One of my coworkers was saying that she is considering getting formica for her kitchen counters. We have a table and cabinet in our country house with formica, and it's pretty tough stuff. The Formica Corp. website (
Formica Corporation - North America) has some really nice new designs too. The laminate products look like they are pretty widely distributed (they are in our local Home Depot and Lowe's at least). Maybe check it out--