Nevamar “Carnival” design laminate in the “Oyster” colorway — fabulous! The simple triangular shape — line drawn in different colorways over a lighter field — is in the style of the famous Formica boomerang laminates — but different. I get a fair number of questions about the provenance of laminate found in reader homes — seems like I’ve seen this one before — and now we all know who made it and what it’s called.
Reader Kyrsten found this laminate — along with the beautiful Venus patterns we showed closeup here — on a chain o’ samples at a thrift store. And, Kyrsten’s so kind — she’s selling me the chain for my *museum*.
Readers: Alas, you can’t buy this any more. It’s a vintage design no longer made.
But there are quite a few patterned laminate options out there. To see them, dive into:
Thanks, Krysten!
Véronique Bettez says
The epoxie mentioned by Max is a very effective way to protect the laminate and gives a beautiful glossy finish. For my part, I also opted for a Formica kitchen crafter and I do not regret; I chose the color Maron Graniti and it is very beautiful : http://www.formica.com/en/ca/products/formica-solid-surfacing-home#swatchesTab
Carolyn says
The farmhouse we rented was built in 1910 and in the ’50’s, like a lot of farmwives, they updated with current materials. In the K, she kept the cupboards and cabinets and added (yet another!) coat of white paint but went the whole 9 yds of rec boomerang Formica with chrome edging on countertop and backsplash, even that inside join that Pam(?) had to jury-rig.
The bathroom was definite ’50’s cabinets with gray boomerang. The landlord said she couldn’t find floor wax and I wasn’t yet computerized so…just kept the gray tiles swept and mopped. We moved out so they could remodel but since we didn’t have a space for THE BEST bathtub and vanity, you can pretty much guess where that stuff went.
Pam Kueber says
My inside edge was not a jury rig; it was made for just the purpose it was used for!
Ms. Vel-Vida says
This makes me nostalgic for the boomerang counters in my last apartment before moving to my home. They were pink and grey boomerangs on white. The cabinets were a a pale wood grain laminate too. Talk about easy surfaces to clean!!
Mary Elizabeth says
Sounds great! It’s funny when we are nostalgic for old rentals, isn’t it? I used to live in an apartment in New Haven, CT that had a pink and black bathroom. Unfortunately, the landlord had put up beige wallpaper with orange and blue flowers. It almost gave me nightmares, but I didn’t want to invest in new wallpaper for a rental. Some people on this site have refurbished baths and kitchens in rental houses, and I take my hat off to them. Imagine my delight over 30 years later to find a house with a gray and pink bath!
Janet in ME says
I love these Nevamar formica designs. The countertop in my house is the gray cracked ice. It is in decent shape except for a worn area where the two pieces are joined and were uneven. I hate to replace it but it is showing its age. The main problem is there is no “sheen” left on the surface and it feels gritty, as if I haven’t wiped it clean of crumbs, etc. Is there a way to treat and revive the surface so it doesn’t have that problem that it is literally eroding from age?
Pam Kueber says
Not that I know of. The surface melamine cured at high heat under high pressure. See this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2013/06/04/how-laminate-is-made/
Max says
This product may work for putting a new smooth surface on top of the existing laminate. I have not tried it myself though.
https://www.countertopepoxy.com/premium-clear-epoxy-for-countertops-bar-tops/
Mary Elizabeth says
Max, what a wonderful find! I wish I had known about this product before I covered my own sparkly laminate countertop with a new laminate. It would have been worth a try.
Maybe Janet in ME (used to be Janet in CT) can get a sample of this and try it in an inconspicuous corner.
Allison says
There is a real, abiding satisfaction (is it unique among retrorenovators?) in finding the name, or maker, or date of manufacture of some little bit of our retro universe.
It a genuine thrill to find some material proof of the retro-reality of one of my houseparts or possessions in a magazine ad or brochure; I love it.
I’m sure that publishing these great laminate designs, Pam, is going to be great help for other retrorenovators on their voyage of discovery known as “What the heck did they CALL this stuff?!”
(Now, if I can just date my own mystery GE fridge; I’ve got it narrowed to a narrow range of years, but the GE appliance dating system is incorrect on mine, it appears in no advertising or GE brochures…a will o’ the wisp appliance 🙂
Pam Kueber says
Hi Allison, thanks. Perhaps automaticwasher.org can help you – tell ’em I sent you!
Janet in ME says
Pam and Allison, I still have my father’s huge volumes of repair manuals from the fifties and sixties. If I am in touch with Allison and have the specs and a photo, I can probably find it in there. It has a wealth of information, not just parts numbers.
John says
Allison, you can call the GE parts line and they can do some research and date the fridge for you. I learned this when I was looking for replacement parts for my GE Range. You would need the serial number… I, too, did not get good info from the GE dating guide online.
Carol says
Why oh why can’t they make these designs again?!! Love them!