Pix of my kitchen. Confession time: I have orange counters!

15 years ago

I've been following the comments about orange countertops and boomerang Formica with amusement. If orange Formica was cited as a design trend last month, then we're ahead of the curve because we installed it one and a half years ago!

Formica reissued its boomerang countertops awhile back. They come in gray, yellow, Miami aqua, and the orange we loved. We wanted a kitchen with a happy feel to it, and when I saw the orange boomerang Formica, I thought, "Now THAT'S happy countertop!"

The feature wall is green chalkboard paint, and the outlet is because we have an old cafe clock that lights up for that spot.

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Comments (23)

brody_miasmom
15 years ago
I like it!
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rmkitchen
15 years ago
I love your kitchen! What a cheery, happy place. I'm a sucker for color, even if you wouldn't know it by looking at my kitchen.
0
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How firm is the beeswax that the rest of you are using? The only Bee's Oil I could find locally was at Williams Sonoma. It is very soft, so there is no need to heat it up (tho I tried--just out of curiosity. It didn't really melt at all--just got warm). It has the texture somewhat of a shea butter cream. As soon as my hands rub it, it melts into the counter. If it were more solid, I think I might get frustrated with it, and switch to regular mineral oil. I use it as hand cream in between the SoapstoneSpaTreatment (trademarked--tho I didn't coin this term--someone else here did. Who?) My feet could really use a spa treatment. Thinking...thinking...Can't figure out how to do that without slipping and falling. We need to get some t-shirts/bumperstickers made: "Real stoners use their hands" "Have you rubbed your soapstone today?" "My parents went to Punta Gorda and all they brought me was this soapstone" "My other counter is made of soapstone too" "My soapstone is silkier than your Chipman Middle School Honor student" etc Can't wait to see more pictures! I can imagine how stressful the waiting and wondering has been (will it fit? did we template right?). Thank goodness it turned out so well! Hooray!! Francy
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awm03
15 years ago
Why, all the best people are choosing orange these days ;)

orange fans
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amysrq
15 years ago
Okay, I don't know if you can see me or not....
lean just a bit further to the left....
yes, that's me....
the one jumping up and down cheering!

Good for you, Jane. I love it and it is just perfect in your kitchen.
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sergeantcuff
15 years ago
Your kitchen is so fabulous! The orange is SO great with the checkerboard floor. I love the dinette set - I wish my kitchen was big enough for a table!
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User
15 years ago
Love it! You have an updated bistro/kitchen vibe and it looks as happy as anything I've ever seen. I think Formica is the most practical of all the countertop materials, although I like tile the best.

Formica is inexpensive and wears like iron, considering the beating it gets. Granite is NOT immune to cracks, gouges, stains, etc., and is too expensive to even think about changing, so the colour and edging go out of style.

When a colour or pattern of Formica goes out of style, or it starts to look worn you can replace it with something new and vibrant---very inexpensively. It is a GREAT material, imo.
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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
15 years ago
I wanted to hate it because it's something I'd never, ever do and the title made me shudder but, by golly, I like it! You've pulled this look together so very, very well. All the elements work together beautifully and it's a complete success. It looks like a really fun place to be.
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oceanna
15 years ago
It's bold, and cheeky, and cheery, and perfect! I'll bet it's hard to be depressed in there. Nice job!
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lkplatow
15 years ago
Love it!

What is the name/brand of the lemon-lime paint on your walls - it's wonderful!
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Jane_the_Renovator
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all! It took us a year and a half but it was worth it. I feel happy every time I step into the kitchen.

The yellow paint is Lowe's Valspar "Lemon".
The green chalkboard paint is from Rust-Oleum.

Dinette table came off eBay, and the chairs off Overstock. Our cabinets, stove and microwave were reclaimed, and the other appliances were new.
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awm03
15 years ago
Great kitchen, jane, with all those happy colors.
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walkin_yesindeed
15 years ago
love it! good for you! (kswl, I do love my granite... but you're right about the nicks, esp on the side. Not sure whether that's a granite problem or a contractor problem.)
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joanie_b
15 years ago
What a happy, cheerful kitchen with a cool vintage vibe.
I love all of your color choices and your counters look great.
Do you have a closeup of the boomerang pattern?
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moonkat99
15 years ago
Forget the orange counters - I LOVE the table & chairs!!!
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harriethomeowner
15 years ago
I wanted to get the boomerang laminate when I saw that it came out again -- so nostalgic, it's what I grew up with (ours was multicolored pastels) -- but decided it just didn't go with oak cabinets, and I didn't want to paint our cabinets.
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zipdee
15 years ago
I love your kitchen, Jane! The colors are awesome. The counters are great and I love your dinette set too.

I looked at the boomerang formica when they first re-introduced it too.
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Jane_the_Renovator
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, everybody!

I don't have a closeup of the counter, but I am linking to Formica's webpage for all of its retro finishes. You can see our orange boomerangs and other retro finishes. Cracked Ice, anyone?

The dinette set is especially cool because the table expands. When we entertain in the kitchen, we can just pull the table apart and two leaves in the middle pop up.

On the other side of the fireplace, going into the hallway, I hung up the best of my souvenir plate collection.

I had to edit WAY down on these and it nearly broke my heart. The big green-print one is from Hutchinson, Kansas. For some reason the plate manufacturers thought that putting the state penitentiary on the souvenir plate would be a selling point!

Here is a link that might be useful: Formica retro patterns
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house_vixen
15 years ago
We wanted a kitchen with a happy feel to it, and when I saw the orange boomerang Formica, I thought, "Now THAT'S happy countertop!"

Ain't that the truth! I'm a sucker for a cheerful kitchen so I love love love yours. Great choices all around...and congrats on being a trend-setter, ha!
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momto4boys
15 years ago
Well, to be honest..I'll remember this kitchen over the 20 or so others I've looked through today. I love it!! It's got personality and it DOES feel happy.
Great job!
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Meghane
15 years ago
Orange is my favorite color!

I *love* the retro vibe and think you very successfully accomplished the happy kitchen goal in a beautiful way. Great work!
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User
15 years ago
The whole thing looks great, very happy, fun, funky and practical. Excellent job.

sandyponder
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agnitha
15 years ago
I really love your orange countertops. They are very happy looking. *heading to the Formica website*
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yborgal
15 years ago
What a fun environment to cook and eat in! Great job!
0

Pix of my kitchen. Confession time: I have orange counters!

Comments (23)

brody_miasmom

rmkitchen

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Pix of my kitchen. Confession time: I have orange counters!

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