I can't quite picture pale blue in the space. Is the painting on the wall staying? I can see some colors being pulled from it to pick a wall color. I have sherwin williams svelte sage in my bathroom & I love the calm spa like feeling it gives off.

Hmmm, sage....I love sage. I'll check it out, thank you! As far as the picture, not sure if I'll keep it or not...got it from Home Goods.

I could see a teal shade. SW Rainwashed or Quietude, e.g.

I like the pale pink with the gold and white. It seems deliberate and elegant. You could always try changing the accessories before painting -- white orchids, white towels, different painting -- and see if you like the result. I would worry that, with the beige-pink tile, any other "color" (as opposed to a cream or white) won't look cohesive. But I could be wrong!

I agree with lazydaisy

My sister also agrees with lazydaisy; a trip to Home Goods is in order. Much easier to keep the paint and change the accessories. Thank you all.

Here's one example of pale pink with gold. The previous photo in the series is also a pale pink bath (though without the gold). Both use very pale accessories and seem to avoid high contrast. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Martha Stewart Pink Bath

Thanks so much for that link, lazydaisynot, I do love the way it all looks together. Now I'm definitely changing out that picture on the wall and the burgundy plant. I also have burgundy carpets....they're going too. I'm excited about this....thank you very much for your advice and for the visuals!

This post was edited by ruthie51 on Mon, Apr 29, 13 at 15:15

I think you need a picture with a white frame and maybe white roses or something that is light and airy. I love the picture of Martha Stewart's pink bathroom!

I think white may be perfect.

I agree about trying white.

I agree and I thank you all for opening my eyes to that. It would be nice to start loving my master bath.

I am beginning to think a white that compliments your white bathtub and toilet would look great! Then you can get a gold framed picture of white flowers!

Here is a link that might be useful: White bathroom with gold framed mirror

If you decide to paint, I do think a creamy white would be very pretty. You'd want to carefully choose a white that works with your tile and fixtures.

That's another great option, thank you! I'm going to start with the accessories as it's easier and less costly. Can't wait to hit the store :-).

Ruthie51, Please post pictures! If you love the wall color, I would first look for a picture with a gold frame and white flowers and other accessories that will look nice. Maybe a white rug also would help. Then maybe you will not need to change the wall color. You have options and we would love to know what you decide with an after picture.

Brass is neutral, so I wouldn't worry about it much.

If you look at creamy whites, check out BM Crisp Linen. It does have yellow in it, along with a touch of red. You'd think I work for BM the way I promote it, but I just am so in love with this color! The swatch does not tell.

Wow that pink and white bathroom is pretty!

I will definitely post a picture when I find something that works....or if I'm not sure and need your opinions again :-). I'll start with new a painting, flowers, rugs; if I like how those look, I'll stick with the current wall color (at least for now). You've all been so great, I appreciate your responses very much. It's a nice feeling to know I can make small decorating changes that will can make a major difference. I've downloaded the Martha Stewart pink bathroom picture for inspiration.

This post was edited by ruthie51 on Mon, Apr 29, 13 at 15:29

Not sure anyone is following this thread anymore, but the latest is I ordered a new ivory rug from jcp.com; it's 4' octagon with a border and leaf pattern. That will be replacing two plush burgundy rugs: one runner and one small rectangle. I also ordered a new white orchid plant from kohls.com to replace the burgundy plant. I have yet to replace the large picture as I haven't been able to get to the store yet, and that's something I need to see in person before I buy. I was thinking about painting the frame white on the old picture, but I'm not a DIYer and I'd probably ruin it. So, baby steps......

How wonderful when a thread coalesces to a consensus! When the ordered accessories arrive, take down the picture even if you haven't found a replacement, so that you're looking at the room without the distraction of something that isn't staying.

I'll do that, andee. Since I have such a hard time visualizing how spaces will look when done, removing the old picture will help.

This post was edited by ruthie51 on Thu, May 2, 13 at 16:49

Looking forward to seeing your new accessories when they arrive! Painting the frame would be easy if you can remove the art from the frame, but even with a white frame I don't think this particular painting will work with your new scheme. The burgundy is just too deep. A different, botanical could be great there though.

Thanks, lazydaisynot. I've been looking at pastels online and saw some nice ones, but I definitely don't want to buy the picture online. Due to family obligations, I haven't been able to go shopping yet, but I will. Meanwhile, the rug and new plant are on their way.

Hi, ruthie51! I admit I got so excited reading your post because I was just in a very similar situation with my bathroom. I have a gold/brass shower frame and nearly pink walls to go with a pinkish faux marble shower surround. I did a ballsy but awesome thing - I refinished the shower frame!! I'm not necessarily recommending that you do that (though if you're interested, I have directions and pictures I can send a link to), but regarding the paint color, I did some research on what minimized the pinks and golds. I went with "Wicker" by the Eddie Bauer line at Lowe's. It's a wheaty color. It has really taken the pink out of the shower, and I'm really really happy with it. I also read to stay away from pastel wall colors in general (especially blues) because it makes pinks and golds seem more pink and gold - but only if you are avoiding that issue. My grandmother had a pink bathroom when I was growing up that smelled like roses - I always thought it was absolutely beautiful. I think white for your walls, like others have suggested, would be okay, too. I'll attach a before and after picture of my shower, and if you're interested in the how to on the frame, let me know, and I'll send that, as well. Good luck!

Also - you can see the the faucet on the tub is still gold. I will replace it eventually, but I do find that the wall color makes me notice it less.

Nerdette, wow!!! That looks amazing! I'm afraid I don't have that kind of energy....if I were to change out the gold, I would bat my eyelashes at DH and ask him if we could buy a new shower enclosure, and I'm sure he would say, sure, go ahead (he's good that way). I'm highly impressed with what you did in your bathroom and I do appreciate your taking the time to share with me. If I were (many) years younger, I would definitely consider it. For now, I'll stick with the gold and try to work with it. Thank you again.

OK, I got the new rug and I like it. I'll post pictures of the old and new. As far as the picture, I didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I saw something at Home Goods that had good colors, but it was a well-known beach scene with the Adirondack chair looking out over the beach and I wasn't sure I wanted something like that, plus it was smaller than I wanted. I went to three more stores and ended up going back to Home Goods to look at the beach picture again, and right next to it was another picture that caught my eye. It's a botanical, and while the colors aren't perfect as far as the frame and background, I liked it so I bought it. The great thing about Home Goods is that you can return anything. The frame and background of the picture is beigy and I wanted more white, but I think I like it. So, picture time....I need to post separate pictures with each message because I don't have a photo account. First, the old burgundy rugs.

Ivory, 4' diagonal....I'm very happy with it.

Here's the new picture....do you think it will work? I had such a hard time finding something so I hope this will be it. The flowers are on the way; I will post a picture when it arrives. Thank you, everyone!

This picture more represents the color of the wall, which isn't pink, it's more like face powder (hence the name, powder puff).

This post was edited by ruthie51 on Fri, May 3, 13 at 17:50

Good choices with your rug and artwork! They definitely help neutralize the room. And now I've made plans to hit up Home Goods!

(Regarding the frame - I admit, it was a lot of work. But hey, only cost me $52 in drop cloths, primer, spray paint, poly, and masks!)

Nerdette, the cost may not have been that high, but it does look very labor intensive. You must feel a great sense of pride when you walk into that room. Really, you did an amazing job.

Aw, thank you. I think the hardest part was taping the drop cloths and cleaning up afterward!

Ruthie51, the room is coming together nicely and looking so much better. Glad you are now liking your pretty shower door and my keep the paint on the walls. Please post updated pictures when everything is hug and done.

Very nice rug. Since it's an ivory rather than white, it makes sense to have some ivory in your painting. I don't have anything on my walls that I don't love for one reason or another (e.g., belonged to my parents, painted by someone I know, or a subject that's dear to my heart). So if I were you, I'd ask myself if I really love the painting. If so, I'd keep it. If not, I'd keep looking. The wall can stay blank for a while, and you want to have something that you'll enjoy for many years to come.

It's looking so much better, good choices.

Thank you all for responding. Lazydaisynot, I have very few paintings/decor hanging in my current house that have sentimental value; two that I can think of off hand. I bought most of them online or at Home Goods. We used to have photographs hanging in our other homes that had sentimental value, but they just didn't look good here, so they're put away. I'm getting the strong feeling that you don't care for the picture..may I ask why? Your opinion will help me decide whether to keep it. I do like it a lot and I think it looks nice in the spot. But I'm afraid I'm influenced towards keeping it for the wrong reasons: I just don't want to go searching again as this was hard to find. I know there are unlimited choices online, but I don't want to go that route. I've had so many pictures hanging in that spot; this is the first that's neutral, the others had burgundy in them. I'll live with it sitting on the edge of the tub for a while and let it grow on me. I find that always helps me decide.

Nerdette... I absolutely LOVE the re-do on the shower frame! I'd love a how-to on that!

I just had a new shower door installed, and it's polished chrome... and I hate that high mirror gloss in a bathroom. (I know, it's just me...lol)

Any tips?

Oh I'm so sorry if I seemed negative. That wasn't my intention at all. I worried after posting that I had been clumsy with my wording. I think the painting is very pretty; the colors seem great; love the frame, and the softness of the painting. The only minor thing that caught my eye was the large brownish flower, a shade that makes me think of dried or wilted flowers. But I'm a plant/flower fiend, so that's a personal problem!

Honestly, I was just trying to say that if you're on the fence about it, I wouldn't keep it. Not because everything needs to be sentimental or historical or original, but because you'll see it every day, and you want something that brings a smile to your face for one reason or another. If it will do that, great! If it won't, the wall can always wait until you find something that will. I couldn't tell from your post whether you loved it or not.

What you've done so far, including the painting, already makes it feel lighter and is a great improvement. I appreciate your posting the photos and look forward to more!

I went back and looked at the print, and I think what appears as brown on the computer is actually rose, with beige and ivory. When I walked in there, it did bring a smile to my face, as lazydaisynot mentioned. I do think this print will be it, but I'll reserve final judgment until the orchid arrives, which is scheduled for mid-week. Thank you all very much for holding my hand through this. As I said, it's nice to love my master bath for a change. (Actually, I would adore it if we did a total reno, but that's just not in the cards).

This post was edited by ruthie51 on Sat, May 4, 13 at 17:28

Great! And what a good lesson this is (for me) about not relying on my monitor to make decisions about color. I think it's going to be a lovely room.