I would choose to go bold with the easiest one to change when I tire of it. In this case it would be the bold counter top and calm floor.

Great points from you both!

Tibbrix- my design mantra is calm. To that end, any choice I consider bold is still pretty calm. The 'bold' countertop I am considering is Cambria Praa Sands. The bold floor tile I am considering is Sant Agostino Pearl in Silver.

RoseAbbey- I agree with you wholeheartedly and would go with the bold counter direction for that reason except I am not ever going to redo this bath. I will move first and that will occur in 5 - 10 years.

Agree. I don't think "calm" means pale. I love kitchens and bathrooms which look more like living areas than hard, cold rooms. Of course, when choosing the color palette, everything depends on the light in the room.

Over the years, I have come to realize that I like very calm, almost minimalist rooms, which I can change with more flamboyant accessories or wall paint colors for a short time, only to return to the restful "basics."

So, to answer your question: I'd go with both a calm floor and counter and go wild with the other things. Actually, I'd go all white....

I always find one element that I completely fall in love with and then I go from there. For our master bath it was the granite. For our kitchen it was the stone for the backsplash.

That said, I think your comment about moving in 5-10 years is key because it means you should design with the eventual resale in mind. And in that case, I'd go with a more low key but timeless design using a neutral palette. Simple but elegant; trying to use elements that won't look dated a few years from now.

P.S. After I hit enter, I realized the above is probably not helpful because you're already in that frame of mind. To answer your questions specifically, I wouldn't go dramatic as it's a style I would tire of fairly easy. For a master bath, I'd go calm, spa like.

The adjoining master bedroom is SW Creamy w/trim in SW Alabaster. The house is post and beam. In the bathroom there are two posts and ship's knees which are natural wood.

I like the Silver Pearl tile, it has color and variation, but it still muted and soft. I would pair it with a white countertop, like Organic White. My vanity cabinet is already purchased it is a warm brown stain on cherry, Schrock Tundra.

Edited to add, I also like the Cambria Praa Sands, and when I was set up that direction this was my mood board

I would go with the more bold flooring then, I like drama.

I am with nosoccermom and would choose everything calm in a bathroom partly because the decisions are long term (not like a throw pillow) even if I'm not staying long term, hopefully the bathroom won't be gutted and end up in a landfill in short order. And partly because bathrooms are usually relatively small rooms and I prefer them to be simple in general.

That said, if I wanted one bold choice, I would just see what I fell in love with and then have that be the bold choice and let it drive the rest of the choices.

I too like calm. It's not all fun and games and relaxing spa experiences in a bathroom, KWIM? Think about the worst of times. Do you want drama and excitement? A strong pattern? I sure don't. May you not have many of those times. :)

I haven't read all the responses, but I would start by going to the tile stores and see what jumps out at you. if you fall in love with a tile, that can be your jumping off point.

When we redid the hall/kids/guest bath I had seen a picture of a brightly tiled bath of Villeroy and Boch tiles. They are individual 8x8 squares of ocean blue, butterscotch, apple green, and white. I debated because of the " not easy to change" factor but decided to go for it. It's a small bath and I did the floor, tub surround and halfway up the wall. It's the boldest thing in the house. Six years later I still like it......it's a cheerful room without being cutesy.....suitable for both kids and adult guests. ( I did not add the tile flower border that coordinated with the field tiles). I do sometimes worry about resale, but most likely a family with kids would buy this house and most kids' baths have bright colors in some form.

When we redid the master bath I knew I wanted a natural maple vanity. After that the jumping point was the accent tile I found...everything fell into place after that.

You can also look at Houzz or magazines and if you see a bath you like try to duplicate the elements.

I agree with Tib. FIrst I ask myself how I want to feel in the room. Then I look for inspiration in photos and take my time to decide what I really like and what I won't get bored with. I also try to make sure what I use is not a passing trend. I prefer timeless looks.

I tend to fall in love with natural stones first and then find the tile that go with that stone.

I personally love that tile more than I personally love that counter. I think the tile still lends itself to a calm atmosphere with just a hint of drama where the counter may be more dramatic overall.

I love the counter top option and would use that.

I think that counter will likely be higher energy rather than calm, especially if your vanity is a longer one or a double.

My concern about that tile is the amount of pink in it and the fact that your vanity will accentuate the pink in the tile. Not loving that with your paint color. Be careful.....

I won't express an opinion on your choices, but to me, calm is achieved by having things aesthetically pleasing to me, whether "bold" or neutral. I get agitated when things are dissonant, not because they are colorful or have patterns.

Thanks all for your insightful comments and advice.

I have lived with a large tile sample on the floor of the MB all weekend and I am not loving it, it feels too dark to me.

Likewise I have looked at all the countertops in my house, and in my inspiration photos and I think I probably wouldnt be happy with the Praa Sands.

So I am back to the drawing board.

I am finding my bathroom so much harder than my kitchen.