-- Combine Laminate Countertops with Backsplashes
Made of Tile, Metal, Granite for Today’s Look --

TEMPLE,Texas, Feb. 8, 2005 – Wilsonart® Laminate believes it’s time to mix things up in the kitchen.   Laminate countertops with matching laminate backsplashes are no longer the only design option.  In fact, pairing countertops of any material with a matching backsplash is no longer considered cutting edge.  The way to incorporate creativity, intrigue and style into the kitchen is to combine countertops and backsplashes made from different materials.  Says New York-based interior designer Elaine Griffin, “Matchy-matchy in kitchens – just as everywhere else in the house – is a no-no.  What gives a room warmth and personality is mixing up textures, patterns and colors.”

Mix a laminate countertop with a stainless steel or tile backsplash, for example, and watch as the contrasting elements grab attention as opposed to blending into the background.   “The backsplash is the place to introduce contrasting color,” says Griffin.   “It’s a place for fun and experimentation.  It’s like adding glitzy earrings to a somber suit.” 

Griffin is a contributing editor to Elle Décor and is ranked as one of House Beautiful’s 125 top American designers.  Her work has also appeared in The New York Times and O at Home and she has been featured on “Everyday Elegance with Colin Cowie,” “The Maury Povich Show” and the WE Network’s “She House,” among other shows.

Backsplashes are also ideal places to introduce more expensive materials because much smaller amounts are required compared with countertops.   Countertops made from expensive tile, pricey stainless steel or a luxurious stone, such as granite, commonly cost thousands of dollars.   However, homeowners can pair an economically priced laminate countertop with the stylish Wilsonart Beveled Edge for under $1,000 and then create a backsplash from a different material while staying in sync with today’s trend of mixing materials. 

To stay up to date with the many looks of laminate when deciding upon countertop and backsplash design, remember that Wilsonart has collections that resemble most luxury surfacing materials.   Additionally, the Wilsonart Beveled Edge adds a high-end look to countertops while hiding the tell-tale brown seam.  Below is a brief list of some of the most popular Wilsonart collections:

• Roca– Celebrates the beauty of naturally aged, time-worn stone.
• Fusion – Achieves the elegant look of expensive marble.
• MesaGranite® – Expertly resembles highly polished granite.
• Topaz – Mimics the slick look and feel of engineered stone.
• Mystique® – Showcases the premium look of solid surface.
• LS Series – Features patterns with a subtle pearlescent sheen as opposed to a high-gloss reflective shine.
• MetalFX – Metallic laminate patterns that resemble brushed stainless steel, and include some highly textured patterns.
• Decorative Metals – Real metal for vertical or ceiling applications.  Reflective values range from brushed to mirror quality and patterns showcase aluminum, bronze, copper, titanium and gold hues. 

Wilsonart International, based in Temple, Texas, is a leading manufacturer of decorative surfacing products, including Wilsonart® Laminate.  The company’s laminate was a nominee in the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum's National Design Awards. 

For more information about Wilsonart Laminate or any Wilsonart product, please call the Customer Service Hotline at 800-433-3222, or visit www.countertop.com

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	Kitchen featuring Bronze Fusion on counters and Alumasteel on backsplash		Kitchen features Natural Roca on counters with a tile backsplash