On Saturday, I went trolling around for treasures. I stopped at the new Re-Store in Pittsfield. Usual story: I found a light for $10, a 4-switch vintage wallplate for 25 cents, and just as I was about wrap it up, I spotted the real treasure: 80 inches of gold sparkle laminate, kind of hidden under a pile of wall cabinets among a used kitchen cabinet set. Happy dance. It’s in excellent shape, barely needs a cleaning. It’s 20″ deep — perfect for what I have in mind for the window wall in my office remodel. It cost just $8, and it even fit in the car once we put the seats down, no return trip with the Ranger required.
I actually had a run-in with sparkle laminate just an hour earlier. During my troll, I had first stopped at Scott’s on East Street, to see what was new in flooring and tile. Yes, you can see kitchen and bathroom tile and flooring on the internet, but it’s not like seeing the actual product samples in person.
As the very last minute, I wandered back to the kitchen section at Scott’s, for a quick look at the laminate. Crikey, I got really excited when I saw the White Sequin Formica on a ring. DID FORMICA RE-INTRODUCE IT WITHOUT TELLING ME? Alas. No. The kitchen designer said that the ring was old. And she gave it to me. I think it might be from around 1994, there’s a patent or copyright date on one of the chips.
Note, though, my counter top from the ReStore is not Formica White Sequin. I compared the two, and my laminate has additional colors of sparkles. I am going to guess Textolite — because Pittsfield was a GE town and Textolite was made by GE. But who knows.
READ THIS, gold sparkle laminate-wanters:
No, you cannot buy gold sparkle laminate new anywhere from anyone. Not in the western world, as far as I know.
But if you go trolling regularly… and you keep your eyes peeled… you can still find it vintage, maybe.
Na na na na na na. I have a gold sparkle laminate kitchen counter.
P.S. Sparkly dress worthy of sparkly counter top is NOS vintage from an estate sale at a nearby Lenox mansion. It has the original $125 sales tag still hanging from the sleeve (can you see it) — Truly Expensive way back when. I think I paid $5 or so. I am pretty proud of my treasure-hunting skills, these days, can’t ya tell.
Sheryl says
I recently bought a house with a vintage kitchen that is covered in paint, including the counters (Rustoleum countertop paint). The paint started to peel in a spot and it turns out that underneath is an aqua/blue Formica counter with gold flecks.
Do you have any advice for removing the rustoleum without damaging the original counter?
pam kueber says
I will ask Rustoleum — I have good contacts there!
Sheryl says
Thanks! After being inspired by your site and spending all afternoon looking at your posts, I also pulled up a corner of the carpet and discovered a (very yellowed) blue/white/aqua mosaic linoleum too. I am going to have to do before/after pics. Thanks for the inspiration!! 🙂
pam kueber says
Wow, what treasures your house holds!
joe tesh says
can the gold be extracted from textolite with gold flecks
Patrick says
“No, you cannot buy gold sparkle laminate new anywhere from anyone. Not in the western world, as far as I know.”
Does anyone know why this is the case? There seems to be a decent level of demand for this product. You can get laminate in thousands of colors and designs, some companies have or are reintroducing retro designs.. but not the gold sparkle. Is there something about the production process or price? I mean it isn’t real gold. Although if it is this hard to find…
pam kueber says
I may be updating shortly. I have more info on the “why”. And I think I may have found some in the western world. But not in the U.S.
Joe Felice says
This was probably the single, most-popular laminate for counter tops back then. I think we all must have it in one of our houses at some point. But when they started putting sparkles in the acoustic-ciling spray, it got to be a bit much.
Susan Rolfsmeier says
I have a bathroom with gold sparkly laminate walls just like your countertop. I wanted to decorate to complement this, but of course when I look up anything like this, what I find is that people want to get rid of the stuff. Since it reminds me of my childhood kitchen table, and is water resistant, I’m reluctant to change it, even though it looks like almost like an old ship cabin. Any ideas on how to complement the sparkle?
George says
Moved back into the family home which still has the gold sparkle Formica counter and backsplash. Still holding up well even with lots of dinners, parties, coloring Easter eggs, making sauces that stained, and accidently leaving jars with sticky inky price labels on the bottom which would stain the Formica, but luckily could remove the stains. Would never ever trade it for the the overdone, pedestrian and soon to be passe granite. Love the sparkle!
Beth C says
I have a gold sparkle countertop in the bathroom of our 1969 ranch..LOVE it!! When we bought the house, the bathroom had all original features, including white tile with gold accents and white wallpaper with gold starbursts. Sadly, the wallpaper did not make it, 40 years of humidity did it in. But the rest of the sparkles will stay! Enjoy your new find!
pam kueber says
Yay for you, Beth!
Charmaine says
I have a very large turquoise blue with gold sparkle counter top in my main bathroom! I didn’t know this type of counter top was so desired! I find it very retro in my mid-century house!
pam kueber says
yup: lucky you!!!
Charmaine says
It goes beautifully with the gold glitter popcorn ceiling, turquoise tub and sinks, and wall to wall yellow tiles!!!
Goldie7 says
Congratulations Pam! Lucky You! I looooove thee gold sparkle counter top and I looooove your Beautiful dress. You look soooo pretty! Love it.
Hillary says
Oh my goodness! Congratulations! When we moved into our first house there was a single (homemade) cabinet next to the stove that had gold sparkle laminate on the top of it. The rest of the kitchen was steel and it was the only wood piece (plus it was extra-extra-deep) so I am pretty sure the homeowner built it. It was my FAVORITE place to cook. So cheerful, elegant, and practical (when do you get all three of those things at once?). I miss that countertop so much!