Last place to get new pink and pastel toilets and sinks — Peerless — now gone
Kate - Updated: October 12, 2021
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
And then there was one. Gerber has officially ceased producing their specialty toilet colors: Bahama Pink, Dawn Blue, Silver and Jamaican Beige. That leaves us only one source for new pastel-color toilets, Peerless.
2021 UPDATE: Pastel colored sinks and toilets NO LONGER AVAILABLE from either Peerless or Gerber. (It seems that Peerless closed down completely in Dec. 2020.) Stay tuned, though, the former distributor for Peerless is looking for another option for pastel colored potties and sinks — fingers crossed.
Gerber discontinues production of its pastel fixtures, including a reader favorite Bahama Pink
Gerber halted production on these four colors about a year ago due to lack of demand, and according to company spokespeople, there is only limited stock of these colors left, and no more will be produced. If you have been planning to replace or remodel your bathroom using one of these colors from Gerber, the time to try and track one down is now.
Kate’s Gerber Viper toilet in Bahama Pink.
We first learned of this news from reader Nancy, who tried to order a Bahama Pink Gerber toilet to replace the pink potty in her vintage bathroom.
Nancy writes:
After all the great ideas and encouragement regarding my dilemma with my bathroom outfitted with its original “pink furniture,” I did “embrace the pink.” The next step was ordering a pink toilet from Gerber (thanks to all the comments & help from your followers).
A phone call to Gerber provided me with details, cost, style #’s, etc. and instructions that the order had to be made via a plumbing contractor. I knew production was to be about 10 weeks. Fast forward to last week when I thought I should be hearing something. A call to Gerber was answered with the need for the PO number in order to track it.
A call to the plumbing contractor produced the words I did not want to hear. He said he had been told by Gerber the PO was cancelled (he no longer has the #) because they were no longer manufacturing “Bahama Pink” toilets! Of course, none of this info has filtered down to the Internet.
Obviously, I am now very disappointed. A few inquiries produced small leads with extremely outrageous prices for original Porcelain Thrones or parts thereof. Guess I could purchase a white one & hire an artist to paint pink flamingoes on it!
Woe is me…..and a look towards Plan B….which needs to be fast tracked as there is a growing crack in the pink tank. A small crack, several months ago, was the catalyst for this journey that has now stalled at a dead-end road.
I checked in with my contact at Gerber, Toni LeNoir, Marketing Analysis, Fixtures, who confirmed the bad news.
Toni writes:
We will continue to manufacture VC products in white, and most items in biscuit (-09) and select sku’s in bone/wheat (-25). It was decided last year to discontinue the premium colors for all VC products. The demand just wasn’t there for the premium colors.
Gerber rotunda style lav sink, model number 12-894-21
Toni also noted that this color discontinuation includes lavatory sinks. That means that the only colors of vitreous china products made by Gerber from this point out will be white, biscuit and bone/wheat.
Knowing our readers will want to snap up any remaining stock, I asked Toni how the average homeowner could get ahold of any remaining specialty color stock. Toni said the best way to check availability is to contact the Customer Care Department for stock availability at 1-866-538-5536 to check stock status for any of Gerber’s products.
Trying to locate and purchase a Gerber toilet or lavatory sink in Bahama Pink, Dawn Blue, Silver or Jamaican Beige?
Contact the Customer Care Department at Gerber 1-866-538-5536 to check stock status
Try Decor Island 1-800-440-5919 — several readers have been able to purchase specialty color toilets through Decor Island. This is where I ordered theGerber Viper Bahama Pink toilet for my retro bathroom. I recommend calling, as the customer service department is very helpful and should be able to tell you if they can get you what you need right away. Note: We’re now seeing these toilets listed for sale via Decor Island and another company online – for $750. Yes, when something becomes rare, the price goes up.
Still looking for a colorful toilet — try Peerless
As of 6/1/15, I contacted Matt Ford, National Sales Manager at Peerless Pottery who tells me that all of their fixtures except those crossed out on the graphic above are available in all of their colors — including 19 toilet styles, 2 pedestal sinks, 1 undermount sink, 2 drop in sinks and 4 wall mount sinks. See Peerless Pottery’s online catalog for more information on available styles.
Don’t forget about Peerless Pottery, which (as of 6/1/15) still offers several colors of sinks and toilets including Bone, Venetian Pink, Glacier White, Biscuit, Beige, Sterling Silver, Dresden Blue and Harvest Gold. This is now the only place we know of where you can buy a newly produced toilet in retro colors.
2021 UPDATE: Pastel colored sinks and toilets NO LONGER AVAILABLE from either Peerless or Gerber. Stay tuned, though, the former distributor for Peerless is looking for another option.
I’ve been looking for a pink toilet to replace the white one in my all pink bathroom. I was convined that I wanted the Gerber Bahama Pink, until I saw the Peerless Pottery Venetian Pink. THAT is the pink I’m looking for! Thanks!
oh Hollandsays
I sense the stirrings of an MCM-lovers rebellion … glitter laminates, metallic-shot boucles and friezes, and now fixtures-of-color are now next to impossible to find. You’d think manufacturers would recognize the market vacuum and rush in.
tammyCAsays
Boo! my dream of having a vintage inspired pink bathroom is evaporating.
pam kuebersays
get yer toilet while you can!
Note, i see gerbers still on Amazon. But the price has rocketed to $750
ineffablespacesays
I think the problem with installing any sort of vintage toilet, is, if you are renovating with permits, most jurisdictions would probably not allow them to be installed because of their water consumption.
They could probably be outfitted in such a way that they used less water, but the shape of the trapway is configured for more water per flush so they may not work all that well.
If you are simply replacing one toilet with another, you don’t need a permit in most jurisdictions.
Such sadness! We have a Bahama Pink toilet that we just love. It seems strange that just as these midcentury colors are gaining in popularity that they would choose to discontinue them. Sigh.
Mary Elizabethsays
The Peerless color Venetian Pink is about the same color as the Gerber Bahama Pink.
In fact, Gerber changed the name from Venetian to Bahama at some point. My 2013 low-flush Gerber Bahama Pink Viper matches my 1983 NOS Gerber Venetian Pink sink in my bath.
Again, I recommend calling around to all the mom and pop plumbing supply stores in your region to see if they have anything in their back rooms or warehouses. They might be willing to bargain with you to get rid of that old stock.
Another solution for people making a new retro bath, as Kate did, is to go with pink wall tile and and white fixtures. That combination was, indeed, one of the choices available in the 1950s and 1960s. The pink can be brought in with wallpaper, towels, painted vanity colors and accessories.
pam kuebersays
fyi, kate did all pink – pink tile and pink fixtures. but i agree with you: pink tile white fixtures – fine. need to see what kohler now offers, but you might be able to get new sinks and toilets in gray, too. tubs = likely difficult
Elizabeth Walterssays
Pam, you are so right (as always). My 1965 that I’m restoring to greatness has pink tile floors, counters, and walls; with white fixtures: floating toilet, “Dresslyn” apron sink, and tub. But I’m replacing a plain-old toilet in, of all places, the laundry room and thought I’d throw a pink one in there, even though it’s going to have new pink vinyl floors. Since pink is my favorite color, more is better!!
Carol I. Picciolosays
I ordered a Gerber Bahama Pink toilet last summer and have had this beautiful toilet stored in our garage for almost one year! Thank goodness that I was still able to purchase a pink toilet for my newly remodeled retro bathroom. I still have our Bahama Pink Tub. I need an elongated toilet seat and will have to order a Venetian Pink toilet seat. I just hope that the match will be fine. I have so many other retro decorating questions but am slowly learning while reading all of your messages.
Robin, NVsays
Noooooooooooo!! The Greige Nation wins again. *sobs*
ineffablespacesays
This started to become a moot point when colored bathtubs were no longer available. Once there were no more pink/blue/yellowbathtubs (the last three actual colors dropped by Kohler) , all you could do was replace a toilet or sink to match with something preexisting. (Or install a tiled floor shower like Kate did). But the death of the recreated pastel period bathroom came several years ago.
pam kuebersays
Yes, these are replacement items — or you could pair them with a shower, like Kate did in her bathroom. Two of my bathrooms have showers, only one has a tub.
Barbsays
After perusing all 48 pages of Peerless Pottery’s catalog – they only offer white, bone and biscuit. No pink. Another one bites the dust.
pam kuebersays
See Kate’s caption in the story above:
“As of 6/1/15, I contacted Matt Ford, National Sales Manager at Peerless Pottery who tells me that all of their fixtures except those crossed out on the graphic above are available in all of their colors — including 19 toilet styles, 2 pedestal sinks, 1 undermount sink, 2 drop in sinks and 4 wall mount sinks. See Peerless Pottery’s online catalog for more information on available styles.”
Lindelsays
Kate, Please let Nancy know that she might have an option to fixing her cracked tank. My spouse and I travel quite a bit and have run across a shop in Sarasota, Florida called Used Stuff on 1404 Central Avenue. It is a bit of a jumble BUT they have used vintage toilets in a rainbow of colors and manufacturers. Too, the have a very large supply of tank lids and parts again in a multiplicity of colors. We have commented on how easy it would be to recommend this place for someone in need of old toilet parts. The prices are reasonable and there are several other salvage shops along the same street that offer a variety of cool salvage items.
Stephaniesays
I agree to keep looking for other places. Community Forklift in the Maryland side (PG county) of the DC Metro area has a rainbow of colors of old sinks, toilets, tubs, etc. Next time there’s a relevant uploader I’ll post some pictures. I’ve seen some pink, yellow, mint, blue, etc. sinks for $25 so I bet you could get a suite for a good price. I’ve also seen a whole metal cabinet set for $1k, so deals are to be found, if you are willing to look for them. My local ReStore rarely has anything good anymore (they tend to have tons of 80s style brass light fixtures though, go figure), so keep an eye out for other places that may have what you want/need in vintage condition.
ineffablespacesays
Well, that’s depressing. But I am not really surprised.
Choosing a colored fixture is a commitment that the majority of people are not going to make, certainly not for new construction, and I doubt there is much volume in the replacement or historic renovation/restoration market. (Kohler still offers colors, various shades of beige and grey).
Everything fixed, durable, expensive, or takes effort to replace has to be “neutral” now, that’s the conventional wisdom.
“Make everything neutral and add ‘pops of color’ with accessories, ” is the mantra.
I participate in another forum where the above advice is standard. Once, recently, someone posted a set of fabrics and finishes that were a great combination of pattern, color and texture, and several people said:
“But this will limit your options in the future”.
As if this is a bad thing. Of course a strong palette will limit your options, everything doesn’t have to go with everything now and anything you might buy at some future point. But that seems to be the way middle-of-the-road-accessible design is going in America.
I’ve been interested in design long enough to remember when you could get subway tile from salvage or custom. Getting someone to repair leaded glass or stained glass windows was almost impossible. Getting someone to repair ornamental plaster was almost impossible. Eventually there were enough people who were interested in restoring something (it was old enough to transcent “dated”, and these possibilities entered the market again, and at more reasonable prices.
Maybe somebody will start making colored plumbing fixtures when the houses are 100 years old, I don’t know. But they will start out at premium prices.
And then there was one. Gerber has officially ceased producing their specialty toilet colors: Bahama Pink, Dawn Blue, Silver and Jamaican Beige. That leaves us only one source for new pastel-color toilets, Peerless.
Judy H. says
I’ve been looking for a pink toilet to replace the white one in my all pink bathroom. I was convined that I wanted the Gerber Bahama Pink, until I saw the Peerless Pottery Venetian Pink. THAT is the pink I’m looking for! Thanks!
oh Holland says
I sense the stirrings of an MCM-lovers rebellion … glitter laminates, metallic-shot boucles and friezes, and now fixtures-of-color are now next to impossible to find. You’d think manufacturers would recognize the market vacuum and rush in.
tammyCA says
Boo! my dream of having a vintage inspired pink bathroom is evaporating.
pam kueber says
get yer toilet while you can!
Note, i see gerbers still on Amazon. But the price has rocketed to $750
ineffablespace says
I think the problem with installing any sort of vintage toilet, is, if you are renovating with permits, most jurisdictions would probably not allow them to be installed because of their water consumption.
They could probably be outfitted in such a way that they used less water, but the shape of the trapway is configured for more water per flush so they may not work all that well.
If you are simply replacing one toilet with another, you don’t need a permit in most jurisdictions.
Heidi Swank says
Such sadness! We have a Bahama Pink toilet that we just love. It seems strange that just as these midcentury colors are gaining in popularity that they would choose to discontinue them. Sigh.
Mary Elizabeth says
The Peerless color Venetian Pink is about the same color as the Gerber Bahama Pink.
In fact, Gerber changed the name from Venetian to Bahama at some point. My 2013 low-flush Gerber Bahama Pink Viper matches my 1983 NOS Gerber Venetian Pink sink in my bath.
Again, I recommend calling around to all the mom and pop plumbing supply stores in your region to see if they have anything in their back rooms or warehouses. They might be willing to bargain with you to get rid of that old stock.
Another solution for people making a new retro bath, as Kate did, is to go with pink wall tile and and white fixtures. That combination was, indeed, one of the choices available in the 1950s and 1960s. The pink can be brought in with wallpaper, towels, painted vanity colors and accessories.
pam kueber says
fyi, kate did all pink – pink tile and pink fixtures. but i agree with you: pink tile white fixtures – fine. need to see what kohler now offers, but you might be able to get new sinks and toilets in gray, too. tubs = likely difficult
Elizabeth Walters says
Pam, you are so right (as always). My 1965 that I’m restoring to greatness has pink tile floors, counters, and walls; with white fixtures: floating toilet, “Dresslyn” apron sink, and tub. But I’m replacing a plain-old toilet in, of all places, the laundry room and thought I’d throw a pink one in there, even though it’s going to have new pink vinyl floors. Since pink is my favorite color, more is better!!
Carol I. Picciolo says
I ordered a Gerber Bahama Pink toilet last summer and have had this beautiful toilet stored in our garage for almost one year! Thank goodness that I was still able to purchase a pink toilet for my newly remodeled retro bathroom. I still have our Bahama Pink Tub. I need an elongated toilet seat and will have to order a Venetian Pink toilet seat. I just hope that the match will be fine. I have so many other retro decorating questions but am slowly learning while reading all of your messages.
Robin, NV says
Noooooooooooo!! The Greige Nation wins again. *sobs*
ineffablespace says
This started to become a moot point when colored bathtubs were no longer available. Once there were no more pink/blue/yellowbathtubs (the last three actual colors dropped by Kohler) , all you could do was replace a toilet or sink to match with something preexisting. (Or install a tiled floor shower like Kate did). But the death of the recreated pastel period bathroom came several years ago.
pam kueber says
Yes, these are replacement items — or you could pair them with a shower, like Kate did in her bathroom. Two of my bathrooms have showers, only one has a tub.
Barb says
After perusing all 48 pages of Peerless Pottery’s catalog – they only offer white, bone and biscuit. No pink. Another one bites the dust.
pam kueber says
See Kate’s caption in the story above:
“As of 6/1/15, I contacted Matt Ford, National Sales Manager at Peerless Pottery who tells me that all of their fixtures except those crossed out on the graphic above are available in all of their colors — including 19 toilet styles, 2 pedestal sinks, 1 undermount sink, 2 drop in sinks and 4 wall mount sinks. See Peerless Pottery’s online catalog for more information on available styles.”
Lindel says
Kate, Please let Nancy know that she might have an option to fixing her cracked tank. My spouse and I travel quite a bit and have run across a shop in Sarasota, Florida called Used Stuff on 1404 Central Avenue. It is a bit of a jumble BUT they have used vintage toilets in a rainbow of colors and manufacturers. Too, the have a very large supply of tank lids and parts again in a multiplicity of colors. We have commented on how easy it would be to recommend this place for someone in need of old toilet parts. The prices are reasonable and there are several other salvage shops along the same street that offer a variety of cool salvage items.
Stephanie says
I agree to keep looking for other places. Community Forklift in the Maryland side (PG county) of the DC Metro area has a rainbow of colors of old sinks, toilets, tubs, etc. Next time there’s a relevant uploader I’ll post some pictures. I’ve seen some pink, yellow, mint, blue, etc. sinks for $25 so I bet you could get a suite for a good price. I’ve also seen a whole metal cabinet set for $1k, so deals are to be found, if you are willing to look for them. My local ReStore rarely has anything good anymore (they tend to have tons of 80s style brass light fixtures though, go figure), so keep an eye out for other places that may have what you want/need in vintage condition.
ineffablespace says
Well, that’s depressing. But I am not really surprised.
Choosing a colored fixture is a commitment that the majority of people are not going to make, certainly not for new construction, and I doubt there is much volume in the replacement or historic renovation/restoration market. (Kohler still offers colors, various shades of beige and grey).
Everything fixed, durable, expensive, or takes effort to replace has to be “neutral” now, that’s the conventional wisdom.
“Make everything neutral and add ‘pops of color’ with accessories, ” is the mantra.
I participate in another forum where the above advice is standard. Once, recently, someone posted a set of fabrics and finishes that were a great combination of pattern, color and texture, and several people said:
“But this will limit your options in the future”.
As if this is a bad thing. Of course a strong palette will limit your options, everything doesn’t have to go with everything now and anything you might buy at some future point. But that seems to be the way middle-of-the-road-accessible design is going in America.
I’ve been interested in design long enough to remember when you could get subway tile from salvage or custom. Getting someone to repair leaded glass or stained glass windows was almost impossible. Getting someone to repair ornamental plaster was almost impossible. Eventually there were enough people who were interested in restoring something (it was old enough to transcent “dated”, and these possibilities entered the market again, and at more reasonable prices.
Maybe somebody will start making colored plumbing fixtures when the houses are 100 years old, I don’t know. But they will start out at premium prices.