Exhibit 24.2

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby
constitutes and appoints Vincent Langone and David Schneider, and each of them,
his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to Formica Corporation's registration statement on
Form S-1 (No. 333-76683) and any and all additional registration statements
pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their or his substitute or
substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


                                                          /s/  William Adams
                                                          ----------------------
                                                               William Adams