Photos hot off the presses!
Need new countertops for your midcentury kitchen or bathroom? If so, you might want to hang on until summer, when Wilsonart will introduce two new abstract designs — “Betty” and “Endora” — for sale. Hmmm. With their colorways, scale, and well-designed retro pattern, Wilsonart Betty and Wilsonart Endora skyrocket to the top of my list of laminates to consider for countertops in a midcentury modern or vintage-style home. Also good news: These will be standard residential laminates — so the price should be very affordable.
- Update midyear: Readers tipped us that you can now buy these direct from Home Depot including ordering online, just $60 a sheet!
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Wilsonart says these will be available nationwide “this summer.”
Wilsonart’s 4972-38 Betty laminate:
Wilsonart says:
Betty is a small to medium scaled abstract pattern overlapping box and square in retro color blend of teal and orange. The name is indicative of the mid-century names to connect to a moment in time when women named Betty and Endora would work in their very modern kitchens. This pattern reflects the quirky optimistic quality that reflects that period in time.
From their vignette shown at the recent KBIS show, it looks like the so-called “teal” in this pattern will harmonize quite nicely with aqua cabinetry or accessories. The field looks to be grey (golly, I’d prefer an off white) — but I certainly understand the choice considering the continuing popularity of gray in the contemporary mass market today.
We’ve asked to see samples as soon as we can and will report back as soon as we have them in hand.
Wilsonart’s 4973-38 Endora retro design laminate
So… will the pinks in “Endora” go with all the Mamie Pink tile in millions or American bathrooms?We can’t wait to get a look-see and let you know.
Endora is a small to medium scaled abstract pattern overlapping box and square in retro color of pink and gold. The name is indicative of the mid-century names to connect to a moment in time when women named Betty and Endora would work in their very modern kitchens. This pattern reflects the quirky optimistic quality that reflects that period in time.
Formica’s Nassau pattern from the 1960s:
The new Wilsonart designs remind me of Formica’s Nassau design, shown above. According to materials expert and historian Grace Jeffers, this pattern introduced in 1955, then removed from the market in 1957, because it did not sell well.
Again, my view on the best laminate designs for a retro kitchen: Tone-on-tone, multidirectional, small-to-medium abstract patterns in colorways that will harmonize with our “real color” interiors. The new Wilsonart Endora and Betty designs look to be a great step in that direction.
Super mega thanks to Robert of ElectraChime for sending me the box of Formica paper samples that the three samples of Formica Nassau shown above came from. What a generous contribution to my archives! xoxo
The complete new “Stylistic History” collection coming from Wilsonart
There are additional patterns in the Stylistic History collection that includes Endora and Betty. The other designs in the collection are moving to the Residential line from the Contract (Commercial) line or another country in the Wilsonart family:
Stylistic History
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Personal styles evolve and change. These 8 fresh new patterns are an exciting nod to our collective stylistic history. Baby boomers are searching for those things that feel like simpler, more innocent days, while the millennials incorporate optimism and originality. Fun patterns, unusual textures and bold colors represent this direction, without being bogged down in the past. Think individuality, difference and distinction.
These easygoing, aspirational lifestyles are centered on both the meandering road and the techno highway. Plastic laminate was originally used for its low cost versatility and has grown up to be the perfect material for these unique forms of self-expression.
These bold and whimsical new colors and patterns offer an updated nod to historic and vintage patterns while being firmly rooted in the present. There would be no denying that these new patterns are anything but.
4942-38 Crisp Linen (Standard)
A neutral background with crisp white warp and weft “threads”. Reminiscent of a woven fabric, it has evolved into a compact small pattern that provides texture and highlights. Crisp Linen is a crossover from the contract line.
4943-38 Classic Linen (Standard)
A taupe background with lighter taupe warp and weft “threads”. Reminiscent of a woven fabric, it has evolved into a compact small pattern that provides texture and highlights. Classic Linen is a crossover from the contract line.
4944-38 Casual Linen (Standard)
A brown background with lighter brown warp and weft “threads”. Reminiscent of a woven fabric, it has evolved into a compact small pattern that provides texture and highlights. Casual Linen is a crossover from the contract line.
4962-38 Gesso Tracery (Standard)
The quatrefoil is a conventionalized representation of a flower with four petals or of a leaf with four leaflets. The small scale quatrefoil motif is repeated and fades in and out and is rendered in a warm white with hints of grey. Gesso Tracery is a crossover from the contract line.
4973-38 Endora (Standard)
Endora is a small to medium scaled abstract pattern overlapping box and square in retro color of pink and gold. The name is indicative of the mid-century names to connect to a moment in time when women named Betty and Endora would work in their very modern kitchens. This pattern reflects the quirky optimistic quality that reflects that period in time.
D502-60 Ocean Matte Finish (Standard)
The colors in the mid-century were a reaction that went against what was there before which was very somber, subtler, quieter colors. Colors in the ’50s and ’60s became brighter and stronger — anti-establishment, but optimistic. Colors were mixed in ways they hadn’t been put together before, such as black, turquoise, and red, a clear example of all the rules being thrown out the window.
This color comes from one of our international sister companies. Ocean can be found in Polyrey’s collection as E026 Emeraude, as well as in Shanghai’s and Thailand’s collections as 0028 Emerald Sea.
D501-60 Orange Grove Matte Finish (Standard)
The colors in the mid-century were a reaction that went against what was there before which was very somber, subtler, quieter colors. Colors in the ’50s and ’60s became brighter and stronger — anti-establishment, but optimistic. This dynamic orange perfectly reflects that sentiment.
This color comes from one of our international sister companies. Orange Grove can be found in both Thailand’s and Shanghai’s collections as 0387 Orange.
4972-38 Betty (Standard)
Betty is a small to medium scaled abstract pattern overlapping box and square in retro color blend of teal and orange. The name is indicative of the mid-century names to connect to a moment in time when women named Betty and Endora would work in their very modern kitchens. This pattern reflects the quirky optimistic quality that reflects that period in time.
Joe Felice says
OMG! Ocean and orange grove mixed in a kitchen would be the bomb! The wall paper I’m using in my dining room has these colors in it, and I’m jumping off from there to using those colors for paint on the walls & trim. The booth is Ocean vinyl in Malibu style (white V-back). Pics can be forthcoming if anyone is interested. It will be “Joe’s Diner.” I even have a clock that says “Eat at Joe’s.” (Though nobody ever does.)
Mary Elizabeth says
It sounds lovely, and you should definitely send photos to Pam and Kate when it is done.
As for your lack of dinner companions, let us know your address, and we’ll be over next Saturday. 🙂
Kristine C. says
We have the Bronze Nassau in our kitchen. I can see why it wasn’t too popular. I’m not too fond of it either but I love that it is original to the house. It’s been a challenging pattern for decorating but it’s still in beautiful condition. It’s difficult to envision in a small sample how busy the pattern really is in an entire kitchen.
Mary Elizabeth says
Which one is the bronze, the one on the left or the one in the middle? I love the one on the right with a little green. Pam and Kate, do you think you can do a design work-up with that Formica for Kristine? It would be lovely!
Mary Elizabeth says
. . .because I think with the right decorating you could learn to love it. 🙂
pam kueber says
Wallpaper.
Mary Elizabeth says
Pam, that is your answer for everything~! 🙂
kim says
Thanks so much for showing the counter top done in Betty. I have decided this will be my new kitchen counter top!
Patti Cannan says
I ordered my 8×10 free samples from Wilsonart yesterday. Can’t wait to see them in person! Thank you so much for telling us about them 🙂
Nancy says
We are ordering Betty for our 1964 ranch kitchen remodel! Thanks for having brought it to attention. I kept it in mind while planning. WilsonArt sent me samples of Betty and Endora. Endora may find her place in our bath remodel!
pam kueber says
Fabulous! Are they available now? I need to go look!
Rebecca says
Hi Nancy,
How did you get samples? I can’t even find the laminates on the Wilsonart website. Also who did you order it through? Thanks so much for your help.
pam kueber says
Rebecca: You should be able to order via Heffron’s – perhaps they also have samples? Note: They are a longtime advertiser here — http://www.heffrons.com/retro/swatches/laminates.html
Bob says
I am looking to replace my current laminate counter tops and I really like the Betty and Endora patterns,but I cannot find them on the Wilsonart website.
Bob says
Sorry, I just noticed these will not be available until summer. I’m surprised that their website still does not mention them though.
Kristine says
Please send info. when Wilsonart’s 4972-38 Betty Laminate …. will be available!!! Info. on cost !!!
Beth says
Undermounted sink with laminate counters?
pam kueber says
It’s a special kind of sink invented recently.
I much prefer Kohler Delafield with hudee, the old classic kind….https://retrorenovation.com/2010/11/11/where-to-buy-metal-rim-kitchen-sinks-note-kohler-bakersfield-sink-now-discontinued/
But to each their own…
Marcia says
I’m with Pam on the sink issue, but if you like undermount, I found this video that shows how it works with laminate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTl62JGgUEk
Karran Sink Installation – Standard Method
pam kueber says
Yeah, I got some press releases when the sink came out. I can’t get my head around the look, so I took a pass at spotlighting it. I recall some readers have used it, though…
toni says
There is a special under ring that’s made to undermount a farmhouse sink. I can look for it if you need it. Another way is to use scrap Corian around the sink area and attach the Formica to that. My carpenter used Formica on the top, bottom and inside edge of the sink cut out. It’s worked fine since 2009. I know, I shouldn’t have said that!
Melissa says
It hasn’t been the best week but this sure cheers me up! We are going to make our 1958 kitchen awesome again and I think this is just the counter top look I want 😀 Thank you for the news!
mike says
Pam, Formica or Wilsonart needs to hire you as a design consultant!
Nobody “GETS” retro as well as you do. If they would stop wasting time and money on artists who clearly weren’t around back in the day, then they could open the archives and give us back our sparkles, cracked ice, and other GENUINE patterns.
pam kueber says
Hi Mike, I’m trying! When I wrote the story about Wilsonart’s reproduction retro laminates Compre and Daisy
, I noted the following disclosure: Earlier this year [2014] I met with Wilsonart to discuss vintage laminates and laminates available today for midcentury style kitchens and bathrooms and ways we might be able to work together to get more vintage-style designs and colorways back on the market. While I was not involved specifically in the rollout of the Compre and Daisy designs shown, I saw the original document prints, provided a few suggestions, and encouraged this effort. I continue to work with Wilsonart in this area and if any collaborative projects result, will disclose the blog’s involvement.Mike says
That would be the best news ever!