We met many awesome Wilsonart people at KBIS — seriously, how fun is it to talk boomerang laminates — but this was a particularly happy connection: Sally Chavez, a senior designer, introduced herself, we got to talking, and she mentioned that the “Betty” of Wilsonart Betty laminate (a welcome design here) was named for her mother. That’s Betty (center) with daughters Sandy (left) and Sally in a circa 1964 photo taken at the family home in Dearborn, Mich.
(Note: The original photo is blurry, it’s not your monitor:)
As a member of the Wilsonart design team, Sally works to select and determine patterns and colors for the company’s residential and contract laminates. She was new to the team when the laminates soon-to-be-known-as-Betty and -Endora were gearing up toward introduction.
The turquoise colorway immediately reminded her of the wallpaper and paint in her precious family photo, so she asked if they could name the laminate Betty, for her mother, who had died just a few years earlier. Yes, they could! So they did.
How was Endora, the name for the pink colorway chosen? Sally said the team then researched and considered other popular names of the era, and chose Endora.
Thank you, Sally, for sharing this wonderful memory! It makes us love Wilsonart Betty all the more!
Link love:
- See all our stories about Wilsonart Betty and Endora laminates
- Order free samples of Betty
- Order free samples of Endora
- All our stories about Kitchen Countertop options
Amber Dawn says
Oh hey, that’s my oven!
https://flic.kr/p/e5SeVC
Jan S says
Thanks so much for sharing this story. Provides its own emotional color!
Gary says
I used to sell Wilsonart. Back in the 70s and 80s. The patterns were much more attractive Almond Cameo was my favorite
Carolyn says
It’s possible that Betty and Endora may be better sellers overall because they are evocative of the era without hitting you over the head. Don’t take me wrong – I loooove me some boomerangs – but that’s one of those things that “others” object to and ask when you’ll “update”. Maybe they’re those “gateway” colorways you always here about…!
pam kueber says
Plus: They are stock laminates — at least four times (or more) less expensive!
tony says
cool. going to use Betty w/bamboo slab cabinets in our mid century post and beam house kitchen. will do same for edging and full backsplash like the one pictured.
Deanne says
Great story! Betty was a super close second for us, but ultimately was just a little too cream color overall with our bright white trim. Made it look dingy. But, I kept the sample in my kitchen remodel binder simply because I love it so much!
Phillip Pessar says
My handyman just ordered the Betty laminate to use for my kitchen renovation in my 1954 house.
pam kueber says
🙂
Mary Elizabeth says
Phillip, be sure to let us know how the handyperson likes working with the retro laminate, and also send photos of the completed project to Pam and Kate.
tammyCA says
I wondered about the choice of those laminate names (my mom’s name was Betty..a popular name for those born in the ’20s, along with Dorothy & Irene). But, the only Endora I ever heard of was on TV’s “Bewitched”.
Btw, I’m watching the new season of “flippin’ RVs” on the GAC channel & I wonder when they’ll discover the new RR boomerangs & start installing those in their flips. Dang, I want a charming little camper trailer sooo bad & go to the Pismo Beach rally & be with my own kind!
Mary Elizabeth says
Tammy, you have enough recreation vehicle “real estate” for now! But here’s an idea for the future. I went to the flower show in Providence, Rhode Island recently, and one of the mock-up gardens featured a partly restored 1950s vintage Shasta as a little garden retreat–sort of like a gazebo–where the owner could go and read and soak in the vibes of the era. They wouldn’t let us go beyond the pavers to look more closely at the trailer, but it was very cute in the garden.
Eileen says
Betty is one of my favorite retro designs. What a perfect pairing with an iconic mid-century name. All the better to know of the real person who it was named for!
I had been thinking recently about how to reproduce the Betty design for a walkway. Wouldn’t that look so cool?! It may end up being beyond my abilities… I’ll have to wait for Wilsonart to expand into pavers!
Mary Elizabeth says
Wonderful story and photo! It’s fun to know where product names come from.