The house is a 50 year old ranch, so I need something that fits that age/style.

Can you post photos of your cabinets and kitchen? That will help for posters to make suggestions.

Kitchen photos

If you're not changing anything else, I'd leave what you have. It goes with that.

I needed to get new appliances, and my oven (a built in) doesn’t fit exactly the same as the old one. New countertops are needed.

I’ve seen laminate with granite images that are very nice and realistic. The design would make it very easy to disguise seams.

this is WilsonArt or Formica, available st box stores.

The laminate posted above looks like Wilsonart Summer Carnival.

IKEA now has some quartz for $38 a sf. A better look than laminate for not much more. Do you have the budget to have the cabinets refaced if the boxes are in good shape?

It’s actually my mom’s house and she doesn’t want to change the cupboards since my dad made them. We like looked at summer and winter carnival, but the mitered seams looked like they would be very obvious.

Arborite and Pionite have some nice subtle abstract patterns that are somewhat retro that would work.

This article talks about seams—that discussion is in the middle so scroll down for it.

http://www.home-style-choices.com/laminate-countertops.html

I would not go with a current faux granite pattern. The kitchen is lovely, but retro and I think a faux granite pattern would look very out of place. I would choose a pattern that was available when the kitchen was built.

It also looks to me like the kitchen does not get a ton of light. So I would stick to a light countertop. They are also easier to work on.

Retro renovation is a good source of information about period appropriate materials. Here’s a link to retro laminates that are still available (I’d take a look at the white onyx): https://retrorenovation.com/2011/10/14/formica-54-retro-colors-and-patterns-from-the-1960s-1970s-and-1980s-still-for-sale-today/

Boomerang. You need boomerang. It would look great with those cabinets.

Definitely check out Retrorenovation. That's where I learned about Pionite and subsequently discovered my laminate which is by Arborite.

The house is 50 years old, but she is wanting to do a granite looking laminate. She did upgrade to stainless appliances. The picture doesn’t show it, but there is a large picture window in the dining room to the right peninsula .

If she wants to fit the age/style of a 1950s ranch, then granite-looking wouldn’t work unfortunately - seems like she’s not too sure what she wants in that case. Best of luck!

And now re-reading, you were the one who mentioned the age/style of the house, but she wants the granite-look....

wiscokid-Boomerang is the first thing I thought of too! I can't speak as to color, and I'm not even sure what colors are available, but I think the pattern would look fabulous, and it would "fit" the cabinets more so. Or...Corian, to not have seams? I know not everyone likes it, (I do!) but it's a thought anyway.

I would try to talk your mom out of granite look laminate in this kitchen. It would look so much better with an abstract pattern.

Yes, I agree. Something retro and fun, not fake stone.

As others have written, granite is going to look silly with those cabinets but what difference does it make - the heart wants what the heart wants.

Laminate is inexpensive and the house is not being renovated with any thought of selling. If the house is sold, the future owner will either be buying it because of the retro feel of the cabinets - in which event a change of counters would be easy or will be demoing it for a total gut rehab - in which event the choice of laminate pattern doesn't matter either.

Take a look at the wilsonart or formica websites as the patterns they have are awesome. Boomerang is great if you are going somewhat kitsch but they have many more patterns that are not so in your face or just subtle gradations. What about color - a nice turquoise would go with the wood as well as with the era.

If she wants granite look, have her look at actual granites. Group A stone won’t be hugely more than a laminate.

But, it will be a design mistake to not acknowledge the history of those cabinets by putting a counter on them that acknowledges that history and their place in it.

I’d do the Wilsonart Jade Boomerang in a heartbeat. And pick up a few pieces of Jadeite pottery to showcase as well. Greens or aquas would be fabulous!

Aqua Ripple

Betty

Tropical Spot

Mint Compre

Pistachio Code

Country Club Houndstooth

Ocean

Sprout

Love those selections Cooks Kitchen.

Actually entry level granite may be less expensive than laminate. I still would probably not do granite.

No to granite. And no, no, no to granite-look laminate, nothing looks cheaper and uglier. No, please try to talk your mom out of it.

I'd go with Corian, the only material with no visible seams. It will fit into the look of the kitchen while taking it up a level. Also the "plasticky" feel that some people dislike, would be a nice contrast to the natural plywood.

Our 60s house came with original laminate counters and cabinets w. very thin Corian sliding doors.

As to the patterned retro laminates - I think these looked tacky in the 50s and 60s and look tacky now. Where I grew up, laminates in higher end kitchens were bold solid colors with a steel or aluminum (not sure which) edge. Builders put patterned laminates in apartment block kitchens,

People keep saying that laminate counters are inexpensive, I don't think that is true anymore, unless you go with prefabricated in-stock stuff. Price it out. Once you add up fabricating and install, laminate will run almost as expensive as Corian or lower priced granite. And your mom will have very visible seams. No way around that.

I truly understand all of these comments...from a designer standpoint you are spot on. She is very confused what she wants colorwise, but wants a granite looking laminate with the least obvious seams. Knowing that, are there any Formica or wilsonart that you would suggest? She has looked at Milano Quartz and Giallo Granite.

I once lived in an apt with a slightly textured formica and while very pretty, I found it hard to clean. So, should you go that route, watch the details to see if grime can accumulate. there are some textured laminates that are more of a “lumpy” texture and keeping clean is not a problem.

At the end of the day, it's your mother's choice. I'm experiencing the same challenge with the renovation of my parent's condo. They have oak cabinets that they absolutely adore. They don't like granite or quartz for whatever reason, so I'm tasked with helping them choose a laminate countertop. If you go on Wilsonart's website, they have the visualizer app that you can use, which is a big help.

I’ve never installed laminate so I dont have any personal experience. From the link I posted above:

• Eliminate the Dark Edges and Seams
  Color-through laminate eliminates the dark lines that plague a lot of laminate choices.The edges of the laminate are the same color as the surface, so the result is a less conspicuous edge.

  The range of color choices isn’t huge, so if a color-through laminate isn’t your cup of tea, choose a color/pattern that's similar to the dark brown or black color typical of laminate edging. Those seams will be much less noticeable.

  And if that still doesn’t satisfy you, there are special edge treatments that get rid of the dark lines and provide a clean and finished appearance. KURV Edges specializes in edging that creates a relatively seamless look. It's a one-piece molding made from the same laminate pattern as the top of your countertops. Once it's added to the edge, it provides a neat, finished look.

Personally, I would at least show her the white Onyx I mentioned above. It’s a faux stone, but the pattern dates back to the time of the kitchen and it is light so it would be easier to work on. Maybe present it along with a faux carrara marble and some faux granite choices.

I would also echo to check the price of real granite, it may very well be cheaper.

Corian Mint Ice. Longer lead time. Totally Perfect.

Love the Mint Ice and the Wilsonart Aqua Ripple. They would be so cheerful with those great cabinets.

Is there some reason she does not want real granite rather than a granite imitation?

If she is thinking cost, it will be cheaper than laminate with specialty edges

https://www.norfolkkitchenandbath.com/products-services/counter-tops/granite-counter-tops/entry-level-granite-choices/

https://empiregmq.com/entry-level-granite/

http://www.allmarbleandgranite.us/granitecolors.html

Yes, and in some places, like where I live, it will be cheaper than any laminate except the pre-formed grab-and-go stuff in the big box stores. Wilsonart or Formica have been more expensive than a lower end granite in this area for years now.

ETA Someone posted years ago that it has to do with whether or not there's a fabrication factory in the state. Don't know if that's still the case.

I like Sohpie's Mint Ice Corian suggestion the most now.

Yes, I like the Mint Ice, too.

Sophie, those colors that are only in Corian global--do you know how they compare price-wise with the ones easily available here?

Here is a similar light color but with a terrazzo like pattern from Formica Solid surface. I do not know how this compares to Corian

I think it is pleasant, and the seams would be nearly undetectable.

Some options for laminate: Wilsonart Bianco Romano, Wilsonart Autumn Carnival, and Formica Carrara Pearl.

I agree with you, Design Loft!

4 years ago I was quoted $1,200 for Formica Travertine - 44 SF (2 separate counters) with 30 LF of the crescent edge. But I would have had seams. I went with Arborite for $1,100 with a square edge and no seams. I live in north Texas.

I know that on some level it is probably tedious that your mother wants one thing and I am and others are directing you toward these other options, but a lot of times people don't know what the current options are or the current relative pricing of some of those options.

Design Loft...those colors look like they would work with her cabinets, but would the middle one...the bolder pattern...be hard to match seams? I know they will show, but some laminates will def. show more than others. Is there anything darker you would recommend? Thank you!!

I have to ask...is the carpet staying? I’d address that before counters. There are highly textured LVP click floors that would work if you are worried about slippage.

Laurie Nosek... The Travertine is fairly subdued but certainly more bold than the other 2 I posted with it. The seam should be fairly well blended but I can't say that it won't be noticeable even just a little. Certainly a lot better than anything else like a granite-look or anything with a lot of pattern.

Thank you!

Laminates are so much pretty these days and have improved on their quality and durability. I worked in a showroom that had 3 desks done with different Wilson art colors from the Carnival series. The seams were almost invisible. The tops are made differently as well so she won't have to have that corner ledge either - the top can be one level back into that corner.

I can't tell you how many people would say " ooh look at this granite" and then would see when they got close that it wasn't- some still had to ask though.

Go on their websites and order a couple of samples... that way you can see them against the cabinets. I think you will be pleasantly surprised..

Good luck!

Can you send me pics of the seams on all three desks? I’d love to see how they look.

Love the Formica example that Pal posted.

Have her look at some of the marble lookalike laminates. They're quite good and shouldn't offend any MCM purists as fake marble laminate was pretty popular back then. Of course, it might not be as much of a change from what she's got.

The cabinets are beautiful; I'm glad she likes them.

@ Laurie - Sorry - I am not at that job anymore...

Here is a picture of the color I had on my old desk - Winter carnival - the surface has a texture to it so it reflects light in different ways

Seam visibility has a lot to do with the pattern( if its very directional - see the picture below ), the texture ( more noticeable on high gloss ) and of course the fabricator!

This corner seam you almost don't see. Its tight , slightly pattern matched and a textured finish...while the one above it is smooth and very distinctly patterned.