If you are crafty, I've seen posts online where bloggers have used Rub and Buff to make old-fashioned shiny brass look like the new-style aged brass. Instead of hiding your brass accents, perhaps you could make them less shiny. I agree that painting the vanity a cream color would help lighten up the room. in my old house, I painted the vanity using the following advice from igloochic: This is exactly what I use: Primer Sherwin Williams PrepRite ProBlock Interior Exterior Seals and Bonds, Latex primer (it's the most expensive...but if you don't like sanding or using chemicals to prep, this is the stuff for you!). I've never had to sand or strip first using this on the worst shiny stuff. Paint Sherwin Williams Exterior All Surface Glass Enamel Code IFC411X Woodsy Brown 100% mix formula 2924 (color code) They use Acrylic Latex HIGH GLOSS Ultradeep base 6403-25932 Code A41T00204 Do not take a less glossy finish. This finish dries HARD and rich :) (There's a man joke in there somewhere but I'll avoid making it) I use one coat primer and let it dry a day at least, then two coats (one day between at least) of paint with a good Purdy brush (which is important). With just one coat the grain still effects the paint, but with the two on top of the primer you get that nice smooth look :) I'm a paint freak, so forgive me for saying this if you know. Don't use rollers for wood. I like a 1 1/2 inch and a 2 1/2 or 3" brush at the most. The smaller works well on the small areas so you don't drip or oversmear the sides of the project." In my new house, I'm using these aged brass knobs:

I took more pictures of the bathroom as it is right now so you can see what I'm dealing with. One of the maroon tiles on the shower wall fell off and cracked, so between that and the toilet repairs was what got me thinking it's time. Also if you notice the outlet on the vanity/light fixture that's not GFI so that will need to get updated and the ventilation fan I would really like to move to the ceiling where it belongs. Here are some more pics (sorry about the cell pics, I still haven't found what my kids did with the regular camera): http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w339/katmu_album/554168170_1962722423_534196955_1280890895094jpeg.jpg http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w339/katmu_album/554168345_1962723058_534197136_1280890864668jpeg.jpg http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w339/katmu_album/554168596_1962723992_534197400_1280890833754jpeg.jpg http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w339/katmu_album/554168035_1962721928_534196821_1280890916639jpeg.jpg

I like the plum brown -- the purple only comes through where the sun is hitting it and it's almost an undertone elsewhere. I agree with filling the grooves and changing hardware -- try wood filler, but go gently. That stuff can be hard to sand down, especially if you have clumps of ridges. Work to have it go ion smooth. Fill and scrape off any excess before it dries so that you only have lighter sanding. Like spray paint, you would rather go with a few lighter coats than going to heavy. The panel might come off is nailed or screwed in place, but if it has glue, alone or with nails, it could tear up the wood. Just depends o what it is and how much is there holding how tightly. I'd try filling first. Another possibility is to try the paint first The dark color will make the grooves less obvious. And then there is the take the challenge and make it a feature approach. Look at painted furniture for ideas and make that panel a becomes a feature -- with a stencil, wallpaper, fabric (might be risky in a bathroom, but you could seal it.-- if it gets messed up, paint over it). Sounds like you are considering hte plum now -- tell DH it isn't purple -- more brown with an attitude or some character. Sounds better than raisin, doesn't it?

Here are some of the material samples we've pulled...can't decide on the wood look or stone, and which color stone. Our new vanity is pictured, the top has grays and coppers