In the sea of low-chroma, grieged-out options that has dominated the laminate landscape for the past several years, a new tide of colorful change may be washing in. Wilsonart — the same company that has been reissuing classic designs like “Daisy”, issuing new retro style laminates like “Betty” and “Endora”, and yes, collaborating with us (woot!) to create seven new boomerang laminate colorways — also has recently released the “Spectrum” collection. Spectrum — the newest addition to Wilsonart’s VDL (Virtual Design Library) is made up of a rainbow of 25 different tone-on-tone colors with a pleasing crossweave texture, evocative the vintage linen laminates we love so much. While we’d call these colors “on trend” — retro-modern rather than tuned to actual 50s colors, for example — Wilsonart gets our props for color color color — in tone-on-tone! Give it to us! Give us more!
From the news release:
Wilsonart Introduces Spectrum to Virtual Design Library
Addition fulfills need for unlimited colors supported by unparalleled customer service.
Designers looking for dynamic, fashionable colors can now look to the Wilsonart design team and the entirely new and completely customizable category of color-carrying laminate designs, Spectrum. Spectrum launches as the latest addition to the Wilsonart® Laminate Virtual Design Library (VDL), a unique online resource for laminate design.
“Designers are always seeking out more color options with added dimension and visual interest,” said Andrea Flint, designer at Wilsonart. “Spectrum was designed specifically to meet this need, pairing subtle, layered design with an unlimited range of colors that also meet the standard color matching systems.”
Spectrum premiers with the Crossweave series – 25 curated colors in a cross-directional design with a woven feel. The dazzling array of colors in the Crossweave series was taken directly from emerging trends translated into fresh, current and fashionable hues. Think updated pinks and corals, beautiful blues and modern greens and yellows, as well as subdued neutrals. “We saw evidence of this at NeoCon 2015. VDL gave us a way to bring them to market quickly, allowing us to offer designers emerging and trending color pallets now.” said Flint.
Spectrum revolves around tone-on-tone patterns that can be specified in nearly any color, to match an existing color standard. Each series of Spectrum designs – like Crossweave – is offered in a “starter set” of curated color options designed to reflect emerging trends.
Want to customize a Spectrum color that’s all you? You can easily customize any Spectrum design to match most solid color standards: paint, fabric, and more. Designers seeking a specific color should contact their local Wilsonart Sales Rep or use our online form to quickly and easily create your personal Spectrum color.
Crossweave colors, along with the current 200 designs in the Virtual Design Library, can be turned around from factory to fabricator in as little as two weeks, speeding up the delivery process and allowing specifiers to bring their visions to life quickly and in a uniquely personal way.
25 ready-to-order colors
We love having these new colorful options — many of which could work nicely in vintage and retro kitchens and bathrooms.
Want to get your hands on some samples?
- You can order samples of Wilsonart Spectrum through their website.
Buying these designs:
- Order via countertop fabricators, online specialty places like Heffron’s A Moment in Time Retro Design (disclosure: an advertiser on this blog), or even try big box stores. Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library is comprised of print- and laminate-to-order laminates (as opposed to “stock” laminates that are mass produced using large rolls of pre-printed papers). Because these are low-volume, specialty laminates, they cost more. As a matter of comparison, at Heffron’s a 4′ x 8′ sheet of boomerang laminate sells for $221 plus shipping. A stock laminate ordered in the same size from a big box store looks like it will set you back about $59, free delivery.
Elizabeth says
oh my gosh I love this! The 1950s All Electric House in Johnson County KS has this type of laminate in red in it’s kitchen. I’ve been dying to get this! So excited!!!!
Angela says
I love that place!
Tom says
Hard for me to get excited until I see some serious designs brought back like gold flecks!
Please at least bring back some really cool vintage designs if you want to get people truly excited.
Creating new designs that resemble vintage designs doesn’t cut it but it’s a start.
pam kueber says
Hey see our story from yesterday: https://retrorenovation.com/2016/01/12/boomerang-laminates-retro-renovation/
And be nice, they need to sell first and foremost to the large, mainstream market! I understand that!
Tom says
I don’t think the mainstream residential market is looking for laminates I think people with mid-century modern homes etc are the ones who will purchase this stuff so it should be marketed to them accordingly. Read the comments everyone wants flecks so why not introduce the flecks if that’s what customers are asking for?
I would buy the fleck if it comes out and who knows maybe I will fall in love with one of your new designs and buy that instead 🙂
pam kueber says
We are having dinner with Wilsonart and spending a lot of time with them in Las Vegas. I will have an “on the record” conversation with them about this question and report back.
Tom says
I have faith in you! You’re the queen of retro!
Have fun in Las Vegas.
Lauryn says
The kitchen in my parents’ home had countertops at one point that looked just like these: a rich, red linen-y laminate. It may not be what you are looking for, but it IS an authentic look from the mid-century: http://www.oldhouseonline.com/counter-points/
pam kueber says
We’ve done several stories on how to get the retro red look….
Jennifer says
This cant come soon enough! I have been dragging my feet trying to pick new countertops. Its been a challenge finding what I want, where I live. I love linen, its what I have now, but its worn out and needs replaced. I am so excited
Kristen says
I love these!!!!! I’m trying to think of how I could use them in my house even though I don’t have any counters to do. *just swooning over the colors in LINEN design, one of my favorites!*
Tracy says
Backsplash?
Patti Cannan says
Wouldn’t it be cool to cut it up in squares and basket weave it on a floor?! Or make it a feature over a fireplace? The possibilities are endless!
Nancy says
I’m so happy! Will I be the only one using it to line the inside of my cabinets, just so I can use all the colors?
Penne says
I’m going to look at applying “butter squash” to a dining room table. I purchased the table and six chairs at a garage sale. Love the chairs and the table legs, but the table top is faded wood-tone laminate-dull. I’m not against using a table cloth, but really don’t want to cover the table all the time. Thanks for the great ideas.
Robin, NV says
Those blues are just lovely. And Butter Squash – yum!
Marcia says
Just went to the Wilsonart site to order a sample of this stuff and saw they already have a placeholder for the Retro Renovation collection! Do you have an estimate on the cost of a 5 x 12′ sheet of the print-to-order patterns?
pam kueber says
Hi Marcia, you can check with a company like Heffrons A Moment in Time Retro Design (disclosure: an advertiser) on pricing. heffrons.com. It’s my understanding that you may also be able to get his laminate directly via special order from your big box store, so you could also check with them.
Steve H says
So pretty! Could we actually be entering a new era of color? Is the Berlin Wall of Griege actually coming down?
Barbara says
Jeez, I hope so!
I could dance on that crumbling wall!!!