When I remodeled my kitchen the first time, I had these. I wish I had photos to show you! My cabinets were cream colored with oak trim, and the counter matched well with the wood and the floor. They looked nice. At the time (early 80s) stones weren't as common. It wasn't bad, but later on, I replaced them with granite, and now in this remodel I have changed to quartz. Do you have photos of your kitchen?

Had them in ours prior to demo several months ago. I didn't think they looked at all like real butcher block, or anywhere close to it. The only thing I liked about the them was that if crumbs were left on the counter top you couldn't really see it well. That was a bonus at times, a drawback at times : ) Laminate was indestructible, and trust me, I tried for a few months prior to demo. Didn't burn, didn't discolor easily and took a softscrub cleaning like other surfaces won't.

Can't find photos other than this one used for the GW cooking forum. Kind of shows the color. I always wished they were another solid color as I felt the butcher block didn't look very nice. We are going with stone now. I have decided to use laminate in the laundry room due to it's ability to withstand pretty much any harsh treatment. Sorry, I can't say any other positive things about it, as I pretty much disliked it the entire 18 years I had it.

I'd look into the real thing at Ikea as suggested if you have your heart set on it, though it won't be indestructible.

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The house I grew up in had butcher block-looking laminate countertops, exactly like the above picture ^^^ I don't think they looked anything like butcher block and the slab cabinets were a similar color so overall it was a drab look, except for the avocado sink and refrigerator.

IIRC, the laminate that looks like butcher block only comes in the above color. You have many more choices of wood and color using the real thing.

I'm not a fan of laminate, but if it's what you decide to do, if you avoid the preformed laminate backsplash (do they even do those anymore?) it makes it look more realistic. The wood look ones I remember seeing all had that curved up backsplash, which made it look very unlike real wood counters. Some of the bamboo-look and walnut-look laminate I see in pictures look pretty great.

eta: I guess I was thinking wood look and not butcherblock...I don't think they have bamboo or walnut butcherblock

It was a very common countertop for apartments in the 80's.

I too considered it out of the question and dated, but like I said, I started to hear about the "new" look of laminate and how in some cases you can't even tell the difference. I thought surely someone on here may have used it and was just hoping to see a "real life" application.

The 80's butcher block laminate looked good--in the 80's.

The problem was that it was really popular and got over-used and used inappropriately. What started out as a fresh look in laminate became boring and predictable. Kinda' like all of the marble and marble wannabes/ grey everything is today. And trying to force grey floors into a room with warm wood cabinets.

Today's wood look laminates are much better looking; leaps and bounds of improvement in photographic technology since the 80's. As well as a much broader selection of wood-looks vs the one-size fits all butcher block Formica from almost four decades ago.

That said, I have not seen the new butcher block in person. But I have seen some other wood grain plank plastic laminate counter tops that look very, very good...to the point that I had to touch them to make sure that they weren't wood.

Kate, if you do want something that is very low maintenance, laminate is - the old and the newer. I think you're hearing from other people like me, who had the older laminate butcher block (and it was not attractive as I mentioned). If I were you, I'd go personally to the stores that carry it, and see it installed - otherwise I'd remain leery if I only had a sample piece to make a decision. After a quick look, the big box stores have Wilsonart laminate that is different from what I had (but I can't speak to the quality or final look):

Wilsonart 4 ft. x 8 ft. Laminate Sheet in Mangalore Mango with Standard Fine Vel · More Info

Shop Formica Brand Laminate Timberworks Matte Laminate Kitchen Countertop Sample · More Info

Shop Wilsonart Premium 36-in x 96-in Old Mill Oak Soft Grain Laminate Kitchen Co · More Info

Though I did say above to check into IKEA, I personally would not want them for my entire countertop. They do require sealant, and re-sealing, and you need to be vigilant regarding standing water and faucets. Even Waterlox will have some issues, such as leaving black marks where rubber feet (the black kind) are - and some appliances have those. I'm doing a butcher block inset into our countertop, but it will be used for prep work and therefore won't be sealed, and I expect water marks and some bread-knife cuts. We'll remove and sand if we ever need to sell. Having said this, I've a relative who has wood countertops - but she never, ever cooks. Her countertops remain in pristine condition, but she is vigilant.

I'm a fan of laminate, just not the fakey wood-looking patterns. With your flooring, you don't really need to introduce another woodtone to your space. Have you considered a fun laminate pattern? Something with a little color? Do you still have the green rug or is there another color in your decor you could pull from?

Nothing from that picture is still there besides the cabinets and counter tops.

Chiming in here from Texas. Old Mill Oak and Truss Maple is and update to the older Natural Butcher Block referenced above. Try this link for patterns tagged as "butcher block." Plus, this link for Affordable Luxury. Hope this helps.