as the best seller, so it is still being produced. Boo hiss, I am a sore loser, in this round, to the colorless colors of the Greige Nation.
Readers, note that I bet, as we speak, product manufacturers like Bars & Booths are stockpiling the Formica Boomerang in the aqua and blue colorways. So the good news is that these colors likely will remain available for some time. The bad news, though, is that these places charge $400 a sheet — compared to the $75 price tag for this laminate currently at big box stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards.
I might even stock up on some spare sheets in case there is ever an Unfortunate Incident involving my aqua boomerang countertops.
Get while the gettin’ is good…
Russell says
I placed my order for one 4×8 and one 3×12 sheet of skylark boomerang. My kitchen has its original 1956 Coral Skylark (boomerang) counter tops and backsplash, but the counters are damaged in a few locations. My plan is to eventually go with a white manufactured quartz counter top and switch out the coral backsplash for the skylark. When I bought the place I found a few extra pieces of the coral left over in a closet. They have these interesting Formica stamps on them. Apparently they were put on the laminate to let you know that you were buying “genuine” Formica. It says to wash them off with soap and water after installation. Must send you pic Pam. Happy Friday
Heather says
Yikes! I don’t check this wonderful website for a couple of days and this is what happens?! I ran out to Lowe’s today and ordered the Skylark & Coral Boomerang in 5×12 sheets because we want to remodel…someday. While I was there, the Lowe’s associate called the Formica distributor and learned that Virrvarr was also discontinued…??! We just remodeled our master bath with the white Virrvarr, but wanted to update another bath, so yea, I ordered a sheet of that too. Does anyone know if the Lowe’s guy was correct with his Virrvarr info?
Thanks for a great site!
Clare says
We just moved into a house that comes with yellow boomerang countertops in the kitchen–yellow with aqua design. They’re sort of growing on me, but sections are damaged. Doesn’t look like yellow’s an option anymore…Is that the case? I’m new to this mid mod community.
Kate says
I just ordered our Charcoal Boomerang counter tops for our laundry room yesterday. I love, love, love the other colors, but the charcoal won out since the walls are a lovely sky blue and the cabinets might end up a nice shade of green (my husband doesn’t know that yet). So bummed these are being discontinued!!
Cynthia says
Okay, may I just ask for a little collective Retro Renovation mojo, prayer, chant, or whatever moves you that my Coral Boomerang countertop actually arrives? The latest we hear is that it was “backordered” and is now being flown in from California (we are in Denver). We are among 7-8 other customers here who are also waiting on the same thing. Supposedly the shipment will arrive on Friday and we should see it next week sometime.
Thank you for your positive vibes…I greatly appreciate them! And I SO appreciate having a place to express this, because anyone in real life that I mentioned this to, with the exception of my husband, would probably think I was totally crazy. Thanks, Pam, and all of you…just for being you…
One final thought: if there’s this mad scramble to get it now that everyone has learned it is being discontinued…should Formica really have discontinued it? Hmmmm….
Natalie @ Chadwell Chronicles says
Ahhhhhhh!!!!! *fingers crossed* I am in TX and I wonder if we use the same distribution center for these. Keep us updated when they come in!
Gosh, this makes me nervous for my counters for my whole kitchen. I hope I caught it in time.
Vintigchik says
Personally I just think it’s because of the economy. Maybe once things pick up again, they’ll bring it back.
MrsErinD says
awww crud! I guess we better get some soon, we were going to do our table top and counters. That’s the only one I like, and it’s gotta be aqua.
Thanks for letting us know Pam!
Sabrina says
On another note, I can’t find the new Dogbone pattern from Formica on the US site… only on the UK site, after doing a Google search. Any idea how to find it here?
pam kueber says
Sabrina, the link is at the bottom of my story about Formica’s new dogbone laminate: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/09/10/1-new-retro-modern-style-countertop-laminates-from-formica/
sabrina says
Thanks! I missed that somehow. Just ordered my sample… and an aqua boomerang sample just for god measure.
Sabrina says
This is such a shame. Who would want laminate that looks like granite, or wood? If I wanted granite, I’d want granite, not faux-granite laminate. And there will be real wood butcher block in the new kitchen, not faux-wood laminate. But there WILL be laminate that looks like laminate– graphic, and/or with real colors.
Vintigchik says
There were wood looking formica countertops back in the 60’s. One of my homes had them. They looked like strips of wood running horizontally.
Vintigchik says
Yeah, like butcher clock. Couldn’t think of the name. If you want a certain look but can’t afford it, laminate is a cheaper solution for some.
Ellen says
We redid our counters with the coral a while back. What a shame that it’s being discontinued. But I remember when we ordered it at Lowe’s and it finally came in – I was so happy to see it I was practically jumping up and down, but the younger people who worked there just looked at me like I was nuts. I’m sure they all want granite countertops.
Cynthia says
Ellen…I get similar responses from some of the workers who have been doing the work on our addition/remodel. (We are adding a master bedroom/bath and office, as well as reconfiguring some existing space in our 1958 tri-level.) We used salvage medicine cabinets, vanities, sinks, tub, lights, interior doors, and stone window sills — mostly from houses around here that were built in the 40s and 50s and were being torn down or gutted and completely redone inside. Our intention (besides trying to be at least a little “green” with this project) is to make the new part of the house look like it has always been here. The workers are a bit astonished, and I have heard them grumble a few times when they didn’t know I could overhear — I’m sure it is much easier for them to install whatever cheapie components you can get at Home Depot. But we are loving the look (and history!) our old/new house… 😉
Ellen says
It sounds really nice!
Chris says
I’m laughing remembering our addition construction. Our house was built in 1934 — we tried to make the addition look as if it were original to the house. Custom matching moldings and woodwork — which added to the cost, but really did the trick!
When we got to the bathroom, everyone was astounded that we refused the free “upgrade” to the bathtub. We chose something very simple and basic — that looked most like the period. The contractor felt sorry for us and thought we couldn’t afford a “good” bathtub!!!!!! It was so funny, trying to explain that yes, we really, truly did want the boring bathroom.
Funny!
John Hedge says
I just redid my kitchen with Charcoal. Hope they never discontinue that! I love it too!
Elizabeth Mary says
John,
Me too. Love my charcoal boomerang counters. I like the weight that the darker color gives to the counter, and it goes well with the silver grey painted cupboards I inherited with this house. I find the effect very calming and a huge improvement over the sickly green faux marble formica that was here before. Now I actually like being in the kitchen. And, I don’t at all consider it a substitute for granite — would NEVER want granite.
JefferyK says
Oh, I love the charcoal boomerang Formica, too. Bought a dinette table made to order a few years back, and that was my choice for the top.