The black checker pattern shower curtain caught my eye right away. Budget wise, that would be a quick fix. Painting the cabinets and updating the faucet would also be a great update without an empty wallet!

well a bucket of white paint can go a long way!!

I like Clair's toile or checkered shower curtain. And would paint the cabinets white!

I don't know if white will go with the sink. I would want to replace the sink.

You may want to consider doing a bathroom remodel (even if minor). This will allow you to enjoy this space for many years to come. Problems like the ones you've listed are common, but there is a solution: http://lonestarpropertysolutions.com/how-to-start-a-bathroom-remodel

Is the tile the same white as the tub? Sometimes beige cultured marble has a white swirl running through it. A new all-white cultured marble top would be well under $200 in my area of the US.

To change out the counter top to a stone would be around $200 for that approximate size utilizing a remnant. A sink can be had for under $100 and faucets under $200. Look for a framed mirror to get rid of the dated oval. Paint the cabinet.

It could be a lot worse in my opinion. If you are looking for quick fix (aka cheap), I would get a shower curtain that works with the existing wall colour (which looks great at least in the photo). If you can't find one, get a quality white cotton or linen blend curtain which will always look fresh and elegant. I would not bring any other colour into this bathroom - buy some plush towels in the same colour as the walls. If you are looking to spend a bit of money now (but I'd wait until you could do it right), paint the vanity and medicine cabinet and change the counter. Then change the towel bars. And get a higher end looking mirror and install lower. Hope this helps. Good luck from Montreal!

you might consider "antiquing" the cabinets. Paint them white or off white, then use Briwax in black, or a type of dark wipe-off glaze that leaves "antique" streaks on the surfaces. This might look quite nice with the irregular textures and details on the oddly mixed cabinetry. Definitely would give a farm house look especially with the recommended check/gingham curtain and well-chosen towels. Even maybe a ruffled "curtain" from coordinating fabric as the shower curtain for that little open niche in the upper cabinet. And coordinating throw rugs. If you have no remodeling money, imaginative use of paint, fabric, and linen accessories go a LONG way.

First of all u will keep the tiles,so u have to make do with it.
I would suggest zat u change the blue grey paint only,paint it white with a few horizontal red liens (black n red will do great)
Then u can buy a nice black n red curtain,n why not check over yr decorations u already have zat r red or black n place it in the bathroom:)
Buy the rugs also the tow colours,add a green plant

N some red candles if u want
I can already view yr bathroom.get yr towels with some red decor too!

You want to retain the rustic theme of the rest of the house: from what I see, you have wood and white which are great for rustic elements. The paradox is the black marble floor. Can you add a series of large white or cream rugs? You want to cover as much floorspace as possible.Everything else will work and a coat of white paint over the existing paint will give you a great starting point that is definitely $ and not $$$I would add ONLY white elements using perhaps chantilly lace or other ruffled elements but not necessarily... just keep to the white and wood...

I wonder if a buttery yellow wouldn't be more in keeping with the farmhouse/rustic you mentioned, and could go well with the current cabinets. I think it needs color instead of more black/white/grey. I like the check or gingham idea for a shower curtain, but again use color. If yellow isn't your thing the use of a red stripes mentioned above could go well with a red check or gingham. I think the mirror needs to be replaced with something framed in the same wood as the cabinets/accessories. It will help reinforce the farmhouse/rustic.

I actually would bring another color into the bath. I love the toile shower curtain idea, but I would run a border of color around it that would match the plush new towels and thick, comfy bath rug you could put down (green or blue). A new mirror (or consignment shop find) that is framed would look great, as would more interesting towel racks. Black, grey and white are all neutrals and a lot of colors will make the room pop. No need for plaids to give it the country feel.

First of all, congratulations on your new home!! And you are VERY fortunate that tile is WHITE and not a color, otherwise you'd be "locked in" and limited as to what you can do....this way, your options are MANY, depending on your taste/preferences. I take my cue from the "farmhouse/rustic" terms you use to describe the overall décor of the home, so here are MY OPINIONS as to how I would change this out..............

1.) first of all REMOVE the vanity/sink/faucet, mirror, towel bars, wall cabinet over toilet, and definitely that MODERN shower curtain...LOL (perhaps the cabinets can be re-used in a laundry room?)

2.) replace sink unit with chest of drawers with same dimensions, a vessel sink bowl, and more rustic faucets....that will also give you more room on top to lay a curling iron or some such item.

3.) install plain tall, rectangular-shaped mirror above the sink, and add pair of shutters in burgundy or barn red tone at each side.

4.) hunt around for a wall cabinet of same dimensions as existing one, only more rustic in style...can even remove the doors of a great "find" and replace with more rustic shutters.

5.) replace towel bars with log-style ones, or make them yourself.

6.) Use a favorite quilt ( front only-no backing-too heavy otherwise ) or buy a shower curtain with a patchwork quilt style in burgundy and green colors

7.) add a rustic basket with handle on floor by tub to hold rolled up towels

8.) add a braided rug in burgundy/green/white colors to minimize the more modern look of the black tile

Basically, it's all about the DECOR and except for the sink unit, it can all be done on a minimal budget..................get creative! Shop flea markets, Goodwill Stores, yard sales, Craig's List, Freecycle, etc. for many of your needs..............Google key words such as "Rustic Bath Décor" and then click "Images"....and have fun checking out all your possibilities!! Good luck!!

would only let me attach 4 pics, so here are more ideas....

First, a new mirror...NOT round) and shower curtain. Maybe the curtain could have a touch of black, to tie in the floor. Then paint away the gray with a color in your curtain. Love the idea of a creamy yellow or sagey green..always good with black. If you found the right fabric, it could tie all your elements, (except the gray!) together. Those towel racks are awkward. (I like hooks, personally.) and hang the shower curtain as high as possible...I've made my own, (and don't really sew,) out of fabric, actual curtains...even a tablecloth. And I like extra fullness for a more custom look. Last, an area rug that works with all of the above...NOT a fuzzy bath mat!
I have a similar inelegant bathroom. So I plan to take my own advice.

Replace the sink with a pedestal sink, replace the hanging cabinet with an over-the toilet white or silver shelving unit. Replace the oval mirror with a nice beveled medicine cabinet that doesn't have to be embedded into the wall (Lowe's carries these). It looks like there's a window behind the shower curtain so I would change out the shower curtain with one that will let more light shine through. Oh and replace the wooden towel bars with ones that will match the over-the-toilet unit. :) Congrats on your new home!

Hi Mary,
You should embrace your black marble and work with it, you are lucky to have such a rich looking floor.
You should remove the unit over the toilet and the towel racks.
Paint the cabinet white, find some interesting knobs and a white countertop and new taps.
Another way is to find an inexpensive dresser (wood or white) with drawers and put a vessel sink on top, pick a tap that looks country. Blending the old with the new is a lovely look.
I have added a few pics., a dresser and vessel sink and country tap, a ladder in place of towel rack for more interest, a polka shower curtain which is fresh and ties in the black floor, and one with a tree - very country with black as well (Bed Bath &Beyond)
Congrats on your new home, I hope I have given you food for thought. Enjoy decorating and I hope you post a pic. when you are done.

Hi Mary, me again, I pushed submit without adding the pic. sorry

I have oak cabinets as well. They are gorgeous but they are hard to match up paint colours with. What if you painted the blue a neutral crispy white and hung a brownish/red or red and taupe plaid curtain rod like in the photos ravensmom13 posted? With red and/or taupe towels? I think that would be on budget and keep it country rustic. Good luck! Post your final reno pics.

paint a deep charcoal gray. Paint the cabinet white. Love the checkered fabric idea

The walls seem to be white tile so I would probably go with black or charcoal grey on the cabinets and towel racks.

Hi, the easiest makeover would be to grey wash the wood and add a wood frame around the mirror (grey or black). I personally don't like shower curtains and always advise to install doors with opaque stripes...but I agree with previous comments in that a full remodel is really worth it in a new home and can be affordable. Live well...

To me, black and white are little more than background. Add the style you want (even that shower curtain you mentioned) and live with it a while. Also, I never think it is a choice between white or off-white (cream?). The two are a color combination if you spread it around the room. Some of these suggestions definitely seem a bit expensive and, if I am correct, that is something you don't want right now. It can be a fun project to keep your eyes open for country-style bargains that would replace the towel bars and cabinetry. I love revensmom13's shutters around a mirror and I love the idea of the checked shower curtain. Black, white, cream (or beige) with a touch of a bright color can certainly be effective in a county-style bath. In due time, that cabinetry needs to go; it is so Home Depot on display for the last 20 years.

Hi, I would paint the walls same colour as the tiles with best quality bathroom paint u can afford and buy a bathroom curtain that fits in with the style of the house , a little fun thou maybe a rooster ? Or just something not too busy you like.
If you have enough $$ and if it is practical you could consider a glass shower partition or door :)

No amount of paint will change the basic style of that cabinetry. Live with it until you can replace it. Don't waste time and money on half-measures.

The problem with the bath is the vanity, towel bars and cabinet. No matter how you change the shower curtain, these wood pieces just seem out if place. I like the idea of replacing vanity with an antique chest. The cabinet over the toilet, could be replaced by shelving. You could cut out the drywall in that area. Mirror the back between the studs and then place glass shelves between the studs. This will provide space for meds and beauty supplies,etc and provide a little more depth in the area. Not really difficult to do, just take it slowly.

How would you make this glass and mirrors approach look Country?

I did this with my bath in my beach house. You can use decor items to country up the area. See pic

The best suggestions are the black and white checked or black and white toile shower curtain depending on if you want to go casual or more elegant and painting the cabinetry white. Big impact; small cost. If you want to replace the countertop/sink you can do that too for not too much additional cost-check out home centers vanity tops with integrated sinks. Of course there are many other ideas given if you want to spend more, but I think those things would make a huge difference and you will love how it looks!

I would paint the wood surfaces white, keep the gray paint, replace the towel holders with white porcelain. Get the pop, with a country flair by using red accents, a red toile, or red checkered table cloth look shower curtain, red
hand towels, etc. have fun with it, work with what you've got and reve it up.

Just a comment on the comments...I am so impressed that so many of you have taken the time to submit suggestions for Mary's bathroom! She should be able to use a lot of your ideas to change the bathroom into a charming space.
I looked at this post because we have a horrible, small bath that is driving me to drink (and I don't drink :-)). When I am able to upload a couple of photos, I will submit my design dilemma to Houzz and hope that I will get some good advice on how to make the space work, too!

One thing I haven't seen with the comments, is to consider an antique white sink. There are architectural salvage places all over the country. I found one for $10 with beautiful hardware, faucet and towel racks on both sides.....paint is easy for the "oak" cabinets as is stain. I love the idea of the antique looking paint with crackle. You could do red under coat with white over coat. Cover the black marble with white or red rugs.

I agree with "paint the cabinetry"---no reason to go to all the expense of changing them. Paint will make all the difference the room requires. Then, any number of the shower curtain suggestions would work very well….

I really like the large round mirror.

Happy New Home Ownership! Good luck with your move!

Looking back up at the photos, I would ditch the big round mirror as well. It's too contemporary. I made a "medicine cabinet once from an old wood washboard for the door with a simple box for the back. But a mirror is nice to have in a bathroom.

Lots of great ideas here. I'd probably consider replacing the shower curtain with a white and black graphic in a whimsical yet classic design (like what cookielady suggested). Then replace the sink with an antique dresser turned vanity. We did this with a cool old maple one picked up at a flea market for $40. Looks amazing. Replace the mirror, wooden towel racks and the over the toilet storage cabinet. And then put in white carpet that has some splash of color...something lively to sparkle the room.

In the beginning stages of remodeling our master bath taking out the bathtub. It is never used and we have another tub in the guest bathroom so I am not concerned about eliminating the one in the master.

I'd like to ask all ... what is the ONE thing that I should consider changing, based on their experience, in a bath remodel to bring it up to date

Shame Mary hasn't been back to this thread and there are so many great ideas. :/

Mary has been back to this thread, thank you, but I am in the process of purging and packing. I have a lot to consider for sure, and I'm liking the idea of painting the cabinets until we can remodel completely.

I know some people like different aspects of the room, like the floor. It just doesn't fit us or the rest of the house. But I think an antiquing paint job on the cabinets is the way I'm going to go in the meantime. I'm just having a hard time with the cream sink with white walls, toilet, and bathtub. Has anyone found a shower curtain that will go with the cream and white without looking awful with the black swirly marble? I'm thinking I may have to throw rugs to cover most of the floor?

Hi Mary, Sorry you are so overloaded with packing and trying to make all these decisions. You asked for a beige and white shower curtain. I don't know where you live, I'm in Toronto, Ontario. so I was looking on line at Linens and Things and they have one that looks to be cream with a white Hibiscus and is $20.99. Also I checked out Bed Bath and Beyond and they have one called Natures Moments $19.99 which seem to have the shades you want. I checked out Linen Chest and Kitchen Plus but not your colors. Anyway I am attaching pics of the two, you may not like the patterns but at least those are a few stores you don't have to look at, assuming you even have these stores. Good luck, I hope you find just what you are looking for.

why does everybody insist on even keeping a shower curtain? why not replace it with glass to make the area feel bigger? it's super easy to install.. just to drill into the wall and silicone the edges

r0j0e....obviously you are thin, agile, and young...LOL....when we moved into our home, they had glass doors on the tub...first thing I did was to remove them and put in a shower curtain...my hubby has bad knees and we are senior citizens...plus he's a little on the larger side....it was VERY difficult for him to maneuver around the partial glass door PLUS step up over the tub edge...too much chance of him losing his balance.....with a shower curtain, you push it aside all the way and voila! easy to exit the tub and much safer.....to each his own, and for their own reasons.......