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…
Brian Hosmer says
I’m new to this site so please excuse if I’ve passed over answers to this question. But I’m looking for information and materials for resurfacing my formica countertops. Is it a difficult job (I’m fairly handy but haven’t undertaken this). And, where would I find sheets of Formica. I’m looking for mint or aqua.
pam kueber says
Hi Brian, and welcome. This site doesn’t include DIY info per se, although we get into that occassionally. See my post today — https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/18/12-authentic-mid-century-kitchen-remodeling-products-still-made-today/ — which includes a reference/update on laminates, including where to get stockpiled Formica boomerang laminate in aqua and also some Wilsonart custom designed (which you may also be able to get elsewhere). You can see all my laminate stories in the categoery Kitchens/Countertops. It should not be too hard for you to find solids (I’d look at Arpa, first) but patterns are harder. Good luck. Comment again if you get stuck – I watch all the comments.
Brian says
Thanks, Pam. I see what I can find out. This was very helpful.
Hugh says
When I bought house three years ago, I picked out the Coral for the kitchen countertops first, then planed rest of room around it. Most people believe me if I tell them that it must date to 1955 when house built.
Gingertom says
You guys had Aqua and Coral?
In Australia I could only find the white or charcoal which got discontinued a year before I had my kitchen done which was 7 years ago.
Grama Robin says
We have a 1948 Greyhound bus that was turned into an RV in 1959, which we’re restoring (and filling up with fun stuff!). I’m glad the formica in the kitchen and bathroom and on two dinettes is ok, because it’s white with pink and grey boomerangs, which I couldn’t find anywhere! I wanted to cover a small coffee table in the lounge area, but I’m going with wood (there’s lots of shellaced wood inside the bus) with formica edging I found online. And the cool old table legs you can still get at the hardware store! How about linoleum squares (which you can’t get at Home Depot anymore, either) on the floor to go witht he coral formica?
Cheryl says
I’m pretty new to this but absolutely love the mid-century homes and live in a 1947 home with Formica countertops. I had hoped to replace these in a couple of years but since the boomerang pattern is being discontinued I guess I should go ahead and order it. Can anyone give me info and/or website that would simply explain what is involved in this process so I can figure out just what I should order? Thanks so much!
Love this site, Pam!
pam kueber says
Cheryl, talk to your big box hardware store or a countertop company…
Cynthia says
Well, thankfully my Coral Boomerang bathroom countertop was installed today! I am doing cartwheels…it looks great. And now I can sleep at night again…
chris says
Cynthia,
I’m wondering what kind of floor you have to go with the coral boomerang? I can’t figure it out. Thanks
Vintigchik says
I’m bummed too as I was going touse the aqua. I really don’t have the money right now, so I’m trying to decide to just credit card it or go with the gray. Ugg.
Matt says
We planned to do our bathroom vanity with the VirrVarr white. Just got off the phone with our local (Indianapolis) Home Depot, Menards and Lowes. All 3 stores said that they couldn’t order it. Apparently they Formica stopped offering it to them as of 3 weeks ago.
AlbertaGal says
Home Depot phoned me yesterday to say it was back-ordered and would take a few weeks to come in. I’m hoping they can fill my order. I don’t want to have to start the process of deciding on counters again, plus I only budgeted for laminate and not something more expensive.
Matt says
I took a chance and called a home depot in northwest indiana/chicago area and the guy I spoke to said that it looks like they couldn’t get it according to their system, but that he would put in a call to their supplier to see if there’s a chance. The supplier called Formica and was told that you could still order it. We’re going to have a relative in the area go by there and place the order for us.
We have been working on the house from one end to the other and the bathroom we want to use this in is at the other end of the house. I was really bummed that we might not be able to get it since the ideas we had centered around this pattern!
Menards in NW Indiana and Lowes both said they couldn’t order it. But, I bet they didn’t actually call their supplier. Really happy that the guy at Home Depot went the extra step and found out for me.
AlbertaGal says
I was in Home Depot this weekend ordering my bathroom vanity counter. We are using VirrVarr White, which when I had picked up a sample a month ago was available but when I went back had been taken down from the sample wall. A bit of searching and they found that the VirrVarr patterns are no longer available if you want to have the counters made by Home Depot, but is still available to order in sheets. But after reading this I wonder if it will be discontinued too. I think I will go back and order what I need for the kitchen today.
chris says
Our coral boomerang countertops were just delivered. We ordered through Home Depot, and they did take two weeks longer than promised. They look great, but I’m having a hard time picking out a floor to go with them.