I don't know if we'll use this in the kitchen or bathroom, but it's just so pretty...and no maintenance :)

It's really pretty! Looks like marble! I'd use it everywhere :)

Love those inspiration pictures!

Lavender it's really pretty. Let us know how the sample looks in person :)

Lavender, that's a lovely kitchen. It looks like you (in my imagination). I love the the countertops!

I really like that one. Have to keep that in mind for my next reno

One of my favorite Country Living kitchens had that! It was totally budget but one of my favorites. "And best of all they mimic fancy Carrera marble" love that. My grandmother's 1947 house had similar countertops (complete with metal edge) and I thought it was so pretty.

Lavender - that is really beautiful. Great choice!

I know it's off subject but does anyone know where you could get that pendant light above the sink??? I love it.

I ordered large samples of the HD laminate based on pics like the ones you posted above, too. The samples in real life looked like traditional laminate and not nearly as "real" as the pics IMHO. After months of trying to find another counter top material I like as much as marble, I'm going to get the marble and deal with the wear and tear.

I regularly have people stopped in their tracks when I mention that this is laminate and not marble. Sure, it's not going to have the depth that the crystalline structure gives marble, but neither will any other material on the market, quartz fauxs included.

i didn't realize you could do an ogee edge on formica. figured it'd have to be squared off. that last picture is really pretty.

I had some of that from the '50s too!

The new stuff looks better. :)

DIYmom, Rejuvenation and Schoolhouse Electric used to have something like those shades--don't know if they still do. Rejuvenation for sure still has the same plain ol' pendant, so browse through their shades.

romy718 - not true! LL looks like bunnies :)

Prosource Memphis - Madam, I do believe I recognize you and will always remember the fun of that (those) new backsplash reveal(s). I still love the punch of that tile!

That's why I'm getting the sample! Have to see if it's too busy for the bunnies :) I could use butcher block with the bunnies and marble around the sink!

The sample arrived yesterday! And, my husband really likes it!!!

Here's a quick photo...it looks very nice with the jadeite :)

It's lovely! I am constantly amazed at all the wonderful products that are available today. I wish I had seen that when I did my laundry room. It would have been perfect!

Corian Rain Cloud is also a nice alternative and far more durable. Quite expensive though--priced about the same as the real thing.

I have a 10x10" sample (which you can order from their website). I think the color and pattern are nice. What I'm having a hard time surrendering to is the subtle pitted and gloss surface texture that kinda dominates the eye when reflections catch it right. I'd have much preferred a simple matte finish, like Wilsonart's White Carrara.

What's more durable, Formica or Wilsonart?

It is shiny...does Wilsonart look more like honed marble?

Lavender, I also thought that the Formica was simply gorgeous, and ordered a sample like yours. I was doing just a little facelift in my kitchen, and went to the nearest Lowes just to get pricing on what my counters would cost.

Long story short, my kitchen is not big, and I wasn't using this on the island, but I did want the ogee edge applied. The KD there, who was very nice and informative, did the calculations and and asked if I knew that I could get some stones for the same price as that laminate?! I was shocked, but he showed me the pricing, which may not work out that way for you.

I ended up going to a local stone center, and choosing a leathered Fantasy Brown Quartzite. It probably turned out to be a bit higher than some other stones, but I'm really enjoying it. I LOVE that laminate and to me, this stone has a 'marble look' to it, which may be due to the leathered finish.

This is an in-progress pic, so not the best.

That's expensive! I think the installation might be part of it...but I haven't priced it yet, myself. I found this on an older thread (referenced above) and the gal said that without install, they were $850.

This is the kitchen at the top of the page....

http://myoldcountryhouse.com/monday-makeover-part-one-the-budget-kitchen/#comment-5839

Oh, and your countertops look beautiful! I like the green cabinets, too :)

My3dogs - you kitchen is awesome! I was "thinking about you and your kitchen" this weekend as I am planning a kitchen facelift in a few months after I retire. Yeah!

When you get time, we want ALL the details and ALL the pictures. I am gathering lots of "how-to" information.

You and Sheesharee (misformink) are motivating this old gal.

Thanks, both of you! I hesitate to post any old house 'just a facelift' reno here as so many of them are so gorgeous and pricey! I just had my natural maple cabinets that were in great shape painted, did new counter tops, replaced the island top with an old butcher block table top from Craigslist (refinished it first) and made legs for the overhang from an old bed from CL. I took the foot board, removed the legs and used them upside down. Wood from the footboard was used to make the arch between the legs.

A change I really like is having the painter's son add to the top of the cabinets and bring them to the ceiling with new crown. I hated that dust catcher up there before. I even kept my Swanstone sink from the original kitchen re-do, as I love it and it looks like the day I bought it.

Before -

I also added a new light fixture over the island, and two sconces on the cabs on either side of the sink. I kept the solid brass knobs, which I am 'aging'. Notice how we made the top of the island as close to the color of antique secretary that you see in the LR of my old house. I made faux Roman shades in Waverly 'Olana' fabric in the bayleaf colorway that I got on eBay.

I love your creativity. I enjoy seeing how people repurpose items and make them new again. Your kitchen looks so welcoming!

My3dogs-- Your beautiful house is one of my favorites, and I'm so happy to see these pics! I wondered how it was going.

Love the cabinet color, the new crown molding, both countertops, and the brass. Love that you kept your white appliances. Beautiful fabric on the window treatment, as always. Wonderful job!

I have the same formica as in your "before", so getting back to the original topic, I am also quite interested in the Formica Calacatta! It looks so good in pictures. I will be keeping an eye on this thread.

jlc712,

That laminate was beautiful to me in the early 90's when I first did the kitchen. At the kitchen center, they laid it on a piece of Deer Isle granite, and you couldn't tell the difference.

My recent kitchen facelift was all started with the Formica Calacatta, as I loved it. You can get a free 12" x 12" sample mailed to you at this link. Choose your samples. I think they limit you to five of the large samples, but they'll also send smaller ones. There is some incredible laminate out there, and mine lasted beautifully for 20+ years!

There are some incredible laminates. I was in Lowe's the other day. I had to run my hand across a laminate to tell the difference. I would have sworn was a leathered granite.

Thanks for the link, My3dogs. I just ordered samples :-) I too loved my speckly granite-look laminate when I got it many years ago. It's still in almost perfect condition, but I loathe the wood edging that my counters have.

My3dogs, I love how you have transformed your kitchen, your updates are fabulous and make a world of difference. The island makes a huge statement, but I especially am in love with your counters! I was set on using a dark leathered granite but every time I see the Fantasy Brown I just can't get over how pretty it is. How is it holding up so far?

happyallison, I had written a reply but went to get some pics and it disappeared. Bottom line is that I love it. The leathered finish was strongly recommended as it makes the surafce more resistant to staining and etching. I did all the tests and nothing etched or stained it. I don't know if you've read the threads started by 'Karin' (I think) who is a geologist about various stones for counters, but she suggested seeing if the stone would scratch glass. Here is what I did with the sample I had.

Here is a not-so-great shot I took for someone when I just had the sample, so she could see the leathered finish, which is not perfectly smooth.This very close shot makes it looks much 'bumpier' than it is in real life.

It has many soft colors in it, and in some places, almost a translucent quality. It has white, cream, taupe, tan, green and some darker brown areas. I love it with the green cabinets. In this shot, from the left edge to about the middle, you see some green. I live in Maine and it makes me think of the ocean water swirling on a beach.

My3dogs thank you so much. I have been following Karin! And am trying to learn about it all quickly. I will be visiting a stone yard this week or next, to do some real life shopping around. I have quite a few stone yards near me which is nice. Every time I see this counter in pictures I just drool over it. It is very different from anything I was expecting to use. It's so good to hear about it's durability. I do see the color variance (which is what I thought I wouldn't like, I'm kind of plain jane) but it's just really lovely. I live at a lake, maybe that is why I love it too. :) I bet it's even better in person as most stones are.

My3dogs has a beautiful kitchen and I am SO glad we've all gotten to see such great pictures. Please continue to comment and I'm going to start a new 'faux marble' post. Sometimes, threads take on a life of their own and it's best to just enjoy it! Great kitchen :)

Lavender, I forget...why are you looking at marble-like formica? Price and/or maintenance?

Linelle- Hi! To answer your question, maintenance first, then price. I am super cheap (LOL) well, I am. But the maintenance is the biggest issue.

I have formica now...and I love it, just not the color. It's held up pretty well, except for cigarette burns (before my time) in one area. Since we don't smoke, I think it will be a great option :)