Many readers say they greatly prefer retro design countertop laminates with a glossy top coat — just like in the olden days. But these can be very hard to find. Yesterday, I profiled the high-gloss Cracked Ice / mother of pearl design laminates now available within Wilsonart’s wonderful Virtual Design Library. Today: A story on the six boomerang designs — also in that high-gloss finish — also available for easy sampling from Wilsonart.
These designs have long been available including from places like Heffron’s. I call them the “Vitra” laminates, because they were used on Vitra products. Wilsonart made these laminates then, and now.
Now, though, getting samples is easier than ever. Just sign up with Wilsonart and pronto, they’ll send you 8″x10″ samples. Wilsonart hinted they also may be listed for purchase direct from Home Depot some time soon.
There are eight different colorways, so many that I missed two when I ordered my samples. Here are the direct links to each colorway:
- Yellow Glacier Boomerang
- Red Glacier Boomerang
- Turquoise Glacier Boomerang
- Glacier Boomerang
- Ebony Turquoise Boomerang
- Ebony Red Boomerang
- Ebony Boomerang
- Charcoal Boomerang
Want more boomerang options? See my story, which I now need to update:
-
4 designs – 29 colors of boomerang laminate now on the market
- And, see all my countertop research here
Boomerang laminates 
Where to find cracked ice laminate 
9 retro kitchen countertop laminates 
Retro laminates from Arborite — Mod atomic “Stella” designs in yellow and blue 
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I’ve had glossy and matte laminate countertops, which is why I did my kitchen in the matte finish boomerangs. I don’t worry so much about scratches and scrapes that are more apparent with the glossy finish.
Yup, the downside of high gloss is that scratches may show. That said: Lots of folks pine for it.
I was born in 1950. My parents bought our first home in 1955. One of those 1,000 -1,2000 sq. ft., brick ranches, with hardwood (thick) floors, wet plaster walls, coved ceilings and 1 bathroom. We had the boomerang counter in our kitchen. I don’t see the salmon base that I remember so well. I always loved that counter top. I’m happy to say that I see it from time to time in mid-century revival homes in Detroit’s suburban Royal Oak. I’m a Realtor & just love it when I get to see these homes.
Formica in the 2000s had a revival and it included what they called the coral base. It was lovely indeed.
Personally, while I think the shinier (and sparkler!) the better? From a practical standpoint I’d probably go with more of a satin finish for high-traffic countertops.
At the beginning stages of a re-do of our 1963 galley kitchen. EVERYTHING but the appliances remains original…yet I am changing out the countertop laminate for the Wilsonart “Betty”, with a matte finish. The glossy is just too much for my personal taste, but am thrilled there are more and more options for us retro revivalists.
I’m looking at “Betty” for my 1953 kitchen remodel too. I’m trying to figure out what cabinets to put in. I have no idea what the kitchen originally had. What type of cabinets do you have?
Hi Desert Dwelling, I have several stories on Betty laminate including a few where it was used in kitchens. See: https://retrorenovation.com/?s=betty+laminate
Hi Desert Dwelling…our kitchen cabinets are original built in place all wood. Nothing fancy as the shelves are not adjustable, but solid as ever. Plain fronts with rounded edges. We’re keeping them ‘cuz they don’t make them like this anymore!????
In my previous house, I had to sign a disclaimer to the installer when I asked for high gloss laminate. I put a similar product in my current house and did not have a problem this time. These boomerangs make me want to remodel my bathroom just so I can use them. So glad to see them out there!
I prefer the glossy like the days of old. Once its got scratches in it you just throw a little Jubilee Kitchen Wax on there and……good an new!
I would be concerned about glare from these when working in the kitchen.
I’m a kitchen designer from a big orange box 😉 Readers should be aware that the high gloss scuffs and scratches more easily. My fabricator has me tell customers purchasing high gloss that it WILL be scuffed up already by the time it gets to them, let alone the customer’s home.
I want orange – my grandpa had that at the diner counter of his bowling lanes in a small town in SW Michigan. I spent a lot of time as a small child tracing the boomerangs with my finger. I’d have Friday or Saturday night dinner there and could have whatever I wanted. Usually a fish sandwich and chips, a glass of Green River pop, and a chocolate milkshake. Since I was the grand daughter, they also gave me the leftover shake in the stainless steel blender cup, that other people didn’t get (I have no idea what they did with the other leftover shakes!).
I want! 🙂
I’m thinking of using laminate for a backsplash. #1 characteristic of a backsplash should be to repel water and be easy to clean. That, to me, rules out anything with grout or seams. I’m still looking for the right shade of yellow.
If one of the colors I am doing a bathroom with came in glossy I wanted to do something like Noelle’s. https://retrorenovation.com/2014/05/13/1930s-bathroom-pink-walls/ The color saturation is delicious and love the metal trim. But the matte finish…not sure. My vanity is entirely covered in First Lady Pink and pretty scrumptious though. And I’m glad to hear people in the know say going glossy might be regrettable .
I happen to love the natural maple on this website border. I found an awesome freestanding mid century bar which I will post a photo of later. It has a laminate top very very similar to this look – natural maple color that I want to replicate on my counters. Is this a laminate sample by chance?? If so where can I get it? thanks, Kim
No, it’s art…