I'm having a day like this today, so I can definitely understand how you're feeling. Can you post some pictures so we can see? Maybe someone will have some suggestions or ideas on it.

I think we've all been there. Pics would help folks make specific suggestions.

Almost nothing looks right without the accessories so you may not need to repaint. However, sometimes changing the paint color can pull it all together.

In terms of the tile floor I bet you find a nice area rug that really makes the space perfect.

Did you check the types of light bulbs used? I hate the 'cool white' ones. I think they make things look cold. My husband loves them but I insist on 'soft white' for the house. But others have told me they also love them so I guess it depends on how your eye processes them.

I do have pics but was too tired tonight to try and figure out how to post them, I will try and do it tomorrow. As far as the lighting, in the vanity lights which are the only lights in that room, they are clear glass, I got the highest wattage it would allow and it is still not light enough. In the tub room the light will only take a 60 watt and yes that one is a warm light bulb, but it just isn't bright enough for me. I have been looking for something else but so far no luck. 2 other things I really don't like is that the electrician put the plug ins to the left of the sinks and I am right handed, and he also wired for a tv high up on the wall which is the first wall you see when you go in there..
When I was in the store the quartz looked incredible, I loved it, but in my bathroom, that too just looks cold.

I was also going to chime in on the lighting. Tell us what types of fixtures and bulbs you have. And pictures of the room could help.

Are any of the lights compact fluorescent bulbs? I've found most of them to be whiter or bluer than the warmer, yellow "soft white" light. In our kitchen, where we have a number of recessed lights, I've tried replacing some flood bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to try to be more environmentally sound -- but I just don't like 'em. Some people prefer a whiter light for bathroom makeup, as it's truer to outdoor light, but like mic111, I generally like warmer light. Depending on the types of fixtures you have, there may be other ways to warm the feel of the light by changing the fixture, the bulbs, the glass, even adding a colored gel. If it's just too bright, are the lights on dimmers to allow you to drop the lighting level a bit? One way or another, fixing the tone of the lighting is definitely do-able.

-- Eric

It's pretty easy to post pics using a service like Tinypic. You just need to upload your pictures to Tinypic. If you use the resize option pick "message board" size. Then after they are uploaded you will have the option of several codes to copy. Use the HTML for websites. Copy it and paste it right here into your post.

Brown walls in bathrooms are tough. It sounds like you don't care for pink...how do you feel about peach? My mom repainted her bathroom, after the turquoise color she loved, looked too cold. Pink and peach are much more flattering, especially when you're putting on make-up. Turquoise is not...I'm guessing the brown isn't very good, either.

She chose a nice, soft coral/peach color and she loves it. She only has one small, frosted window, but the color has really brightened things up.

I'd start with the new paint. The dark wood will absorb some light, so even with the new paint color, you might need to install some more lighting. Start with the paint color and see how that works.

As to the floor, get a few nice big rugs...either white of peach, and use them on the floor. It will warm things up and cover up a little of the tile.

If you're trying to achieve a beach, cottage spa...try adding some small wicker baskets for storage, candles, and maybe a few, small, low-light plants. That will make a big difference, too. Peach and green accents will definitely warm up your quartz and dark brown...making them the elegant background you had originally envisioned...but bringing in the cottage side.

Hope this helps...and remember, put a thick towel in the tub and stand on a stool, if it helps you reach the areas you need to paint. I actually got a big ladder into mom's little bathroom, when I painted it :)

The light bulbs can certainly make the world of difference. When I recently remodeled my hall bath I was disgusted with
the results until I changed my bulbs. I used a sage paint on the walls which looked awful with the cool bulbs in vanity light. When I switched them out with Sylvania Reveal bulbs and it softened and complemented the earth tones.

I agree with the light bulbs -- keep looking. Some CFLs are warmer, some are medium, and some are cold-light-of-arctic-circle, so don't think that if you've tried one or two, you've tried them all. You can also get up to the equivalent of 150 watts with less than 60 watts of draw, as long as the bulb can fit in the fixture and you don't use a dimmer. (there are dimmable fluorescents but they're *rather* expensive).

Another idea: is there a way to keep maybe the hardest-to-paint wall the original color, but then repaint other walls that are easier to paint? The original color wouldn't be so oppressive if you put up something to contextualize it, as it were.

pics would definitely help.

Before painting the walls, test some paint colors on 12 x 12 inch (or larger) poster boards. Test at various times of day, under different lighting sources. You really cannot see the undertones on a tiny chip -- you need to use a bigger swatch. And don't be surprised that it might take many trials to find the right color. That's to expected. You really cannot shortcut the process.