We have the one we bought when we bought our first flat 30 years ago. It is awful - cheap pine, ugly legs, top moves a bit - but obviously I love it and will be laid out on it when the time comes.
I have my mother’s early 60s lilac Formica table in our store, waiting for me to spruce it up. The odd thing is that it’s neither drop-leaf nor does it have a spindly frame with angled- out legs. Instead it’s solid farmhouse style and seats 6-8. Can’t see anything similar online. Odd.
My grandfather who was a keen DIYer went through a phase of sticking sheet Formica to everything. I still remember how you had to ‘cut’ it (Stanleyknife and snap) and how it was stuck on with Evo-stick (two layers, let them dry before laying on the sheet). I bet that under the purple Formica, there’s a lovely old table that someone once felt the need to ‘improve’.
I’m going to give it a good examination. It’s definitely Formica not Fablon, although I remember that grim plastification only too well. Note books, doors, you name it. And, can’t believe it, but my husband has just told me he worked in the factory at Willington Quay as an Applications Engineer testing it met British Standards! I am gob-smacked.
Nostalgic thoughts of the Formica of my childhood: one of my grandparent’s houses had a cheery blue, the other a depressing brown. And then church halls, and school, and a favourite greasy spoon. Quite the journey through time.
Ah the details!! Can't wait to see the book, Tim - and would be fascinated to see some photos of your set-ups.
We have the one we bought when we bought our first flat 30 years ago. It is awful - cheap pine, ugly legs, top moves a bit - but obviously I love it and will be laid out on it when the time comes.
Shhhhhhh! What ever will people think???
I have my mother’s early 60s lilac Formica table in our store, waiting for me to spruce it up. The odd thing is that it’s neither drop-leaf nor does it have a spindly frame with angled- out legs. Instead it’s solid farmhouse style and seats 6-8. Can’t see anything similar online. Odd.
My grandfather who was a keen DIYer went through a phase of sticking sheet Formica to everything. I still remember how you had to ‘cut’ it (Stanleyknife and snap) and how it was stuck on with Evo-stick (two layers, let them dry before laying on the sheet). I bet that under the purple Formica, there’s a lovely old table that someone once felt the need to ‘improve’.
(My Nan, BTW favoured Fablon. The brightening Wonder-material aka ‘Stickyback Plastic’)
I’m going to give it a good examination. It’s definitely Formica not Fablon, although I remember that grim plastification only too well. Note books, doors, you name it. And, can’t believe it, but my husband has just told me he worked in the factory at Willington Quay as an Applications Engineer testing it met British Standards! I am gob-smacked.
OMG! That’s unbelievable. I see a Fablon rabbithole yawning open to welcome us.
How could I have lived with a Fablon expert for 50 years and not known. Flabbergasted.
He was only 19 btw
That wasn't a UTI, that was an STI lol. Erythromycin is used to treat those but has limited efficacy against the former.
Nostalgic thoughts of the Formica of my childhood: one of my grandparent’s houses had a cheery blue, the other a depressing brown. And then church halls, and school, and a favourite greasy spoon. Quite the journey through time.