Here is another shower curtain idea:

pink and blue shower curtain

PS: I'm a bird watcher, hence the name:)

Paint all the millwork white, absolutely. The countertop needs to go, but you could drop that sink into something else if budget is an issue. Otherwise, I think a one piece faux-marble top in white on white might work? US Marble type thing. I'd say granite, but you have a lot going on and I don't know what granite would work. For a shower door, I would go with a simple Euro-panel if you can bite the hinge screws deep enough through the wall tile and into into the studs. Looks like that build-in linen cupboard might be problematic, access wise, but look at Ark Showers and Dreamline Aqua. Very sleek and simple. Reviews of the latter on Amazon. We have Ark, a little pricier, and love it. Good luck.

junco, that's a pretty shower curtain. I know it's a cherry blossom tree, but it makes me think of a crab apple tree in bloom. My parents had a crab apple tree on their front lawn for the fifty years that they lived in their house.

I love birds too, but I only watch them from my kitchen window. I have a bird feeder in close proximity.

MizLizzie, I like your suggestions. I never realized there were shower doors/panels that do not go from wall to wall. Amazing! Very clean lines. Has a great look about it. I'll look into that.

Check out pantone colors for 2016 (one is pink). Maybe you can come up with something that will work for you.

I would definitely paint all the trim and cabinetry white - I used BM Simply White on my kitchen cabinets and found it to be a good, true white that didn't clash with other whites. And yes replace the pink countertop - it just goes over the edge of "too much pink". With a white countertop and trim, the pink will be much more subtle in your room!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

Ok, so as I stand in my bathroom I am imagining---white trim, white counter top, white cabinets. Now what will stand out? I guess the accent tiles will pop and the pink/grey mix flooring and the fixtures. I'm wondering---will that really be a good look?

That's why I suggested the colorful shower curtain! Another idea would be to emphasize the blue with a blue and white stripe or pattern curtain and then let the pink be the accent. Just be sure to match the tone of the blue in the tiles.

I would paint the trim first and then try some different shower curtains to see how they change the look of the room. Then decide if you need to change the counter or if you want to install glass shower doors.

Trying to think outside the box (if replacing the accent tiles, at least the larger ones isn't possible):

I'm wondering whether you could paint the tiles with ceramic or oil paint, e.g. paint the pink the current cream color and edge around what is now cream. Maybe the blue to a darker blue. You'd still have an accent tile but with fewer colors.

Kind of like this look

Of course, no idea how much work this would be and how it would hold up in the shower.

http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/08/diy-painted-ceramic-tile-tutorial.html

I'd wait on painting the cabinets white. I think I'd do around the window and the door first and see how it looks. Maybe get a lacey looking sheer for the window to soften it. And look for a shower curtain. I always find ones I like at kohl's - tho I don't go there much any more.

and I think I'd cover the counter top with some white paper (or use some white fabric) to see how it changes the room. it wouldn't hurt to look at some white quartz or something. I would be concerned about too much white in there also.

How do you feel about painting the color tiles? Is that something you could do? maybe just paint over the blue in them so it doesn't look so pink and blue... or if blue is a color you really like bring more of into the room. My first thought was pink and blue as baby colors tho. an aqua? green?

I'd keep the counter, all the tile, sconces, and the mirror frame as is.

I'd paint the window, door frame and door, and crown molding a white that would look good in there.Be sure to prep the wood, prime, and paint with a quality bathroom trim paint. I have had beautiful results with BM.

I then would evaluate if you wanted to paint the vanity and the wall cabinets. I think the vanity and wall cabinets would be lovely in white.

junco and desertsteph, I like your comment about painting the trim around the door and window first. Then stepping back and seeing if I liked it. If I did, then I could continue to the cabinets and/or the trim of the mirror frame and built-in medicine cabinet. I could then look into a new shower curtain or decide if a glass shower door/panel would be more the look I would like.

Interesting idea nosoccermom, about painting the tiles. You do realize that there are 27 tiles midway up the wall and that would be another 27 near the ceiling! I like your idea but think I would find it overwhelming and then would worry about whether the paint would wear off in the shower or when cleaning. Sorry!

The pink and blue tile color is not actually the typical baby colors. I don't think the camera captured the exact coloring. It is very hard to capture the right color on camera.

Desertsteph, covering up the counter with white fabric or paper is a great idea! I do have a large roll of white paper that I could use to cover it up with. If I get ambitious, I could even cover up the trim and see how it looks. If I am successful in doing that, I'll take pictures and post. Thanks all.

Agree totally with enduring. Don't worry about the tiles until her steps are completed. The mirror is fabulous and the sconces work so well.

Layering white tissue paper might give you an answer right away on the counter.

Later on, if the tiles give you too much pink, there may be ways of painting just some of its pattern so as it wears off it won't be noticed, It would be easy to touch up. And that wouldn't be needed very often at all. (I'm suggesting you not think about the tile trim the basic painting is done. (While the wood is lovely - from the photos it seems to have a pink undertone.)

Yes, it would be a huge undertaking to paint 50+ tiles., so nix the idea, especially since success isn't guaranteed. Also, I like the from close-up a lot better.

I personally love aqua, so I'd probably go ahead and pick aqua accessories in towel, bath mat, etc.

If everything else were white, you could even go for an aqua ceiling.

I think painting out the trim and cabinets would both freshen and open things up. Maybe replace the counter if you can splurge a bit on a light stone, put in glass or use a white shower curtain, white rug and you've got a beautiful fresh pink and white bathroom sporting 2016's color combo of the year.

It's the wood that clashes. You can either change the tiles or paint all that nice wood -- vanity, storage tower, door and window frames, moulding, and whatever that is on the ceiling.

Anyone think that the 'linen' tower and vanity could stay wood?

Pink or not, the counter top isn't 'nice' enough for the tile. Looks like laminate with a drop in sink -- not a big deal to replace.

Don't beat yourself up on your tile choices. Twelve years is a lifetime in design, and styles are changing so rapidly now. Luckily your cabinets are lovely and very current. I would have a cabinet painter redo them in a light gray though. They look like maple so they are a good candidate for professional repainting. I would also update the counter, sink, and sconces. I think the sconces are mood lighting and not meant for bathroom tasks. I'd change the gold and chrome hardware and faucets to chrome. I'd definitely accessorize with teal, which looks so nice with gray.

I agree with counter change, paint trim, glass shower door. If you don't like idea of paint on trim, a dark express stain would make it current. I would remove the mirror on the right wall of the vanity. I would paint the accent tiles, hire a scenic painter....cheaper than tile surgery and reinstall. Large bath rug on floor, or maybe tile over (I don't know if I would tile over tile, controversial...do some searching, but worth considering )

Hi enduring, I didn't see your post until after I had posted. I like the idea of just painting the trims and crown molding and then stepping back to assess. I see that you meanom agree with that. I think that painting of the tiles might be possible, I do think that it should be left near the end after other things have been done.

Thanks for the compliment on the wood meanom. You are right about the pink undertone. It was painted, what is called a whitewash pink, to show the grain of the wood underneath.

Nosoccermom, glad you like the tile a bit better than before. It never occurred to me that it may have appeared to others as a baby pink & blue (which it is not). It just may be possible, that after some painting of the trim+, I may like the accent tile a lot more than I thought I could. I love the color aqua too! In fact, my rug and towels are, may not quite aqua, but definitely a green/blue tone. Aqua ceiling---would sure make a statement! Something to consider after everything else.

Mayflowers, I like your ideas. The thought of all white trim, cabinets and counter kind of scares me. But, of course, I would have to see it to really know. But now you say grey cabinets. That sounds really good to me. There is a bit of grey in the accent tile and some grey in the ceramic floor. My husband is quite a handyman so painting white or grey would be something we could do. The sconces may not be the right thing, but they do work for us. And I have to say that my adult kids are very particular about their lighting, and I have no complaints! That's saying something! Chrome hardware would be my choice now. Hoping to get away with keeping it for now. Teal and grey, I agree, is a lovely combo.

Snookums2, pink and white bathroom---colors of 2016---I don't know. When I think of it, it sounds like a color that would be chosen for a baby girl's room. But heck, with my taste---what do I know---it could work!

Chisue, "It's the wood that clashes." I can see that. It was a bad choice. What a big mistake that was! "The counter top isn't 'nice' enough for the tile." Agreed! Not sure what you mean when you said "Anyone think that the 'linen' tower and vanity could stay wood?" Could you explain what you meant?

Mosleaffair, "a dark express stain would make it current." If I had only done that in the first place! I guess that would require sanding and staining. The cabinets and trim are actually oak. I like your thoughts. But the mirror on the side is actually the built-in medicine cabinet. I agree that the look isn't exactly right, but I do love the storage and the alternate views one can get when opening the door and looking at yourself from different angles (without getting out another mirror).

I need to write these ideas out step by step. When I have a moment, I'll do that!

If you're seriously considering dark espresso stain, there's nothing better or more addictive than General Finishes Java. It's really easy to use, especially on oak.

However, I still think that all white or perhaps grey would work better.

I wonder if someone could photoshop the various colors if you posted on the Home Decorating forum.

I wouldn't do any dark cabinet colors because of the pastel tile.

I dont think the dark is the way to go with your room. I would do the white personally. Your floor will pull the wood of the mirror together. The trim in a contrasting color looks too stripy. It competes with the tile. I know you are knocking the tile but let the tile be the star. It is what it is. I think in such a small space you can eliminate some of the heavy contrast. You obviously like pink and that's no big deal. Make the wood color disappear and every thing will be more harmonious. And like I mentioned I'd start with the trim at door and window and crown. Then decide on the other. The wall unit would be my next thing to paint white. If I were to pick an accent color I'd do it with the vanity only, and then the mirror might need painting too.

"appeared to others as a baby pink & blue "

glad it isn't that! it's often difficult to tell with colors on monitors.

I agree that white for the cabs most likely would be too much white. I like the idea of posting on home dec forum and ask for someone to photo shop for you. it's not something I know how to do - but have seen others do it for other posters so they can better visualize their ideas and colors.

I think a med to dark grey might work.. someone posted with grey kitchen cabs on kitchens and they were really nice! not real dark tho.

with some of the wood painted and counter changed out, it should start looking much different. Then you could pick up a few towels to try colors in there (don't wash 'em and keep tags to return if you don't like).

a new w/color shower curtain and maybe a bath mat (that can hang over the tub edge for color when not in use).

then repost w/pics here.

I know you're getting different ideas here - but that's what they are - ideas.

I also have the side wall cab/w mirror. mine opens at the front of cab area so not usable for other 'views', so I'm planning to cover the mirror with a pic of my dogs...a collage.

do the photo shop thing and check out the grey cabs!

The gold light fixtures could be painted a silver/nickel.

here are a few quick photoshop images

original:

altered, just the door frame and crown and window painted:

Here is everything painted:

HEre is the other view:

Paint on the window and crown:

Paint on all wood:

Looks much, much better painted. I'd paint the mirror in whatever you decide for the vanity.

What color is the tub?

With a light counter top that bathroom would look so much bigger and very fresh. Painting the trim looks good.

nosoccermom, thanks for letting me know of General Finishes Java. Always good to know a reliable product. I agree with you though that somehow a dark stain in this bathroom seems over the top. (Had I done it in the first place, I think I would have been happier with it rather than with what I actually chose.) Maybe it's the contrast of the mostly white and very dark coloring that just doesn't seem right. (I think you see that too.) But I have a piece of furniture that I would like to consider staining with this product. Thanks for the pictures. I love the before and after. By the way, my bath tub is white.

Mayflowers, "I wouldn't do any dark cabinet colors because of the pastel tile." Agreed.

Enduring! Absolutely fantastic job you did with the photoshop! Nosoccermom was suggesting I go to the Decorating Forum and ask for them to do it, but I just couldn't go and ask them to do the work on my behalf. So I was going to use some paper or something to try to visualize the changes. I thank you so much for doing it. I was so surprised when I first saw one of the pictures as I was checking back on my post. I thought that looks like my washroom---kind of! Then realized that you had colored over some of the woodwork. I feel like I got an early Christmas present! Thank you very much!

Enduring says: I dont think the dark is the way to go with your room. I would do the
white personally." Agreed. "Make
the wood color disappear and every thing will be more harmonious. And
like I mentioned I'd start with the trim at door and window and crown.
Then decide on the other. The wall unit would be my next thing to paint
white. If I were to pick an accent color I'd do it with the vanity only,
and then the mirror might need painting too." Agreed!

Desertsteph, says: '''I agree that white for the cabs most likely would be too much white. I think a med to dark grey might work.". I think grey might be a good color too. I am thinking medium grey. I think the dark grey would be too strong a color. "Then you could pick up a few towels to
try colors in there (don't wash 'em and keep tags to return if you don't
like)." I like that!

"a new w/color shower curtain and maybe a bath mat (that can hang over the tub edge for color when not in use)." Yes!

"then repost w/pics here." Yes, before and after pictures!

"I also have the side wall cab/w mirror. mine opens at the front of
cab area so not usable for other 'views', so I'm planning to cover the
mirror with a pic of my dogs...a collage." Great idea!

Rantontoo, "The gold light fixtures could be painted a silver/nickel." I would love to do that. My parents taught me to save money and to reuse, if possible. So that would be a perfect solution for me!

I am seeing some great reviews visualizing with your photoshopped pictures enduring!

I am really getting to like the thought of having the vanity drawers and the mirror frame a difficult color like grey. (With the other parts painted white.) I think I just may be able to love this bathroom after these changes. That would be amazing!!!!

The room gives off such a strong perception of high gloss that I'm afraid white paint will make matters worse. Now that we know the vanity and linen cabinet are oak, which doesn't paint well, I wonder if there's a gray wash that could go over it. Keep the oak texture as a relief from the glossiness but remove the pink tones.

I might change out the mirror frame to a flat frame to differentiate it from the extensive molding and to take out the layers of frou-frou. Just let the accent tile and rope trim be the star, as enduring says.

here is the the picture with the full wall cabinet

Original:

White but the mirror:

All white:

Mayflowers might be right about the high gloss.

I think at the minimum I would paint the crown. Every thing is so striped. I would have had an oak door with the same finish as the cabinets. If you don't want to paint the wood, then match the white door with the other wood.

If you bring gray into the room, I think all the yellowish colored oak has to be gone, either toned with gray stain or painted.

I do see yellow in the wall tiles when I look close at your tile image posted above. So you have pink, blue, and yellow in the room. I don't know if I'd bring another color in there, unless it was a pink gray or a blue gray.

Here is my blue gray painted vanity. You might be able to find a blue gray that goes with the bluish color in your tile, but a gray version of it.

Gray is on its way out. Pink and gray seems dated to me, kind of like the pink and blue you are not liking, but I don't follow the color trends whether it is popular. All that matters though is if you like it.

Don't let me insult your bathroom, enduring. It's gorgeous!

I think gray has enduring :) power as long as marble is popular in kitchens and baths. It really is a good neutral, and all the accent colors of the tile goes with it, including the yellow.

I'm looking at this as you have a hand-painted tile so go with a little French or Itailan countryside feeling instead of a pretty pink and white lady's bath. I don't know if you could accomplish a gray-based stain on oak, but I think retaining a bit of the organic would be important if you go that route. Then eliminate the brass and the pink woodwork. Imo, the sconces read clamshell, which worked with the pink pastel scheme. You could replace the clamshell with a springbok head theme. (Just kidding!)

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Snookums! you don't insult me, lol. I am not a fan of gray for the
most part. My room reads blue and white to be honest. That gray on my
vanity looks bluish to me ;)

I am not a fan of gray with punches
of color, like yellow or other bright color. It has been popular over
the last few years. It just never had enough depth for me.Mayflowers, regarding the second picture you posted, I question the use of their color combo. The gray looks good with the pinkish backsplash but clashes with the golden granite. The gray does look a bit rosey and might go well in the OP's bathroom with the pink. But I would only want to use it as a feature element and not paint everything that color. The vanity might pull it off.

I didn't even look at the rest of the photo to notice the gold granite. Looking through Houzz photos is tedious so I just grabbed the first gray-stained oak cabinets I saw.

I would just paint or stain the vanity and linen closet door and drawers. The rest can be painted white. I like the light gray of your vanity, enduring. Not a fan of the gun-metal gray. The gray stain in the Houzz photos is dark. The upper cabs which are getting more light would be more acceptable.

I would hope that using teal accessories would help the eye not rest on the pink as much.

Mayflowers says: "The room gives off such a strong perception of high gloss that I'm
afraid white paint will make matters worse. Now that we know the vanity
and linen cabinet are oak, which doesn't paint well, I wonder if there's
a gray wash that could go over it. Keep the oak texture as a relief
from the glossiness but remove the pink tones." Can you explain what you mean about the room giving off a strong perception of high gloss? And oak doesn't paint well? Do you mean paint doesn't cover it up well maybe because of the grain?

Enduring says: "If you bring gray into the room, I think all the yellowish colored oak has to be gone, either toned with gray stain or painted." Absolutely agreed. Your blue gray painted vanity is a nice shade and is not too dark.

Mayflowers, I like grey as a neutral too. A grey stain is something to consider. I like the first picture with the grey stained vanity. The kitchen grey is too dark for me---for my washroom anyways, I think. "I would just paint or stain the vanity and linen closet door and
drawers. The rest can be painted white. I like the light gray of your
vanity, enduring." I like that idea.

Enduring thanks for doing more photoshopping! In the last picture everything is white, and really, I think it looks pretty good---better than I ever imagined! Only thing is, is that a white counter has been suggested also which makes me wonder whether that will look good. I don't think I can handle so much white!

Enduring, what did you mean when you said "Every thing is so striped."

Can you explain what you mean about the room giving off a strong perception of high gloss? And oak doesn't paint well? Do you mean paint doesn't cover it up well maybe because of the grain?

There's high gloss white tile from floor to ceiling on all four walls. Mirrors add shine. Painted woodwork in a bathroom would probably need to be glossy to make it washable.

Right, the grain shows through unless you smooth it out with filler. That's an option I hadn't thought of and would work with your door style to give you a look of "just bought" cabinets. But I suggested staining as another option, if it's possible to get the right gray color. I would have to put that in the hands of a professional. I like a touch of natural materials instead of everything painted. In white painted kitchens, you often see a natural wood island. In enduring's bathroom, she has a soapstone sink with her painted cabinet. I think it could update the bathroom in a different way that takes the focus off the tile. Will it work? Heck if I know!

Typically in DIY painted cabinets, the oak is builder basic and the door style is outdated so it never hits the mark of an updated remodel despite the new counters and fancy backsplash, etc. In photos I've seen of white painted oak cabinets, showing the grain, it reads "cheap fix" imo, and I wouldn't want that to happen to your oak, which you said is good quality, and they look it! It's just my prejudice as plenty of people do it and are happy with it.

The only issue I see is that if you add yet another color for the trim etc. (even if it's grey), it may get way colorful, especially for the built-ins.

I could see the vanity in a grey stain but would keep everything else in the color of the tiles and tub. But I agree that painted oak cabinets will always look like "painted oak cabinets."

However, do your cabinets/wood work have the regular strong oak grain?

Mayflowers: "There's high gloss white tile from floor to ceiling on all four walls.
Mirrors add shine. Painted woodwork in a bathroom would probably need to
be glossy to make it washable." The white tile I have is high gloss, but I think, it doesn't exactly appear so. You see, the tile is not completely flat. It has a very slight wave in it. I think this reduces the "shine." At the same time, this window is north facing, so there is no sun streaming in. It also is a frosted window, so that also diminishes the amount of light entering the room. (Therefore reducing the shine?)

You also say: "Painted woodwork in a bathroom would probably need to be glossy to make it washable." My husband is quite the handyman. He says that we would be able to find a durable paint without high gloss. We are a family of four, but only one of us showers in there. So perhaps the paint would hold up well enough.

Also: "Right, the grain shows through unless you smooth it out with filler.
That's an option I hadn't thought of and would work with your door style
to give you a look of "just bought" cabinets." I could use filler when painting the trim white and see how well it covers the grain. I think we could do that. Then when it comes to the vanity, the cupboard and drawers, we could consider gray paint (only if the trim worked out well). But I like the idea of staining the vanity, cupboard and drawers. That would be more work. Staining is always a bit tricky---it's difficult to get just the right colour. I am wondering whether a grey wash would work. That would be easier.

Nosoccermom says: "I could see the vanity in a grey stain but would keep everything else
in the color of the tiles and tub." So just doing the vanity in a grey stain/paint is something I would definitely consider. I think I would need to paint the trim in the room white and work from there.
"But I agree that painted oak
cabinets will always look like "painted oak cabinets." Hopefully not. "However, do your cabinets/wood work have the regular strong oak grain?" Unfortunately, yes.

Here are a couple of closeup photos where you can see the grain of the oak.

I know you can use paint as a wash but I have no experience with painting or staining cabinets. Was hoping someone else would have suggestions of how to get a gray stain.

I think that's a good plan to try the filler on the trim. I thought of that afterwards, that even if you smoothed out the cabinets, your trim will still show the oak grain. Maybe you could experiment on the mirror frame. I still think changing it to a flat frame would be a good way to remove the ornateness from the room and differentiate the frame from all that trim. I like a little bead on the inner frame like this one (nix the crown) or match your door style.

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Gray mirror frames are pretty and would provide contrast with the white tile.

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Haven't read all the updates -- but the grey vanity and bar goes very well with the white. Very surprised at that. Probably is a bluish gray. It is so hard to find the right kind of gray. But it may work extremely well with those tiles.

There is a General Finishes Gel Stain in gray. Their samples (tiny, unfortunately) shows it on oak.

Not the gel stain - but milk paint.

All great ideas. I wonder if you posted the cabinet painting project to the kitchen forum if you would get help on a variety of cabinet refinishing projects. They are always refinishing cabinets over on that forum.

I use a bathroom semigloss in my bathroom and it is devine. It is BM and it has been perfect.

The cabinets were done in a lacquer paint by the cabinet maker, but I did my door and trim in the BM semigloss. I used BM Super White on the door and trim around the door:

also did this pine cabinet that was varnished prior to my paint. I used BM trim semigloss if I remember correctly. This is in a slightly gray paint, not quite white, in fact it is BM misty gray 2124-60:

the gray I used on the vanity I posted above with the soapstone sink is BM “Thundercloud Gray", #2124-40

your cabinets are lovely BTW!

You can definitely get a matte paint that is washable - BM Aura paint for example is made for kitchens and bathrooms. You definitely don't need to go high gloss. Even eggshell, which is what I used in my bathroom, is a good compromise if you want some reflectivity for low light situations but not a gloss look. I don't recall ever having to wash the bathroom walls anyway - a wipe of the baseboards for lint is it, and a quick wipe with damp cloth of the vanity, not scrubbing!

I love the photoshop mockup with everything painted white. A grey stain for the vanity might look nice, too - but I'd just go white. If you prime it with a sealing primer, then sand and then paint at least 2 coats with sanding between coats I think oak paints just fine. Here are some tips for painting oak cabinets to minimize grain.... you can sand and paint light coats until it's smooth but you may not want it to look like thermafoil anyway.

http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/tips-tricks-for-painting-oak-cabinets.html

I don't mind a bit of grain showing through either. But that link sure looked like the oak was well covered.

There is some warmth that will be lost if you cover all the wood, and you have to decide if that is the direction you want to go. I would do the crown and casing around the window and door first for starters, then further painting if you want. As I look at the images above, maybe I would paint the mirror before painting the vanity and wall built in. I say this because if any wood should be retained I think the vanity and wall built in would be a better wood feature than the mirror. i point this out because I originally said I would paint the mirror last if painted in stages.

First of all----mayflowers, meanom, tmnca and enduring---your ideas are absolutely wonderful!!!! I am delighted to have your comments. I am wondering how it is you know so much! In fact, now if only one of you could come to my house for a week or so and help out. That would give a a great start to this project! LOL Only kidding. But I can dream, can't I?

Every one of your comments has merit. Mayflowers, I'll use some filler or specialty paint for oak wood. I very much like the idea of doing another frame for the mirror. Also love idea of painting the mirror frame grey. Love the pictures.

Meanom, thanks for the links to the gel stain and the milk paint! I like the gel stain sample, but wonder if it would be the right grey. The milk paint is mighty interesting.

Enduring, the BM semi gloss sounds good. The pictures of your cabinet and the trim and door paint job look great! BM paint looks like the way to go! Going over the the kitchen forum for advice on painting the cabinets is a good idea. I've used that forum once and found the posters very knowledgeable and helpful too.

Tmnca, BM Aura paint for kitchens and washrooms---I'll check into it! So you think white for the vanity, hmmmm. I'll have to go one step at a time, starting with changing the trim to white. What I like best may become clearer as I go along. The blog you linked is awesome. Wow. It was great to see what can be done. (I do have to admit though that I got a tiny bit anxious looking at all the kitchens---even though gorgeous---because my kitchen needs to be totally redone---and thinking about that and all those decisions makes me anxious!) Looking at all the whites and greys was amazing!

Enduring, good point about losing the warmth in the room if everything is painted. And paint the mirror before the vanity and cupboards. Got it!

newhostalady, I have experience making the best of bathrooms I don't love, on a budget. For example, here is our master bathroom - the ugly 80's cultured marble counter was yellowed, the peel and stick vinyl tile was a difficult color to work with (purplish undertones), etc. A little paint helped us out here - painted the vanity grey (BM stone gate) white paint rolled on the countertop and topped with polyurethane for water resistance, and I built a wood frame for the mirror, and painted the walls eggshell BM revere pewter which I selected to downplay the pink-purple tones in the floor. It actually looks better in person than in photographs. I did this 2.5 years ago and it has help up well, though we fortunately now have the budget to finally put in real tile and a new vanity and light fixture :) It cost me about $50 with wood and some paint.

Before - ugly cheap flooring has pink-purple undertones, clashed with yellowy cultured marble counter which was scratched and stained as well. Walls were painted a caramel-yellow-cream that was super shiny, and the paint started one shade at one end and ended another shade at the other end (PO ran out of paint??). Oh and the towel bars were staggered, one had been ripped out of the wall and re-fastened at a random spot.

After - fresh cleaner countertop surface, more harmonized colors and the floor doesn't jump out at me so much... much more tolerable for the past 2 years.

Tmnca, that is quite the change for $50! You improved that washroom by 100%! I never heard of painting over a counter before. Love the grey of the cabinets and the framed mirror. What a difference paint can make!