Formica has come a long way!
I revealed our Formica 180fx Calacatta Marble counter top back in May, along with
my One Room Challenge Kitchen Reveal. I had intended to do a follow up post on
the counter top right away, but decided to live with it for a few months before giving
my opinion. After four months here's what I think: I could not LOVE it more!!
Everyone that's seen it comments how realistic it appears and then proceeds to feels it.
If you're not familiar with Formica's 180fx product you're in for a surprise. Technology
and nature merged to create the first laminate with large scale patterns that replicates the
depth and realism of stone at an affordable price. The effect is achieved by digitally
photographing the highest quality pieces of stone.
Our island is 11' x 5' at the longest and widest points and there is NO seam!
That was a huge selling point for me, the sheets of laminate are 12' x 5'.
What sealed the deal was the availability of the IdealEdge. It mimics the decorative Ogee and Bullnose profiles found on more expensive stones,
and eliminates the brown seams previously associated with laminate counters.
I chose the Bullnose edge to coordinate with the profile on the existing granite in the
rest of my kitchen.
It has lived up to the durable, easy to maintain, stain and impact resistant claims.
We've spilled red wine, mustard, BBQ sauce, red sauce, paint - nothing has left a trace of a
stain. I'm just not careful with it, if I want to bust out a messy project, I do. I've used it for
large projects with glue smeared all over it and everything has come right up. I've used the
magic eraser and abrasive scratch pad. Short of actually cutting on it (which you can't do)
I feel like we've given it a very good test.
I was hesitant about one item, there are little tiny divots in the laminate and I wasn't sure
about them when I first looked at the sample. Different lighting highlighted them, and they
gave off a shine. I made all my design savvy friends check them out and we all agreed they
would be ok. I'm so glad I didn't let that hold me back. I don't even notice them at all, you'd
have to be looking for them in a certain specific light to pick up on it. Also, they were less
noticeable in the older, used sample I checked out from Lowes.
The Price??
The real deal would have been about $6,000 for our island,
the Formica Calacatta Marble was approximately $1,300.
Of course, prices will vary depending on fabricators in your area and the specifics
of your project.
I couldn't be happier with it, it truly is a great representation of a real marble pattern
without the worry of maintenance and at an incredible price!
