Polka dot patterns are a favorite for retro dresses — so, how about for the blue countertop of a retro kitchen remodel? Bridget shows us how, with her recently completed new kitchen featuring a tropical blue countertop with a polka dot pattern from Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library. Props for getting some real pattern on the floor, too! Let’s take a look at more of this personality-rich kitchen’s design features >>
Bridget wrote:
We bought our house two years ago as a “fixer upper”. The house was originally built in 1910, with its last renovation being a half finished DIY over 20 years ago.
I was OK with dealing with a janky kitchen for a couple years if it meant getting the kitchen of my dreams.
Blue polka dot kitchen countertops set the scene:
This year, I was finally able to go from Pinterest board to reality, and we demo’d the kitchen to its studs and built it back with the help of some brilliant contractors (REM Home Improvement located here in Lynden). The counter is Tropical Spot by Wilsonart, and the beautiful hardware on the cabinets and drawers are from the Lews Hardware Two Tone Collection in Robin’s Egg Blue.
I asked Bridget what friends and family thought of her polka dot countertops.
She said:
Family and friends were very apprehensive when I told them I was getting a robin’s egg blue polka dot countertop. But now that they’ve seen it, they absolutely love it! I have to admit that I was a little scared how it would turn out as well! Sometimes things don’t turn out how you envision them, like “would this read as mid-century or that I love clowns?”, but I’m relieved it’s better than I hoped.
Robin’s egg blue cabinet hardware repeats the key color scheme. Bridget’s resources:
Blue countertop: Wilsonart Tropical Spot laminate from their Virtual Design Library.- Metal countertop edging: Heffron’s retro banding
- Note, see my story: 6 places that make metal counter edge trim — stainless steel, aluminum, and faux
- Patterned flooring: Mannington Tapestry luxury vinyl tile sheet
- Backsplash tile: Bridget says these are off-the-big-box-shelf white glass subway tiles.
- Sink: Kohler Cape Dory Drop-in Cast Iron 33 in. 4-Hole Single Bowl Kitchen Sink in White
- Faucet: Kingston Brass
- Cabinetry: Sourced from a local hardware store/info on brand not available
- Blue cabinet knobs and pulls: Lews Hardware Metal Mushroom Knobs and Metal Bin Pulls in Robin’s Egg Blue
- Hanging pot rack: Elegant Designs Home Collection
- Yellow paint: Info on brand/color not available
- Curtains and hand towels: AVintageLook on Etsy
From “janky” to “whimsically wonderful” — that’s how I’d subtitle this wonderful kitchen transformation. Thank you, Bridget, for sharing your story, your photos, and your resources — and for setting a great example for taking a risk and choosing some real personality — blue polka dot countertops, hooray! — to one’s home.
Oh my! I LOVE IT. Well done!
It all looks so pretty! I had no idea that that laminate pattern existed (yay! it does) or that there is a lino in that pattern (yay! some more!) Great job!
I love it! So refreshing.
What a fun, happy (and thankfully clown-free) kitchen! I love it.
I just got a sample of that gorgeous aqua polka dot from Wilsonart; how fabulous to see it on an actual counter top!
And polka dots are totally mid century, never fear. Fabrics and fashions were full of dots; if there had been counter tops material, you know the cheerful kitchens of the day would have included it!
Thank you for sharing!
Just love the blue countertop! I’m curious if it’s similar or the same color as Make It Mid-Century’s Aqua Blue laminate. Did you compare the two colors or was it the polka dots you were after?
That cabinet hardware is so cute and perfect match!! I’m browsing their catalog now.
It was the combination of dots and color. I really wanted a statement piece for the countertops, and I liked the simplicity and sweetness of polka dots over other patterns.
I love the way the dots on the flooring go so well with the dots on the counters! That is my favorite thing about this kitchen, but I really just love the whole thing!
I can’t wait to get our kitchen done, well, started. I want to keep everything original but need new countertops. I have the white with gold flecks and that is what I want to put back in.
I love seeing all the new rooms and the happiness these people have after their project is finished.
Here’s where to get the glitter laminate: https://retrorenovation.com/2018/05/30/glitter-laminate-v2-with-more-sparkle/
This is lovely! It is so well put together – all the little details.
Very pretty! I love the color—as my daughter says, my ‘go to color’, even if polka dotted. It gives the kitchen a happy, cheerful look. I would love a large single bowl sink. My husband thinks this is not what “most people” want and he’s always focuses on how modifications will affect value and interest when we sell.
Anyone have thoughts on that? Because we’re right in the middle of the restoration of our 1947 mid/modest ranch and the sink decision is coming up soon.
I can’t wait to have a large single bowl sink! My sister just remodeled in a high end area and was thrilled to put one in.
I think a large single bowl sink is desirable. You can fit bigger pots and pans inside. Besides, if you remodel a kitchen, it should be for you…not for anyone else!
Despite implications on TV home design shows that homeowners get all the money back for renovated baths and kitchens when they sell, all the real estate people I know say the opposite. Unless you bought the house as an investment that you intend to flip in a year or two, worry more about what you like rather than what will sell in some indeterminate future. Note how much people spent on granite countertops that are now being replaced with quartz as the most desirable material (at least here in the Northeast). Laminate countertops and sinks are easy to replace, and that’s what the agent will say to your prospective buyers–the sink can be easily replaced. If you can’t convince your DH that you deserve the sink of your dreams, tell him if he agrees to have it put in, you will start a small savings account for a second sink replacement, should you ever decide to sell and the agent says yours isn’t trendy enough. 🙂
Indeed, according to long term research, most remodels do not recover their cost upon sale. Data are updated annually, by region now. See >> https://retrorenovation.com/2011/11/14/remodel-and-watch-your-investment-plunge-in-value-2011-2012-data/
Bridget, yours is one of the sweetest kitchens I’ve seen on this site and very well designed. The white cabinets and unusual blue knobs pull out the colors in the laminate. I like what you did in your small space with the peninsula and the tall storage cabinet next to the fridge. I also love the pot rack over the peninsula–unlike closed cabinets or even open shelving, the hanging pots allow a sense of openness between the kitchen and dining area while freeing up essential storage space in the cabinets. Well done!
Omigosh…thank you! <3