I built a new vanity for my guest bathroom about about three months ago, but we held the story, because lookie: I was able to use one of our seven new Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® boomerang laminates — the delicious “Retro Renovation® Delightful Jade” design. By the time I got going with this project, the colorway was locked in, so Wilsonart printed a sheet for me [disclosure: they provided it no charge as part of our collaboration]. I love all the colors in our boomerang laminate collection, but ‘Delightful Jade’ is one of my favorites, so I’m super excited that I found a place to use it in my home.
The color coordinates nicely with my circa-1962 original American Standard green bathtub and similar green wall tile accents.
Pam and I think this color also will look great in kitchens and baths stretching back to the 1940s.
The verdict — I absolutely love it. Every guest I have had over to the house since I finished renovating the bathroom has remarked about how much they like the countertop — whether they are into retro decor or not. Plus, how many people can say they not only fabricated their bathroom countertop, but also helped to create the colorway?!
More info on all the work I did in this bathroom yet to come. In the wake of yesterday’s big huzzah, we wanted to show this new laminate off right away!
Disclosure: I want readers to know: I do not make money if you buy this laminate; “the deal” that I have with Wilsonart includes other elements of consideration. For example, on Feb. 1 they will launch an advertisement on the blog, for which Retro Renovation is compensated. So, I do not have any incremental financial reason to promote the laminates in this collection over other options — see all our research on countertop options to find the product that’s right for you! – Publisher Pam.
Mike McKeen says
Boomerangs are ‘nice’, but I LOVE the Tesseract patterns by Lab Designs!
Thank you for featuring them previously
Mike
http://www.labdesignlaminate.com/apple-tesseract—-pv169.html
pam kueber says
Yes, we’ve featured Lab Designs designs on the blog – https://retrorenovation.com/search-results/?q=%22Lab%20Designs%22
Dana Day says
After years of dreaming about it, I just replaced my countertops with Wilsonart Retro Domino in December. Love it, but the Delightful Jade is gorgeous!
I had it fabricated as a special order through my local Lowe’s – it took a few phone calls on my part to the Wilsonart rep to convince the fabricator that he really could get that pattern, but it was completely worth the hassle.
Make sure you order the big 8×10 samples…
Rob says
How does one acquire the Boomerang laminate product? Is there a minimum purchase?
I have a bathroom project just screaming for this upgrade!
Rob
pam kueber says
See this story for the links to where to get samples.
To order laminate, go through a specialized retailer like Heffron’s (Disclosure: an advertiser on this blog) or even a Big Box store. For all laminate options on the market see our story (which now needs to be updated): https://retrorenovation.com/2013/01/24/24-colors-of-boomerang-laminate-for-kitchen-counter-tops-formica-boomerang-but-much-much-more/
Cindy says
I have 1959 kitchen counters that are rounded on the peninsula end, with the little shelves inside (mine missing though). Can Wilsonart laminate be used on rounded edges? I would think I’d need a professional to install that, for sure, if it’s do-able. Are there pix anywhere online, or will there be Monday, for a curved surface? My house is too new to use the metal edging, so I think I’d be doing it the way it’s done in this bathroom example. What’s that called?
pam kueber says
Laminate typically can be used on countertop edges — the laminate is pliable, you just glue it on….
Samples should start becoming available Monday, Feb. 1!
Joe Felice says
Delightful Jade appears to be almost identical to the now-discontinued Formica Aqua Boomerang, which is what I used in Joe’s Diner.
I have always wanted to go to the Bath and Kitchen Show. For some reason, I am into all things bath and kitchen, and not just those that are retro.
pam kueber says
Yes, the show was fun, even if the vast majority of the products were not retro. I think that the reason that kitchens and bathrooms are so fascinating is that they must be packed with so much functionality – often, in small spaces.
Re the patterns: The Wilsonart pattern is unique – there are three layers of biomorphic characters — the kidney-shaped boomerang on top, a loose figure eight in the middle and a rounded rectangle as the bottom layer. Working with Wilsonart and this existing pattern in their reportoire, we played with the colors to get the overall tone-on-tone effect we were going for.
Kari says
Where did you find the minty green tiles for this bathroom?
Kate says
The tiles are original to the house from 1962.
pam kueber says
Kari, you can still get minty tiles from B&W. See: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
Paul - CT says
I’m very happy to see the ‘Laminate Counter Revolution’ is picking up speed and soon granite and quartz will be passé.
Question: will their be a matching edging product for these patterns or is it just available in flat sheets?
Thanks
Linda says
Love!!!!!!
Robyn says
I LOVE this for my 1955 Boles Aero Vintage Trailer! We began renovation in 2015 and we are ALMOST FINISHED. But we need new countertops! I was thinking about butcher block counters but this material is absolutely perfect! I may even redo shower and table to match. Although they are in “ok” condition, they are different patterns–changing them all out would tie everything together <3
pam kueber says
Woot! Samples should be ready Feb. 1. I’ll do a story as soon as they are available! Yes: I think the vintage trailer and camper market will love these!
Alan says
The Formica Co. should have thought long and hard about their decision to stop making their boomerangs. This is going to be popular again.
Joe Felice says
All things mid-century are wildly popular today! So-much so that it’s becoming difficult to make them look retro!
Reader Deb says
Think you could use this to line shelves with without gluing it down? Or with some kind of adhesive that wouldn’t harm steel cabinets? I recently purchased a set of Genevas that look like they just came out of the box. Since they don’t need repainting, I thought I could splurge on something to protect the shelves.
pam kueber says
I think that if you don’t adhere laminate, it will warp. You could try repositionable spray adhesive though…. Another potential issue: I have received the equivalent of several wicked “paper cuts” during this project; if you don’t edge the laminate, you risk roughing up against cut kraft-paper….
I think that back in the day, folks used vinyl sheet flooring for inside their cabinets (rather than laminates). I have some in the bottom of my vintage Geneva pantry cabinets — original!!
Reader Deb says
Just walked by the fridge and had an idea. After I get some samples on Feb 1, I’m going to try sticking some adhesive magnet paper to the underside of the edges and see how that works.
pam kueber says
Wilsonart also has a feature called “Recover” — for $1 per square foot, they will add peel-and-stick adhesive. We will be writing about this at some point! Sounds kinda permanent to me….
Some fridges and dishwashers have metal edging to take an insert! Another idea!