“…Eliminates the final telltale sign of laminate
– the brown line.”
I am a big believer in the idea that the most significant design shifts tend to come from technological breakthroughs. The advance of laminate kitchen countertops — replacing linoleum and wood in most kitchens in the 1950s — came as a result of the very invention of plastic and then, the ability to manufacture it in long thin sheets with colorful designs laminated on to the top layer.
Originally, countertop edges could not be bent or rolled, so that’s why we always see metal edging in early kitchens. Later, around 1957, the countertop industry developed the ability — called thermoforming — to “roll” the edges and the backsplash in one continuous piece, eliminating the need for metal edging and introducing a big shift in the way kitchens looked. Homeowners who didn’t choose rolled edges chose flat edges, and metal edging faded from use.
Now… 2012… we have another advance: Formica this week is introducing new laminate edging technology that allows us to have more intricate “ogee” or “bullnose” edging profiles on our Formica countertops — complete eliminating the tell-tale brown line that comes from a typical 90-degree edge. And, their new “Ideal Edge” — in these two curvy two designs — can go all the way around corners and ends, adapting to any cabinet or turn-the-corner configuration.
Don’t want to take out a second mortgage (if you can get one, ha) to afford granite or marble countertops? Now, get the Ideal Edge… combine it with today’s laminates — which are remarkably realistic… and the bankrupt Joneses next door will have to look twice to see the difference. Note: Wilsonart’s “Cascade” edge, introduced in September, seems pretty similar to the Formica Ideal Edge/Bullnose and like the Formica technology, eliminates the brown line. So I’m not declaring Formica gets all the props for the innovation — they just did a good job catching my eye with this announcement, and with sending lots of great photos pronto.
You know my general aesthetic when it comes to midcentury modern and midcentury modest houses: Granite isn’t *authentic*, and in unpretentious midcentury houses, it seems out of place (to me). But, I certainly like the idea off-white-and-gray Carrara (and if it’s not available, okay, Calacatta) marble — in particular in bathrooms, but also on a section of kitchen countertop, or on all of it, depending on how high falutin’ your house and your style is. The beauty part of faux-marble laminate is that it is going to be (1) way easier to maintain than marble (2) way less expensive and (3) a more environmentally sensitive choice. Carrara marble has been around forever in homes — it’s one of the few things that makes my “timeless design” list. Again: I particularly like the idea for bathrooms. The greyish-off white should go with virtually any pastel bathroom, which will likely also be chock-a-block with chrome and likely, gray grout in the floor tiles. Set in a Kohler hudee-rimmed sink, and you are ready to party like it’s 1959 or 1969 or 1979.
Which laminates and edges do I like best?
- Note, the two Formica laminate designs shown in this story are not Carrara — they are Formica’s Calacatta, which is a larger veined marble, and Formica’s Bianca Luna, which seems to have heavier darker graining. For classic midcentury style, among these two, I’d go for Calacatta with the ogee edge — it’s less honkin’.
- But, my favorite vintage-style-marble-laminate still is Carrara marble laminate — I recently found three companies with this style. Yes, you can get Wilsonart’s “Carrara Santorini” laminate with the new, seamless bullnose edge. But, if you want the seamless ogee edge, you have to go with one of Formica’s choices.
- So… it’s a tradeoff. Get samples. Go see the edges. Agonize and torture DH. As usual.
See more information on Formica’s website here. And, read on for Formica’s complete news release:
Formica Corporation, the inventor of high pressure laminate and the first to pioneer large-scale laminate design, introduces another breakthrough in laminate with IdealEdge™, decorative edges suitable for curved, clipped or 90-degree corner installations. Available in two versatile profiles – Ogee and Bullnose – IdealEdge™ transcends the customary limitations of laminate by eliminating flat edges and brown seams.
“Laminate has benefited from major innovations in the last few years that have revitalized the surfacing material; IdealEdge™ is yet another one of those breakthroughs,” said Brian LaDuke, senior director of marketing at Formica Corporation. “IdealEdge™ profiles are fabricated like a bevel edge, which allows for more installation flexibility, and have the ability to curve and encase all sides of countertops, islands and tables. IdealEdge™ eliminates the final telltale sign of laminate – the brown line.”
Available in hundreds of Formica® Brand Laminate colors and patterns, IdealEdge™ profiles are produced in 12-foot lengths and are customizable to design specifications.
Formica Corporation continues to lead the industry with innovative designs and green building solutions. Formica® Brand Laminate is available with FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certification and is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute under the GREENGUARD Standard for Low-Emitting Products, including the requirements for Children and Schools.
In addition to IdealEdge™, Formica Corporation expands its 180fx® Collection with five new lighter, more neutral options. The patterns feature the premium finish Etchings™, a softly polished finish etched and dappled with highlights from tiny fissures reminiscent of those found in real granite and stone, or Radiance®, a high-gloss finish that is punctuated with texture and features holographic facets that refract and reflect light.
Bill says
Consumer Reports in the Sept 12, 2012 issue gave laminate (laminate in general) as the “Overall” top rated material as far as Stains , Abrasion and Resistance to Heat and Impacts.
No other material was better against impacts, heat, or stains. Only Abrasion got an “Average” rating and in that category, only Quartz, granite, and glass were better.
It also mentioned Formica’s Ideal Edge stone pattern as very real looking.
I am going to be remolding my kitchen counter and bathroom counter and will have to look at this stuff.
Hilary says
This laminate conversation is so timely for me! We have a 1961 ranch/rambler and we in the midst of a major kitchen renovation! We are reusing (after refinishing) the original cabinets, an the original stainless steel counters (!!), but we are adding an island and I need a counter for it. I want to do something period appropriate for the island, but can’t seem to figure out what that would be, that would go well with the stainless counters. The original backsplash was yellow/brown formica (oh, how many times I have wished that Mrs. Hutchison was a teal/pink/any other color than yellow/brown fan – she was ahead of her time in her love for earth tones as we have a yellow bathroom too).
Thanks for the links and discussion on the laminate! I’d love to pick people’s brains on color options, lol.
lesli devito says
we have 58 square feet of kitchen countertop…multiply that x $60-$80…it gets cost prohibitive. My whole day turned around…make it year …today when I realized that I can get a faux marble formica for under $2000 and our 50 year old kitchen can get a face lift AND we can still take a summer vacation. I honestly don’t know how all of these people out there are buying real stone with the economy so bad…It baffles me, and I am just glad that I found a beautiful option, fake or not – who cares…it looks good. seriously in the course of a year…how many people see my kitchen that care???zero.
pam kueber says
Yup. As our Midcentury Modest Manifesto points out:
“…GRANITE countertops? Who needs ‘em, especially when they come with
a home equity loan that stresses our family finances beyond our limits.
What silliness. What Insanity.”
https://retrorenovation.com/mid-century-modest-manifesto/
Peter Nolan says
Formica is making a huge comeback in today’s houses as American’s again focus on living within their means and trying not to go to far in debt to buy the 5000 square foot McMansion. Meatloaf, mac-n-cheese, the Honda Civic, smaller houses and formica countertops say it: sensible. Another mainstay in today’s countertops is stainless steel (like most restaurant kitchens). That gives the higher-end commercial appearance and it’s easy hose the blood and guts off (and into the floor drain) should you have to gut a 70 pound marlin before the neighbors come over on Sunday afternoon.
pam kueber says
Agreed, Peter. You are in the land of Midcentury MODEST, here. See this recent story on installing a stainless steel countertop on your own, Linn did it for just $300. Also, see all my mid mod-appropriate laminate selection in the Kitchens/Countertops category: https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/countertops/
Les says
Thanks for the article. I have a 1975 home with all originals and am looking for less expensive ways to update my bathroom without spending a small fortune as I want to sell it. I have a blue tub and toilet that are in GREAT condition as the original owner was a single gentleman who used the downstairs shower only. I would like to update the vanity and counter top to a stile that would look nice with the tub and toilet. I think this might work!
lisa says
I previously dealt with the “black line problem” by having black formica countertops. Works great — in my old kitchen I had Graphite Nebula by Wilsonart, which looked really nice with our original wood cabinets that we painted white. But I appreciate knowing about these new option anyway. Could come in handy as we attempt to de-90s our current kitchen.
philq says
In my previous life, aka in California, during our remodel/addition we installed a wet bar with cherry cabinets and a 6′ black/green faux marble counter. It was custom made with a full-radius edge along the front – no sharp corner/black seam. Everyone thought it was the real thing. The edge treatment sure made a big difference!
Jill says
Well, this solves MY countertop dilemma. It doesn’t pay to put granite on refaced cabinets, but I hate, hate, hate the brown laminate lline. So thanks, Pam, for passing this along. Now I know what I’m going to get.
Jen says
Wow, this is very cool! Thanks for the tipoff! I have to say that the pattern looks very much like the marble window ledges we had in our old mid-century modest home, and also like what we have in the house we just moved into. Our kitchen is being made over and the countertops are original to the house…this is really nice. (This countertop would have been perfect in our last home, too.)
Also, those pointing out that in the 40s-60s people loved having things that looked like other things are right. Granted, sometimes it didn’t work so well (plastic “wood” “paneling” comes to mind), but that’s no reason to eschew it. Plenty of it was fun, functional, and attractive!
Lisa Coleman says
I agree. It’s a fine line, though. A faux material is just fine…as long as it embraces what it is and doesn’t try to “pull something over on me” (anthropomorphous here….). The real thing or an obvious fake in its full glory. Come to think of it, that’s rather how I like people too! LOL.
Lisa Coleman says
Yet another reason to avoid granite countertops; it looks as they might indeed be literally “dated”. Take a look at today’s NY Times article!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html?pagewanted=all
pam kueber says
Crikey! However — it’s dated 2008….
Lisa Coleman says
As soon as I typed that, I realized it wasn’t today’s NYT…I did receive it today in my email from a friend. Granite is for tombstones…and apparently helpful in getting underneath one!
pam kueber says
I have read recently that trendy folk are now shying away from granite cuz it’s too common. hence: all that marble — big marble — that you’re seeing
Lisa Coleman says
Well thank goodness for that.
What a brown decade it’s been…not even good browns, mind you. I wish people would give up the idea that their entire house must be painted the color brown to “neutralize it” for prospective buyers. In a perfect situation when looking for a home, I’d rather have a good white as something to start from. Same with the tiles. I am browned out. Browner is a downer.
Lauryn says
And yet there was this recent article in the Washington Post: (link broken)
We had the chance to score some free — yes free — granite for our countertops but we turned it down. It was tempting, but granite seemed somewhat ridiculous in a modest 100 square foot kitchen. So no, not every homeowner wants “a piece of the rock”.