I’ve written before about the Ralph Sr. and Sunny Wilson House in Temple, Texas — an amazing showcase of the innovative use of laminate that was built by the head of Wilsonart in the 1950s. The Wilson House is the the first and only home that has ever been named to the National Register of Historic Places specifically because of its innovative use of materials. How ironic, that with the mainstream masses all gaga about granite, our little community is equally crazy about our laminates. Watch this video — historian Grace Jeffers takes us on a tour, and explains the important context for the use. It’s wonderful — and I assure you, you will be lovin’ your laminate more than ever.
Read all our stories about historic mid century homes you can visit here.
Rebecca Prichard says
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Angie says
beautiful!!! I love those coral gold glitter countertops! …among other things
Kate says
I want to live there! LOVE the use of color!
Kersten says
AH! Grace Jeffers is my hero! Gawd! Can you imagine if this would have been destroyed?! I shutter!
I would be, oh so happy, to work in that kitchen each day! Gives me additional inspiration and ideas for our future kitchen redo. Now I want to go there!
pam kueber says
yes, Grace is my hero, too!
MbS says
In the close up of the counter edge detail is visible glitter fleck, which makes me giddy.
Tut says
Good gravy, that’s a cool place. Interestingly, we painted the doors of some CD cabinets I built in a similar blue and yellow like those kitchen cabinets.
Kirsten says
Fantastic. I live just a short drive from Temple, and would love to visit it. My good friend is from Temple, and her father worked for Wilsonart for many, many years. I am passing along the link. Thanks for posting this.
Gavin Hastings says
Amazing.
What I find most interesting is that the owner was head of a national corporation, yet his home was very modest – even for the time. Artful, yet pretty simple.
Kathie says
What a great story and a wonderful project that this woman embarked on – thanks for sharing it with us!
Lisa says
Stunning! Thank you so much for posting this remarkable house.