Opinions on formica kitchen counter tops

[Knowwhatimeanjellybean]

We are building our own house & very much going for the country cottage look.

The only option for kitchen worktops in my opinion is wood but I have heard so many stories about its upkeep, staining, oiling, cost etc that I'm not sure I want it. So what's the opinions on good quality formica? The block wood style obviously....

Note: really not interested in anything slick like granite/slate/quartz.

I had wooden worktops in a flat when I lived in Milan.

Never Again.

When we moved out here in the sticks into a really old farmhouse I was worried formica would look wrong with all the beams and stuff. But it looks fine. Really cheap stuff too.

It's easy to wash, hard wearing and isn't a pain in the arse to look after. Plus it was that cheap that if I get bored I can always replace it.

we've got wood and I love it, the small bit of maintainance is worth it for natural feeling and look however, my in laws have formica in their very expensive kitchen and it looks gorgeous they have a wood style but dark so not in country style

That's it, I'm going for the formica! Have been googling images this afternoon & I think I'm happy with my decision. As much as natural wood would be very nice, I'm not up for the maintenance (too lazy..)