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.
Jennifer says
I ordered 6 samples the day this post came out and received them 2 days later! They are definitely more “nod to linen” than the linen we are used to seeing. The colors are nice and vibrant. These will add another great option to those of us that want actual color in our kitchens.
Judy H. says
That Buttercream is what I have been LONGING for! I must have it! These laminates are the best!
ineffablespace says
On tables the finished edge was often the router-polished edge over exposed plywood .
With regard to a material looking vintage, the right color is often as big a component as pattern. A red countertop in quartz or something as exotic as Pyrolave could look completely at home in a vintage kitchen because of the color.
I’ve seen the rare mid century countertop in granite, but definitely in Modern MCM kitchens (architect-y vs. MCModest ) and usually very quiet headstone or sheathing colors since it came from those sources.
And people did stainless steel too. Appliances and counters. It’s not cheap, but if you are already looking at quartz soapstone or higher level granites it is in the same price range.
jone says
SO EXCITED to see the Retro Renovation stuff! Congratulations this sounds like a match made in heaven!! Way to go!!!
Lauren says
Unfortunately, these are 6 months too late for our kitchen remodel. One of those bright blues would be perfect with our wood cabinets!! I really love the look of the linens, but wanted a bright color, preferably blue. We could never find a laminate we liked and ended up stumbling on ColorQuartz “fashion blue.” http://www.colorquartzstone.com/files/11-1007-382.html
In the end we love it, especially the glass sparkles (it is crushed glass in resin). It may not have been available in the 50’s but I think it would have been popular if it was.
pam kueber says
Wow, what a pretty color!!
Joe Felice says
There are lots of colors and patterns that have the retro look, without having been actually used back then.
Heidi E. says
I agree with “would have been popular”. It’s pretty much a form of terrazzo, which was used for high-end flooring ( it’s in every airport I’ve ever been to) and maybe rare countertops in the 50s and 60s. I love that blue, too. A convenience store near me has the red, incidentally.
Trudi says
Congratulations on your Wilsonart collection! I love all these beautiful new laminates! I have a general laminate question I hope you or one of your many knowledgeable readers can answer. If I want a tabletop for a diy kitchen table or island made with one of these lovelies how do I go about it? Thanks for an answer!
pam kueber says
Hi Trudy,
You will need to find someone locally, or try a company like Heffron’s A Moment in Time Retro Design [disclosure: An advertiser on the blog]. Specialty companies like them will likely be knowledgeable, as well, about where to get metal trim, if you want that, too.
Tiffany Phares says
Ooh those darker blues are gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing the new boomerang, but this is a great choice for us too!
Karen Klinedinst says
Love the Chili Powder! Can’t wait to incorporate it in our kitchen renovation project next year.
Michele says
I designed a kitchen for my friend back in 1987 and used the “Wheat” Linen framed by golden oak bezel doors upper and lower plus a refrigerator panel. It still looks fabulous!!! Your colors are so kool. Wish I had a project to use them again soon!
Allison says
Frankly, I’m liking these more than the boomerang patterns; I think from a distance the small patterned boomerangs are going to look very different from the close-ups. In a previous house we had the original pink and gray boomerang/rubberband on white and from a distance it read beige.
But, samples ordered of all of them!
pam kueber says
Tune in on Tuesday to see what we did with our new boomerang laminate colorways with Wilsonart!
Joe Felice says
All patterns look different on the chip and close-up than they do on the actual surface.