Wow. This story is proof that primary reporting is important and that I should never “assume.” For years, I have known about Ceco Sinks — but looking at their website I had assumed that they were manufacturing their sinks — all porcelain enamel on cast iron — for Kohler and other companies. Well, an email from reader Sarah prompted me to finally call them and argh, I learned that they are actually competitors — yes, they are another source altogether — for cast iron bathroom and kitchen sinks. And importantly, and the subject of this first story about the company and its products: They make two designs of metal rim — aka hudee ring — bathroom sinks that include both 4″ and 8″ spreads for the faucet. This is important news to Retro Renovators, because Kohler recently discontinued the 8″ spread on their similar Tahoe model, leaving those of us who prefer an 8″ spread with only vintage options to consider.
The two Ceco bathroom sinks you want to look at are under the “Lavatories” section of their website“.
Above: The #580 and #581 Maui sink — one model number is for the 4″ spread, the other, for 8″ spread — read the details. Kohler makes a sink similar to this — their Tahoe — but today it is available only with a 4″ spread.
Above: The #578 Kauai — looks like there’s just one model number (?) — be sure to specify 4″ or 8″.
Like their other products, Ceco’s two hudee-rimmed bathroom sinks come in six colors: White, biscuit, almond, bone, black and platinum (similar to Kohler’s ice grey, Ceco told me). Alas, prior to 2009, Ceco offered up to 50 colors. But the Great Recession and related factors forced Ceco to streamline their product line.
Even so, it’s great to have these two bathroom sink options available — especially because it’s also difficult today to find a good, retro-styled 4″ spread faucet. My favorite option for an 8″ model is the 8″ Mississippi bathroom faucet from Strom Plumbing — their 4″ model is no longer available. I used the 8″ Mississippis in two of my bathrooms, I love them.
How to buy a Ceco sink
Ceco Sinks is a wholesaler — they do not sell directly to the public. To order one of their sinks, try a local plumbing supply store (not a big box store, though) to see if they can order the sink for you. If you have any trouble, call the company, and they can direct you to the nearest regional distributor.
The company tells me their prices are competitive with — maybe even 10-15% less than –Kohler, as one example. However, depending on how close you are to a distributor, shipping charges may be required, which would affect the total price.
5 designs of kitchen sinks with hudees:
- Important additional news: Ceco has five designs of porcelain enamel cast iron kitchen sinks with hudees, too. Read my story here.
Noah says
I am in the process of getting a nice retro house in Cincinnati. I had a plumber come in to give me quotes on getting things back up and running as the house has sat empty with the water off for aprox 10 years. The facets in a jack n jill bathroom are what he is calling Crane DialESE ?? he said parts are not available if the valves are bad or the pop up drains.
Is this true?
pam kueber says
we have several stories on this – use the search box they should come right up
tip: deabath.com
Anastasia K says
Hello!
Thank you for the informative article and comments. Hubby and I moved into a wonderful 1957 ranch one year ago, and we promised ourselves to live here without making changes for a while. I am so glad that I did, because now I adore EVERYTHING about both of our bathrooms (all original except lighting and towel bars). The only problem is that one of our original cast iron bathroom sinks has corrosion and rust in the “apron” piece underneath the main basin. So it doesn’t look like it leaks, but it leaks slowly underneath (where it cannot be seen) and winds up on the bottom of the cabinet. I am reluctant to buy a replacement if I can repair the original. Has anybody ever repaired one? I would love some suggestions, as we are new to the world of mid-century renovations. Thanks!
sarah says
yeah! So happy my tip helped 🙂 keep up the good work, I’m a big fan of the site…it’s my remodel style “go to”
pam kueber says
Thanks, Sarah!!!!!
Rebecca says
This is a good one! This was a big deal to me!
pam kueber says
Sorry I did not find out about this sooner. I feel like I let you down! poo
Lisa Compo says
I was disappointed to read they are now only offered in “greige”, I was really liking the royal blue and that lovely green. White with the hudee ring would like nice I guess…crisp and clean.
This conversation could turn into one of those fun banter back and forth of ideas. I liked Mary Elizabeth’s comment, but I see it in a different way. Having my mug of tea, I thought I would throw out my ideas into the chat today. I may be totally wrong but…
There was a building boom at that time and so there were plenty of customers for whatever companies wanted to sell. I don’t think homeowners ever considered the words “trendy” or “resale” value. Most that I know of built their homes to stay in their whole lives (like marriages back then). The “Mr.” had one, life long, good job at the plant, factory, agency or wherever and so people didn’t have to move around as much, so they weren’t overly concerned with what the next buyer might want, because there usually wasn’t a next buyer. The “Mrs.” picked out what she liked and most of the marketing was geared toward making women feel like they had the best and most up to date furnishings. (I love the old ads from that time). Mrs. Jones down the street has a white stove, but we can offer you this new turquoise one at no extra cost. 🙂
So, I see the color availability back then as a way for companies to look like they were on the cutting edge of home fashion. After her children, the home was a lady’s pride and joy. The more items they had to offer, the more they could outsell their competitors. Products were built to last back then, so I don’t think people decorated with the idea to redecorate in a few years. I think that is why so many of these nice vintage things are still around, because they were quality and people didn’t just discard them like we do nowadays.
Our society has drastically changed, jobs have become harder to keep so naturally our homes need to be less about personal style because you may need to resell because of being transferred, or needing to relocate more often. I think economic evolution has driven us to the need to accept “griege” as the norm (unless you have a vintage house). We can no longer put down the roots of those of our grandparents, you may have to move in 6 months to stay employed. “We better just go with the beige, it will be easier when we resell”. 🙁
pam kueber says
no no no: White is not greige!
Lisa Compo says
Whoops..I didn’t mean to imply that white was a part of the “griege” scheme. White is a timeless beauty that stands alone. 🙂
pam kueber says
I think both you and Mary Elizabeth made good points.
I tend to agree, fundamentally, that back in the day folks did not think they would be continually moving… yes, Mr. had a job that looked like it would last for life, so they built the house they wanted, not one to “resell”. That said: Pinks and mint greens and the baby blues we love — all fashionable at the time, so these folks were buying what “was trendy” at that time.
Also, I think it’s important to add: It was a time of optimism — and of relief that the Great Depression and WWII were finally over. Being dirt poor is… dreary, to say the least. Once Mr. and Mrs. finally had some money in their pockets, they were super happy to use some of it to bring more color into their homes. In addition, the new, modern materials were impermeable — they would resist the dirt and grunge that had been the bane of cleaners for decades, even for hundreds of years: Latex paint! Colorful, easy to clean laminate! Even: Electric appliances to replace coal and wood. “Color! We can finally have and easily maintain lots of color in our homes! We’ll take it!”
Mary Elizabeth says
I don’t disagree with anything either Pam or Lisa has said. I think color and optimism go hand-in-hand, and it’s a chicken-and-egg sort of thing. Our environments shape our moods as our moods determine how we arrange our environments. Who could be what the war generation called a “Gloomy Gus” in an aqua kitchen or yellow and white bathroom?
Jason Perry says
Mom had the same sofa, chairs and Lane tables in the living room for 22 years!!!! Dining room furniture changed only once, with old set going to my brother. Kitchen table and chairs stayed for 22 years, too, but were reupholstered. I think that if dad had lived longer and my older brother hadn’t decided to move to Florida, we all might have lived in that house much longer. The house I have in Florida is Mom’s…..she passed in 2008. A 1985 ranch. I am half/ass retro decorating Mad Men style trying to do retro projects that provide the style and feel without the expense of demolition and reconstruction. Changing the bathroom sinks and vanity countertops is one of those types projects. I was going to go with the Tahoe, but was anticipating having to rebuild the vanity to accommodate the size, until I saw the Ceco brand sinks, which may drop into the existing hole with the Hudee ring or only require minimal enlarging of the hole. What I wanted to note is that the bathroom tubs, toilets and sinks are that u*** [edited] Almond color and with the lack of availability of matching color sets and my minimal reconstruct budget, I will just have to stay with Almond……but with a Hudee ring sink! Of course, I could just live with the bathrooms the way they are and save the money……NAW!!! Thanks for your website, Pam!
Anne-Marie says
A question for folks who have hudee rings: do you have any problems with soap scum and crumbs getting stuck between the ring and the sink? I have a childhood memory of trying to scrub around one and never being able to get it clean. It seemed like there was a constant build up of soap and toast crumbs. I would fantasize about cleaning under it with a knife. It just drove me nuts. Even writing about the memory rekindles my desire to get that thing clean. Anyhow, we lived in a trailer house & nothing was of the finest quality so that may have been a factor. I would love to know what other peoples’ experiences have been.
pam kueber says
I have a hudee-rimmed kitchen sink — it came with my 1963 salvaged kitchen, was even disassembled then reassembled. I have no problems with it whatsoever. I wonder if this is a “fit” issue with some vs. others.
Anne-Marie Cory says
Ahhh, very good to hear. Thanks. I might have to install one just to finally get past that early childhood trauma.
Robin, NV says
I have the same problem with my self rimming kitchen sink. It’s probably a fit issue more than anything.
Scott says
I just put in the Kohler this fall with my new countertop and the fit is so snug you can’t even get a fingernail under the ring.
Of course my installer knew what a “Hudee” was so maybe that put me in good hands. 🙂
pam kueber says
hehe, yes, maybe “what is a hudee” should be a screening questions for contractors and other professionals we let into our houses!
Mary Elizabeth says
Anne-Marie, I do think it’s a matter of quality and proper installation. The Hudee ring in my summer kitchen sink has no problems whatsoever, and it is from 1959. In fact, the only thing wrong with that 55 year-old porcelain sink is that, because it’s the only sink in the basement, generations of do-it-yourselfers have just dumped paint brushes and whatever in there without cleaning out the stains. A tiny bit of the tried and true aluminum and stainless steel cleaner Cameo on a rag, followed by a warm water rinse and polish should perk it up if it ever gets dull. The woman who sold me my house told me her mother used to scrub around the edge with a soft toothbrush, and I recommend that for any place (like around bath faucets) that grunge tends to accumulate. The only place the original homeowner had trouble was with the chrome trim around her counters,upstairs and downstairs. Believe me, if I am able to rejuvenate my porcelain sink, I’ll make sure all painters clean up after themselves. Including me. 🙂
Anne-Marie says
I really appreciate all the feedback here. I love the look of Hudee rings. They make the sink and counter-top look neat and tidy. In general, am a huge fan of trim and all the little details that make for a thoughtfully finished look, but have been very nervous about installing a hudee because I wan’t sure I could keep it clean.
Now however, I am about to embark on a bath remodel, and I am ready to embrace a hudee!
Sam R says
The one remaining original sink in ’54 House is a Coral pink, Hudee-rimmed Briggs. That one had some sort of sealant between the sink and the ring, but it’s gotten kind of crumbly and needs to be replaced. One of these days I’ll take it all apart and sort it out.
Eliza says
I can’t get behind installing an enameled cast iron sink. I’m in my second house with the original enameled cast iron and I am so stinking sick of rust and pops. The enamel pops off the sink in chunks and you have to cover it up with special enamel fixer that looks like a patch (because it is a patch) and the area around the overflow drain hole is a constant rusty mess that drips rust lines down into the sink. Porcelain Porcelain Porcelain!!!!!
lynda says
And sometimes porcelain can crack if something is dropped in the sink. I make everything in the medicine cabinet is in plastic, so a drop would not cause a problem. I think the steel with enamel are the worst offenders.
pam kueber says
It is my belief that if you do not use acidic or abrasive cleansers on a porcelain enamel cast iron sink or tub — it will last forever.
Sam R says
I have two Regency Blue (American) “Standard” brand sinks. Both have some rust around the overflow, but I plan to get some properly colored repair enamel and sort it out once and for all.
Mary Elizabeth says
Lovely sinks! Too bad the Hudee-ring lavatories come only in the standard modern “greige” colors (as Pam calls them), but even in bisque or white, the style will give a great vintage look to the bath.
Something occurred to me when Pam mentioned the recession being responsible for Ceco reducing their color choices. One reason the fifies and sixties companies offered so many choices in kitchen and bath fixtures was that business was booming across the country and people had plenty of money to experiment with colors. They did not worry that the colors would go out of style in 20 years, because they figured they could just redo their kitchens or baths when that happened. Nowadays, homeowners tend to be more conservative in making color choices for things like tubs or appliances because we figure we are going to live with them for a long time. Those of us who like the peppy color combinations of mid-century houses are fully aware that if we spend money retro-renovating that we have to REALLY like those colors, as we will be living with them for a long time. So I guess we are not afraid of changing fashions but just like what we like.
Robin, NV says
I believe you’re right. Economic recessions generally lead to conservative tastes in all kinds of things – home decor, car colors, etc. People tend to think harder about stuff like resale value and longevity. My own experience has been slightly different. Since the “great recession” I’ve actually been better off financially than I ever have been. But the weird thing is, I find my situation embarrasing. In my case, my choices tend to be conservative because I don’t want to be a show off when lots of people aren’t doing well.