Honestly, I don't think you, us, or anyone can make that call without putting the actual materials together and looking at them. In general, I certainly don't think that classy white tile will look "cheap" with a taupe-y room. If it's nice tile. But believe me, EVERY white tile, subway, square, whichever, looks different in real life. I've now had to choose subways for two kitchens and white field tile for two bathrooms, and the difference in appearance between them is amazing. In the last bathroom, I was on a super tight budget and tiling all the walls, so I had to choose a cheap tile. The two cheapest (Lowes and HD's subways and 4x4s, by American Olean and, I think, Daltile, but their low-end, big-box-only lines) are very uniform and have glazes that lack any sort of depth or lustre. I just couldn't do it. Interestingly, just a few cents more per tile buys the American Olean field tile with a different surface texture (ever so slightly wavy, which creates a bit of sparkle in the room) and slightly different colored glaze. The "richness" in the look between these 3 tiles, all of which were the same size, shape, and bright white... was incredible. All that is just to illustrate the point that you really gotta see it in person :) That particular bathroom, by the way, has grey-beige walls and a beige, limestone-look tile on the floor. White fixtures, and white tile. I think it looks quite elegant ;) If you want to add a masculine touch, and you want to use the dark medicine cabinet, would you consider doing white tile with a black (or dark brown- whatever matches the cab) accent? You could even run the tile around the walls of the room as wainscotting. Like this, sort of? Or some other way to bring that dark accent in... otherwise I think I would go with the white medicine cabinet... I also agree with you on preferring recessed medicine cabinets!

Perhaps place the medicine chest over the toilet, or on another wall and place a mirror over your sink? I had this same issue and this was my solution. I also found that a larger mirror than the one in the antique medicine chest was more functional. Hope this helps!

hey, I made some comments to you on the DIY thread just now. Go back to your original inspiration at the beginning of this thread and find some sea glass/pale aqua/ I think a little blush color goes a long way. Use that at the end to add a little contrast. Maybe as trim on a simple shower curtain, soap/lotion dispensers, or in a little art to finalize it. Personally, I'm thinking using the color on your walls, and painting the vanity an off-white color. Pick a shade out of your counter top. Get some samples and paint several poster boards and see what looks best. Keep it simple! The pops and bling can be added at the end.

Yea to your remodel! And, yes, mirrors are never out of date. The key is installation particularly transitions from mirror to adjacent surfaces. As to what height to end the tile, a good 9-11" (44"-35") above the vanity is about right in my opinion. The biggest problem with mirrors is the splashing of water from working at your sink so the 10" "backsplash" is appropriate - don't want to have to constantly clean those mirrors.