We now have examples from two readers who installed vintage style red laminate kitchen countertops — using two different laminates. Above: Bonnie used Arborite Red Xabia (now discontinued) laminate edged with aluminum trim from Eagle Mouldings. Trim pieces included (1) Face nosing 13/16″ (with holes drilled) A-274; (2) Cove E98 MFA for 1/16″ material to join counter and backsplash, and (3) J-caps 1/4″ E401 BA MFA for top of the backsplash (laminate on 3/16″ plywood).
Meanwhile, Susan used red cracked ice laminate from Bars & Booths (see this story on how to get samples, before you buy, directly from Wilsonart, which makes this laminate) along with aluminum edging purchased from the same company. Pros and cons of the two approaches, to the best of my knowledge:
- Bonnie’s Arborite Red Xabia is a “stock” color from Arborite, so you should be able to order it easily and relatively inexpensively from any big box store. The Red Xabia has the right vintage-red color… and a bit of texture… so you certainly get the correct vintage vibe. See more of Bonnie’s 1950s kitchen update here.
- Susan’s cracked ice (I also call this crackle ice) is a specialty laminate and more expensive. It does have the cracked ice effect a lot of folks want. See more of Susan’s project here.
- Either way, I’d advise, though, to order samples before you choose — as large as you can get them. For example, the cracked ice laminate that I saw some years ago had too much pixelation in the digital printing for my tastes.