Last month we joined Formica at the Builder’s Show to celebrate their 100th anniversary and to preview the new Anniversary Collection. The range stands out immediately for its bold use of color and distinctive patterns — a clear departure from safe, neutral surfaces.
The collection was created exclusively for Formica Group by Pentagram, the world’s largest independent design consultancy. Pentagram partner Abbott Miller led the project, introducing new motifs and hues to Formica’s palette that feel fresh yet respectful of the brand’s design legacy.
The Anniversary Collection includes twelve new patterns organized into four families: the Ellipse Collection, the Endless Collection, the Dotscreen Collection, and the Halftone Collection. Each family explores geometry and texture in a way that highlights Formica’s surface-printing capabilities.
“The patterns and colors of the Anniversary Collection acknowledge the brand’s past — especially with designers such as Brooks Stevens and Raymond Loewy — but without delving into nostalgia,” said Miller. “While the collection aligns with the brand’s heritage, it offers surfacing design that is unique in the market. It also was satisfying to know that we were pushing the technical boundaries of print.”
The new patterns dovetail neatly with the mid-century modern trend that continues to influence interiors. The designs work particularly well with clean, white backdrops — for example, they can add visual interest and a focal point to kitchens dominated by white cabinets and tile. They also pair effectively with mixed-material countertops, bringing a playful, yet sophisticated, contrast to natural stone or wood surfaces.
Because the motifs have a nostalgic feel without feeling dated, they’re versatile enough for many applications beyond the kitchen. A child’s table or a small countertop could be instantly enlivened by the colorful patterns, while a larger kitchen island or accent wall could benefit from a more restrained pick from the Ellipse or Halftone families.
Formica’s Anniversary Collection demonstrates how surface design can be both technically advanced and broadly appealing, offering fresh options for homeowners, designers, and architects looking to layer personality into a space.
See additional images in the Formica Anniversary Collection slideshow and visit Formica.com for more details on the collection and ordering information.