How Formica, a laminated plastic company, influenced an era of kitchen design.
The kitchy 1950s kitchen is characterized by the mixing of candy-colored surfaces and futuristic materials. Mint, pink, turquoise, yellow and powder blue were all the rage, creating bright and vivacious cooking spaces across the country. While chrome hardware, linoleum flooring, plexiglass lighting and steel appliances were all put to use in the era, no material defined this period and brought together form and function like Formica counters, cabinets and surfaces.
Formica, the material and brand, was invented in 1913 by Daniel J. O’Conor and Herbert A. Faber—two former Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Corporation employees. As the first laminate composed of layers of plastic phenolic resins, Formica was originally made to insulate electronics and was used by the military, motor companies and radio manufacturers. But as the company grew over the next 40 years and their product became more advanced, Formica would make its way into homes across America.
By the 1950s, Formica, like many other American companies, sought to take advantage of the consumer-goods explosion following the end of World War II. Homes were being built at a record pace and kitchens were being designed with the family in mind. Formica was the perfect material to fill them.
The laminate was nonporous and durable, making it simple, hard to stain and easy to maintain. It was heat- and moisture-resistant, destined to be next to any sink or oven. And Formica was easy to make, affordable and—most importantly—customizable.
Formica would be cut for counters, cabinets and tabletops in all shapes and sizes. The sleek look of the material embodied the clean, futuristic aesthetic of mid-century design. Formica offered bright and pastel color palettes that captured the optimism of the period. And the popular boomerang, mosaic, linen and gold-flecked patterns and designs that could be printed on the top layer would become iconic and are still used today.
Looking for more MCM kitchen inspiration? You might also like Keeping Some Kitsch in the Kitchen and Blend Until Smooth: An MCM Kitchen Renovation. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more Atomic Ranch articles and ideas!
