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What’s in our big box from the Big Box store?

pam kueber - Updated: January 3, 2011

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

at the home depotToday, a reader guessing game. DH and I went to a Big Box store late last week and came home with a Big Box. What do you think is in it? I’ll add a new clue every 5 or 6 guesses. Your first two clues: (1) It’s in a big box, and (2) I could buy it at a Big Box store.  Update, we have a winner… click on thru for the answer — would you have guessed it? –>

formica retro boomerang countertop laminateUpdate: We have a winner — Matt. Yes: It’s Formica’s aqua boomerang laminate. It is being discontinued after Jan. 17th, so we bought two 5?x12? roles in case we ever had a problem with ours — this is what we used in our kitchen. We actually are calling Formica today to to see if we can store it in this role, or whether we need to flatten it out. Two 5?x12? roles are a ridiculously large amount — I think it’s enough for four replacement countertops… but at about $100/roll I thought what the heck.  Anyway, read this post on Formica discontinuations … I don’t know if there’s much aqua left, but if you need it — order it NOW: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/10/02/formica-retro-countertop-discontinuations-more-info/

Update II: One of my Monday to-do’s after picking up the laminate late last week was to email the friendly PR team at Formica to ask about how I should store my three lifetime’s worth of aqua boomerang laminate. Despite my hopes that it could remain all rolled up in this tidy little box, they reported:

STORAGE: Formica Brand Laminate should be stored horizontally, with a caul board or other protective sheet placed on top to protect the material from possible damage. The material should be protected from moisture, and should never be stored in contact with the floor or an outside wall. Optimum conditions for storage are approximately 75°F (24°C), and 45% to 55% relative humidity.

Oy vey. The Lucy and Ethel show continues, as now DH and I must now  find a place to prop it not to mention learn what a caul board is yadda yadda yadda. Sometimes I know so much about home renovation I put myself to sleep I’m so boring. 🙂

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  1. Billie says

    Although the skylark boomerang Formica was discontinued in August 2010 there is still some available. My cabinet/countertop guy just located 4 sheets of it in his distributor’s warehouse. I will only be using 2 of them.

    I was seriously having trouble finding a countertop that I could install and love. Solid surface was too expensive. Ditto for granite and I wasn’t sure that I was a granite kind of gal. It seemed too cold and impersonal. I have always hated laminate. I don’t like the faux wood and stone looks and the visible seam on the edge. I have also had too many experiences with the edges chipping.

    After many discussions with a friend and extensive research on what is available, I ran into your site and barsandbooths.com. As soon as I saw the boomerang pattern with the metal edging, I knew I had found something that I could love. The boomerang pattern is fun and whimsical and the metal edging resolves the other issues.

    I have read a lot of your blog and love it. I never knew I was a mid century kind of person until now.

  2. Stu G says

    Pam,

    I’m guessing “caul” board was most likely meant to be a “cork” board.

    Pretty easy to find and will keep the Formica better separated than a Manhattan divorce attorney.

    Congrats on the excellent pick-up.