Wow, does anyone know about countertops like these? Becky recently bought a time capsule and her french provincial kitchen (I’d call it) includes these countertops. Reminds me of these Fritz floor tiles. Anyone work with this back in the day who knows? Kind of, an early-days version of Silestone or the other composite-quartz countertops sold today. I love it!! And that kitchen, too (nix the carpet and get a counter-depth fridge.) Note: These are photos from the walk-through before Becky bought the house. She is talking about gutting — argh! Becky: Live with the house a while, I implore you — I sure bet you can learn to Love this House You’re In!
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73 comments
niaco1 says
I have the same stuff in my kitchen also, and also on the walls. Trying to find more
Rebecca S. Wilson says
Contact me.
Jackie says
We built our house in l968 and put it Luster Rock counters. The have bits of shells and mother of pearl in an almond-colored acrylic They have very few scratches and have kept their beauty for 42 years. I wouldn’t think of putting in new ones. It’s too bad they are no longer available.
Gina Maynard says
Oops. Sorry, just read that you can’t offer things for sale here. I apologize.
pam kueber says
not to worry. i left yours up though because it sounded so rare. would be better, tho, if you put it on Forum, that’s where folks look: https://retrorenovation.com/forums/
Gina Maynard says
I have one in my bathroom. Sink and counter. Brownish color with shell pieces embedded in it. Anyone interested in it can contact me.
Joe Felice says
Don’t gut the kitchen!!!! Replace the light fixture in the nook and the window coverings. Get a vintage kitchen table & chairs, X the carpet, and you’ll be good to go with your lovely retro kitchen! The counter was made of imbedding stones in liquid plastic, then left to harden. Once Americans discovered plastic and how to work with it in the ’50s, our imagination was the limit, and this was one of the things we came up with. I believe this process is still used in some places for bar tops, and yes, it is virtually indestructible. The one problem was that it tended to yellow over time. Also, it cut and scratched easily, but these are just superficial, and probably can be buffed out.
Stephanie M says
My parents have these countertops in their kitchen….they remodeled the kitchen in the 1970’s…I believe it’s called Luster Rock…they get lots of comments on it…some good some bad…..I didn’t like it!! Ha Ha
chris says
It’s definitely Luster Rock, we had it in our house, (just finished remodeling and replaced it with boomerang countertop!). My friends dad was an installer in the 60’s and said the stuff was indestructible, which I can attest to. I did everything to it and it always looked the same. I saved some of it to try to make a bar top for summer entertaining. Mine had more brown chips to it, and my problem was finding wall colors to work with it.
Rhonda Adams says
Our bathroom counter top and half way up the wals are gold Luster Rock. We have a country house in the mountains and think it is a great fit. We would like to add a second sink in the counter top. Did you cut your Luster Rock when you removed it? If yes, what tool did you use. I am concerned it will crack or fracture if you try to cut it.
Thank you!
Rhonda
pam kueber says
I don’t know, Rhonda. Please also know that I advise that whenever you start messing with old materials, you consult with a properly licensed professional to ensure you know what’s in it…
Rebecca S. Wilson says
Hi everybody, thanks for all your input…I Love it! I am sorry to say, though, the countertops are not my style, (sorry Pam)! Sooooo–if anyone is interested in them and the yellow sink. Make me an offer I can’t refuse!!! Or, I will probably make stepping stones and or a cutting board out of them!!! I do LOVE the kitchen and will be putting a new refrigerator on the other side…oh there are more of the counters on the other side of the kitchen. Not sure if I sent a picture of the other side to Pam or not.
I think it looks like ‘headcheese’, too, Priscilla!!
pam kueber says
No buying/selling on the main blog. Becky – you can post the countertops for sale over on the Forum. But, I also recommend craigslist…
Tera says
For the first time EVER I am not too crazy about something posted in this blog. I don’t loathe this counter top but to me it looks like rice and lentils stuck in resin or seeds of some type. The reason it does I think is that was so popular at the time, to stick things in resin and using beans and seeds to make stuff (if you were in montessori school in the 70’s). Still if this were in my home and original to it, I am 99.9% sure I’d live with it.
Alissa says
You’ve just upped the ante. I thought I could re-retro my kitchen with concrete countertops with glass chips set in to create a terrazzo look. Now I have to find someone who still works in resin. Thanks a lot!
Atomic Tucson says
love that counter! I want some. And thanks for the fritztile link…I can’t find the royal-pink one on their site, but don’t worry about it, just sayin’…
pam kueber says
lineups always changing from these manufacturers, Atomic Tucson…. If you luv something you gotta nab it.