In addition to our Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® collection of seven color ways of boomerang laminates, we now calculate four different designs — in 30ish different colorways — of boomerang laminate. I’ve listed all of the known designs on this single page to make it as easy as possible for you to find the boomerang laminate countertop of your dreams — and hooray for all of these wonderful choices!
Video: How I used metal countertop edging in my kitchen
Five designs — lots of colorways — of boomerang laminates available in the U.S. today:
So you want boomerang laminate? Today, there are an astounding 30+ color ways in 4 different designs to choose from. Get ready to dig in to all the options including doing your own comparison shopping.
Formica Skylark Boomerang Countertop Laminate:
Formica boomerang in charcoal – Formica still makes one colorway of its original boomerang design as part of its regular collection. This is the boomerang that started it all — originally called Skylark.
November 2023 update: As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, Formica has introduced a LIMITED EDITION run of its famous Skylark aka boomerang laminate in three retrolicious colors. These are available only via Formica’s Amazon store (affiliate link).
See this story for more information…
Wilsonart boomerang laminate:
Wilsonart Retro boomerangs – High contrast, punchy colors of retro boomerang laminate.
Retro Renovation for Wilsonart boomerang laminate collection:
Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® boomerang collection – Tone-on-tone midcentury appropriate colors designed with Retro Renovators in mind.
Vitra boomerang laminates made by Wilsonart:
Vitro boomerangs laminates – these are differentiated by their colors on a field-of-white or off-white.
The $$$ benefits of shopping around:
To get started on your comparison shopping, you can check for latest pricing from retro-focused suppliers like Heffrons [disclosure: a longtime advertiser on this blog] and Bars & Booths and also head over to Home Depot and/or other suppliers, who carry some of the designs. In our experience, there can be significant pricing differences, so do your homework and shop around.
Shop around — it can really pay off. Note this comment from Suzanne on our story about ordering samples of our boomerang collection:
Just ordered samples of all of them! Wish these would have been available when I was choosing my colors for my sewing room! I recently used Wintergreen Daisy for a newly created bathroom (former laundry room) in the 1905 farmhouse we are restoring, Yes, 1905 is a little before retro / MCM but the former owners told us that there was no plumbing or electricity until 1948 so I think some retro finishes will be just fine in keeping with the character of the house.
I ordered my countertop from a local lumberyard; I only needed 6 feet but I ordered a 12 foot piece so I would have extra if I wanted it for another project. I think it was around $200 total for the formed countertop; Lowe’s had quoted me almost $800 for the same thing and HD couldn’t figure out how to order from the VDL [Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library]! I did have to wait about 8 weeks for the countertop but it was totally worth it! Those daisies make me smile every time I go in there! I still have two more bathrooms and a kitchen to do in that house – so glad to see these new boomerang color choices!
Other tips on getting samples and finding fabricators:
- Get samples of the Wilsonart Retros, the Vitro Retros, and the Retro Renovation® by Wilsonart® collection directly from Wilsonart or for a small fee from Home Depot.
- Samples of these designs also are available from Heffrons, Bars & Booths, etc.
- Get the Formica sample from Formica.
Another way to get the googie vibe:
For a different atomic vibe, check out Nevamar’s Venus laminates — reproductions from the original that we helped make happen! Available in two colorways shown above.
Lots of laminate research here on Retro Renovation
Peeples, we cover laminate choices EXTENSIVELY on this blog — go through our Kitchens / Countertops category if you want crackle ice, reproduction Venus, Carrara marble laminate, still-made 1960s laminate, linen-look, Brady Bunch bittersweet orange laminate, etc. etc. etc.
Disclosure from Publisher Pam:
I want readers to know: I do not make money if you buy the laminates in our collection with Wilsonart; “the deal” that I initially had with the company included other elements of consideration. Beyond that, over time, Wilsonart has advertised here, for which Retro Renovation is compensated. 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! – Pam.
Becky Latka says
I added a kitchen to my basement and used the turquoise ebony pattern to go with the turquoise 1963 G.E. double oven and turquoise sink I purchased used. Love the results!!! Added black-and-white floor tile (Menards) to finish my “Retro Downunder” Airbnb space!
Anna says
Just stumbeled on this website. It is awesome! I downsized last year and moved to a one story mid century modern that was built in 1958. Mind you I moved from a Colonial where everything was antique and all proper. As a widow, and on my own I wanted something FUN. So I picked this fixer upper. The previous owners have done some sad “improvements” and I am doing my best to un improve them LOL. I just wish I could find original blueprints.
Pam Kueber says
Welcome to our party!!!
Andre Fernandez says
I just rescued today from a construction dumpster an original 4′ x 2′ countertop with backsplash on 2 sides and original steel edge trims all intact in perfect condition with the white Skylark/Boomerang laminate by Formica original to the house from the 1950s currently being renovated (or more like re-decorated). I rescued it more for ecological reasons to repurpose for my laundry room than its iconic and designer pedigree. The Skylark pattern was designed by Brooks Stevens and styled by Raymond Loewy in the 1950s. Brooks Stevens was also the industrial designer that coined the phrase “planned obsolescence” and I just did the opposite.
pam kueber says
Good for you, Andre!!!!
Alison says
We are making countertops out of Wilsonart Delightful Jade boomerang pattern. We also need to find a paint color that matches the green background. I thought this would be easy but it’s not. I haven’t found any paint cards that match from Behr, Benjamin More or Sherwon Williams. I was told it can’t be matched on the computer because the design would confuse the color match of the background. Any else found a paint color that works?
Kate says
Hi Allison,
Pam and I can do more research when we are back on the blog again next week. I did take a quick glance at my Delightful Jade boomerang countertops next to my Sherwin-Williams paint swatch deck, and found that ‘Bonsai Tint’ looks pretty close to the background color of that pattern. Might be one to check out.
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6436-bonsai-tint/#/6436/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0
Alison Boteler says
Thanks so much will check that out! As for metal edging. I’ve notice lately counters that have screws in the sides. Is this a different banding than the T-style?
pam kueber says
Yes, you can still get banding that attaches with screws. Then you don’t need to router the T’s. There’s also snap-on edging.
Bonnie Jo Campbell put this style banding along her kitchen countertop: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/02/27/bonnie-jo-campbell-updates-her-swamp-house-kitchen-and-talks-about-living-modestly-to-pursue-a-dream/
We have various go-to sources and there may be more from readers in comments. Here are the stories that come up when I type countertop edging into the Search box near the top of the blog: https://retrorenovation.com/search-results/?q=countertop%20edging
You could also scan Kitchen Help/Countertops subcategory for possible other stories.
Rick G says
Hi Pam, would you happen to know which ( if any ) of these laminates are gloss in finish ? – or are they matt ? –
RickG says
I’ll answer my own question ( I found out by ordering this week ! ) – yes, they do these laminates in gloss , as well as the matte. You just have to request it & for a little extra $ ….. it’ll be reality !
Laura says
I have had the orange (ruby) for five years now and I love it more every day. It makes me happy every time I look at it.
Karin says
Thank you so much for these new designs. I have a 1950s house and want to redo my kitchen counters. I just ordered samples of your red and aqua boomerangs, as well as the Betty laminate. I have a question that hasn’t been addressed here. What do you recommend for flooring to match these? Currently I have a white/off-white vinyl that is very boring and most importantly, shows all of the mud that my dogs track in. Do you have suggestions for a genuine vintage style, or modern with vintage flair, for kitchen flooring? I want to either do linoleum/vinyl or tile of some kind.
pam kueber says
Hi Karin, nice to hear from you! Start digging into our Kitchen Help / Flooring category to assess options we have researched to date — https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/flooring/
You can also go through Kitchen Help / Readers and their Kitchens to see what readers used. https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/kitchens-hi-pam-reader-spotlight/
Mary Elizabeth says
BTW, I ordered some samples of the RetroRenovation boomerangs, and they are out of samples in Delightful Jade. Gives you a good idea of the most popular color!
pam kueber says
Whoa!
sherree says
I just got my RR samples and the pink boomerang is on back order. Evidently that is a popular choice too 🙂
Lynn says
I agree–the Retro Renovation line is so much nicer. The others are so bright and busy and it’s hard to concentrate on the design–just the colors. I can’t wait until we have a chance to retro renovate the bathrooms in our next house soon!
Janet says
My favorite, hands down is the Retro renovation line. Nice job Pam and Kate!
Bunny says
So love this. I grew up with this on my Mom’s kitchen counter tops. Ours was salmon color with grey, black n white boomerangs. Birch top table with hair pin legs on table n chairs. So cool. No wonder I gravitate to retro design. My Mom was right into 1950s design. Our brick ranch was built for her in 1954. Need to dig up some picks. Love u guys!
Bunny