Tile surrounds look so very nice. I really love the look. That said, I think I'm glad we have one-piecers in both bathrooms (one shower-tub combo and one shower only). These aren't new units, the house is 40 years old and they came with the house. One day we'll replace them, but there's no hurry. My daughter's rental has tile in both upstairs bathrooms, one tub-shower combo and one walk-in-and-have-a-stroll shower. We've used both on numerous occasion as she sometimes goes out of town on business and we babysit, or recently she had a new baby and I went to help out. The shower in particular needs all sorts of spot scrubbing to keep the tile and grout clean. My daughter is a bit of a clean freak (didn't get it from me!) and even she has trouble keeping up with shower maintenance. This really made my mind up for me for what we'll do one of these years - solid surface of some sort despite the fact that I love the look of tile.

What a bathroom! What a neat tub and sink! Is this a vacation home or permanent? I'm not sure it matters but it would work better for a vacation home (psychologically anyway), but what about doing the tub/shower plumbing like an old clawfoot with shower added? Full surround shower curtain (or just two sides if you want to redo the tile nice and watertight I guess) with the showerhead piped openly from the lower plumbing and attached to the curtain rod? Wrong terms, I know, but maybe you know what I mean. LIke the one linked below (cheaper versions and different configurations are available--this was just a quick google.) I'd guess there used to be a thicker floor that was removed and nobody bothered to tell the toilet. If you're really being cheap, you could maybe get away with a lot of paint on the cabinets and curtains over the missing doors, but the cabinets would have to be sturdy enough to keep for that to work. Crisp white tile is inexpensive and you CAN put tile on a piece of plywood for the removable countertop. It'll be heavy enough you won't need to anchor it. Maybe you can DIY drywalling the ceiling. It's not a fun job, but it's a good bonding experience with whatever friends you can get to help. :) Here is a link that might be useful: example of ceiling mount shower curtain/tub-to-shower conversion

I would also recommend the tub/shower combo as it provides flexibility. Our kids are grown, but I cannot imagine having young kids without a tub available in their bath. Prior to our first build, we looked at pre-existing homes. One home immediately was a "no" as the kids bath only had a shower. I could not imagine trying to bathe our kids in the giant jetted tub in the master bath. As some one else said, sometimes older kids need to soak sore muscles. My S often would soak at the beginning of his sports season when workouts were tougher. I also think nothing feels better than a hot, steamy bath when one has a head cold. It doesn't need to be ugly. We also did the tub/shower combo with a tile surround in each of the secondary baths. There are some more attractive surrounds out there now.

Thank you everyone for all of your replies! Sorry for the absence...I have no internet here at the house yet. In response to questions/comments: kudzu9: There are areas of the grout that are missing, and the remainder has turned yellow. I would like to replace the missing grout and whiten the yellowed. We hope to rent out the home, so I don't trust tenants to wipe down painted walls. I'm hoping to find a complementary alternative. benjesbride: Unfortunately, the reason I have little budget now is that most of the original plumbing has to be redone. The drains are all old cast iron, and have degraded...there are lead pipes too. So, since they are replacing them, I figure that now would be the time to relocate. Thank you for your advice on "embracing the retro" and your link! nosoccermom: I cant really remove the shower head, as its the only bath in the home. I LOVE your idea of glass, and will research it. Have to figure out how to seal it from moisture and how to make area where it meets tile waterproof. Fori is not pleased: LOL!!!! I'm not pleased either! Thanks for the laugh and suggestion. I will def head over there once I have internet at the house, and am ready to make all the decorating decisions.polly929: I had considered having a company reglaze the tub & tile white, but the many opinions of keeping the original intact have made me reconsider. I am keeping the home, but am trying to fix it up to rent out for now. bpathome: Thanks for sharing your experience. I was considering adding 4x4 tile above the existing, but someone else said it wouldn't look good and hearing your experience too really gives me pause. I agree that the glass sounds like a cool possibility, but I need to research the installation issues. Would wallpaper hold up in a shower??? Yes, I absolutely need to redo the floor. Its a pier and beam home, so I am avoiding any real tile. However, I have looked at black & white LVT alternatives in both the hex and penny. jesshs: That is amazing! I cannot believe someone on here has actually had this tile! And its funny you mentioned grey....that is exactly the color I was thinking of going with on the walls! As far as paint on the shower walls, as I said above to kudzu9, we are planning to rent the home out and I worry about tenants taking the time to do that sort of maintenance. I want to go with something I don't have to worry about them taking care of. cpartist: Another retro vote! I'm coming around :) The grout is yellowed, and missing in a few areas. I'm hoping there is a way to bring it back to white. I agree with you, and everyone else, about the grab bars, as well as the shower head. And so glad to get another grey vote! I am absolutely redoing the floor. Just haven't decided what would go best. Again, THANK YOU everyone for your opinions and suggestions. Please, keep the ideas coming!