Regarding the Formica V. Trim question: Since you asked, I will tell you.... I can't picture Formica in anything but a tract house. Durable and easy to clean? - yes; cool custom? - not so much. I believe that inside every ugly oak tree, a dinette, hutch, headboard, mantle (etc) are just dying to get out. Trim is, in my humble opinion, trim... like wrapping paper on a gift, accents around useful items that make them more than functional, but attractive, ornate, or thoughtfully designed. It is the frame of the picture, and while not the picture, makes the picture more complete and appropriate for its' setting.
The work you are doing here is high-quality custom stuff, and again, in my humble opinion, is worthy of some fine wooden trim, and your skills deserve to be seen and appreciated.
Since you asked, I'm just sayin'....