My $.02: I don't think picture-frame wainscoting is stylistically appropriate or practical for a bathroom. Also, painted MDF could seem cheap, especially in a home with solid wood wainscoting in other rooms, and I'm not sure how it would hold up it in a room/climate that is subject to mold. While I like true beadboard in vintage baths, it's often used just because it's trendy, fast, and cheap (if you use any of the various imitation beadboard products). Beadboard would look good with your Memoirs toilet and pedestal sink, but may seem too cottage-y for the rest of your house. My first preference would be for tile wainscoting, which need not be expensive in a small space if you shop around and do the tiling yourself. Are you really sure you can't use it? Unless the seasonal movement is really extreme (in which case you must have problems with all of your walls and wainscoting), you should be able to use tile as long as you have the proper surface, use small tiles, and flexible grout. (I'm no expert, but that's what I've been told.) Another option would be to simply install a chair rail around the perimeter of the room. You could then use different colors for the upper and lower walls, or paint the lower wall and use wallpaper or stenciling on the upper part (although extreme house movement could sabotage wallpaper).

Well I do plan a more extensive makeover next year or the year after with vanity and countertop replacement and probably floor, and tile backsplash...but I just can't stand looking at this "1980 rental apartment" bathroom every morning for an indefinite period! Thanks for the tile frame idea that's great! It would not take a lot if tile and could really dress things up! Yes I think the light fixture has got to go- but with what? I have never picked light fixtures before and don't know where to start- it is the only source of light and the shower is on the other side of the room so it needs to throw some light up to the ceiling as well as down. I thought of building some kind of soffit like shade in front of it and then using brighter bulbs... Does that sound crazy? So what about several shades lighter of revere pewter for ceiling or should I just go white? Maybe a darker color in the same taupey grey family for the ugly vanity... And I'll add hardware to dress it up. This post was edited by tinan on Tue, Jul 16, 13 at 12:26

Post on the Paint forum. The pro's there are very generous with their great advice.

Oh my goodness -- I agree with pennydesign -- can't you sell this to somebody who would love it as it is? Each drawer has a different design painted on. This is not a thoughtlessly decorated piece of furniture. Where did you get it?