WILSONART INTRODUCES QUARTZ AT KBIS
Wilsonart is on a roll. Known as a leader in the laminate market for over 60 years, Wilsonart is now exploring new surfaces while continuing to broaden their offerings in the market for which they have been a leader since the 1950s. The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), held this past January, marked the arrival of Quartz to the Wilsonart family of surfaces. The Quartz collection is comprised of 50 patterns that fit into 4 categories , ranging from small to large scale, to patterns incorporating veining and movement. Unlike traditional marble or granite surfaces, Quartz is non-porous, resistant to stains and requires no sealing. Wilsonart Quartz surfaces incorporate the best of two worlds – the beauty of natural stone with the performance of man-made materials.
The possibilities with Quartz and Solid Surfaces are unlimited, and these materials that were traditionally only used as countertop surfaces in the kitchen and bath are no longer limited to these two areas of the home.
Wilsonart’s Quartz and solid surfaces can be used vertically applied to a wall or even fabricated into cubes and embedded with LED lighting for a chic study space, as shown above. This study space was constructed using Wilsonart surfaces exclusively.
For their display at KBIS, Wilsonart experimented with mixing several different products in their line into each display. For the kitchen island shown above and below, both quartz and laminate are used to complement one another. A wood grain laminate with a soft grain finish is used to give warmth, and a stylized retro laminate pattern is used on the vertical surfaces that line the backs of the shelves to add an eclectic touch and also to celebrate the legacy of the Wilsonart brand. The LED strip lighting that is engineered into the underside of the quartz countertop and shelves give this island a soft glow.
Wilsonart uses a complementary walnut wood laminate to pair with two surfaces from the new quartz line. The wood grain with stamped soft grain finish makes for a neutral background to better showcase the movement and veining in the quartz on the countertop and back wall.
WILSONART LAMINATE SURFACES
Just because Wilsonart has been successfully marketing laminate surfaces for 60 years doesn’t mean they should rest on their laurels, and they don’t. The company continues to grow because they are constantly improving on their product and incorporate the characteristics that are important to today’s consumers. For those for which green design is a priority, I am happy to report that Wilsonart laminate surfaces are LEED certified and are made of recycled product. Those familiar with green design know that oftentimes green design comes at a price. However, this is not the case with Wilsonart laminate surfaces, and when using Wilsonart, the consumer need not sacrifice style or money to practice eco-friendly design.
Wilsonart wants the consumer to think of laminate in a new way. Laminate surfaces are “no longer your grandmother’s laminate”. In fact, Danny Seo, former magazine editor and sustainability expert refers to Wilsonart laminate as “glaminate” – a glamorous laminate. Long gone are the brown lines that those of us who grew up in the 70s associated with laminated surfaces. With more colors and patterns than anyone could possibly wish for, the choices are endless. Above are six different and contrasting laminates that are cut and seamed into one striking pattern on a kitchen wall. Below, four types of laminate are used, including Chalkboard laminate (which as the name implies, can be used as a chalkboard) and the patterned Kasbah Bombay on the wall, one of 150 designs in the Wilsonart Virtual Design Library, a library of laminate designs that include geometrics, sports motifs, nature, and woodgrains.
WILSONART AND CUSTOMIZATION
And if that isn’t enough, Wilsonart recently launched a new program, Wilsonart x You, where ANYTHING is possible. If you can supply the artwork, Wilsonart can make your custom design into reality in a laminate surface. Customization and personalization has been the big buzz in the design world for the past couple of years, and brands and manufacturers are giving the consumer what they want. We tailor our coffee and pizzas to our exact specifications, why not do the same with the surfaces in our homes?
Above are some of the offerings in the Wilsonart laminate collection that include HD printed wood grain, solid colors, and HD marble and granite. When budget plays a major factor in a remodel, using Wilsonart laminate in a high-res stone, marble or wood is always an option to get the look for far less than the real thing. In addition to the designs on these rings are the many prints and patterns included in the Virtual Design Library. If you take into account the possibilities with Wilson x You, the options are infinite.
