lastlook
Formica + Function
How a laminated plastic company influenced an era of kitchen design.
By Ian McMaster
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
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.