Mgmum, what is the name of what you have? Did you have to pick a finish? Kd also seemed not to know about that.

Formica offers what they call "Ideal Edge" on 200+ laminates. It's shaped like MGMum's but they offer other profiles, too, I believe.

If you wanted to limit yourself to two greys (Fog or Folkstone) or several whites, you could get ColorCore2 which is one color throughout, with no black edge.

I would branch out from what your KD is telling you. Get lots of samples in many different colors from all the different formica companies. Go to Lowes and HD, etc. or order online.

Some patterns come with a finish choice, some do not. I agree with just shopping, then getting some samples. HD has a TON of sample colors and patterns.

Also Wilsonart offers shaped edges; and their "Solicor" (no black edge) comes in two whites and a "Calcutta Marble"

Mine is WilsonArt Black Alicante. I have a matte type surface. I did not like how the sun shone on the textured finishes and you coudn't see the counter pattern, just the texture. I'm not sure mine came in a texture anyway. Most of the mini samples at the big box stores have the types of textures available. Some also come only in super glossy, and those I did not like that much either, but that's a personal thing. I think you can even get an 'ogee' edge with laminate now.

Your KD needs to school him/herself on this because not everyone can afford or wants a solid surface or stone countertop. No way could I afford solid surface or stone. I suppose I could have found some granite remnants with a good deal of searching, but I like what I have and I liked the price too. :)

Your KD is stonewalling! Be brave and do some research. Laminate is great - hardwearing and trouble free. We had issues with a light edge showing on our dark laminate, but just be sure to ask questions at HD or wherever you are getting samples. We used WilsonArt Retro Malt in the laundry room of our old house.It's bright and fun.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wilsonart Retro Malt

I'm having a difficult time imagining how a job that involves losing a window, a relatively expensive project, gets included on such a budget conscious job.

Trebuchet, I'm spending on layout and not countertop. Without losing the window, my layout would continue to be terrible. My reasoning is that I can always upgrade to stone in a few years if I want to, but you're stuck with the layout forever.

purrus, I agree with the others - go to a store and look at displays, and the many, many small samples. Pick several you like, and order larger samples on-line.

I was all set to get laminate counters, until DH and I were in a cabinet shop, and found a sample of quartz that we loved. I tried and tried to find a laminate color/finish that I liked as well, to no avail. We bit the bullet and went for quartz, and chose the rest of our finishes (cabinet color, flooring, wall color) around it. I do not regret the decision - but my budget wasn't set in stone. I didn't spend a ton on appliances.

I'm kind of partial to the abstracts and textile looks (I realize that isn't a mainstream preference). These are all Formica patterns.

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I like Formica's Soapstone Sequoia pretty well. You can see it installed at the blog below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Soapstone Sequoia Formica Counters in Scott and Allie's Kitchen

I have formica fx180, but its a darker color pattern. Its fairly shiny, not as much as the Wilsonart HD, which is very glossy, beautiful but it didn't come in the color I was looking for. Because my laminate is dark, the brown edges are not noticeable at all. Since we only had it installed last fall, I can't say how it will hold up, but my last formica counter was 28 yrs old when we replaced it, and still in pretty good shape, so hopefully this new one will last for a while.

If you get the bevel edge or the crescent edge, mot of the brown lines are eliminated if you also don't do the built-in backsplash.

This countertop is being replaced due to installation error, but the material itself is very pretty, I think. It is Formica FX Cararra Bianco.

the problem with the 180fx or wilsonart hd is that after doing the special edges, it is not much of a bargain. i looked at going that route but honestly felt that granite was a better bang for the buck. the laminates that were cheap, weren't to my liking unfortunately and the pretty laminates were not cheap!
you might be able to do a solid surface for less than granite but the difference will not be significant.
honestly it is better to spend a little more now than to spend now and spend more later to change out the counter. if you love laminate then go for it; but if it is a temporary fix, you end up spending more in the end anyway.

here's 3 - there are more I like but they're a bit darker (like Colorado Slate)

http://www.wilsonart.com/homeowners/laminates/detail?sku=4896&ReturnURL=1

http://www.wilsonart.com/homeowners/laminates/detail?sku=4887&ReturnURL=1

http://www.formica.com/en/us/products/laminate-homeowner/details?di=NA_US_LAMHOME_03687