I don't know what her budget is but would advise sticking to black or burnished pewter color accessories in her Old World scheme. It's very expensive to start changing out things to orb and then notice when things like the shower and faucets don't look too nice in combo.

First thing to go would be the Hollywood lights IMO. The cabs look pretty dark so maybe a nice green for the walls. Gold doesn't seem to look as good with chrome and white vanity tops. Terra Cotta might work but again the cabs....

She could frame the mirror or replace with two separate ones (assuming the sink's a double). I can't see from the one pic, where towel bars go or if the ledges are deep enough to stack some there.

Oh, yes. Here are a few more pictures to give you an idea of the room. Great suggestion about sticking to black. I'm pretty sure she will want to change out faucets, but not right away. It's just that darn drywall that has me stumped!!

How "old world" do you want to go? That tiered drywall looks almost like an aztec pyramid!

I would go for a gold colour on the walls and definitely new mirrors and lights, but truthfully I don't think this bathroom is going to look at all "old world" regardless of what you do unless it is gutted and redone.

The cabinets would work with old-world style but not much else as it is right now.

The mirror and light fixtures are easy fixes. Take the light bar down and do 2 carved framed mirors and sconces. Switch out the faucets and add some hardware to the cabinet.

Totally agree with Citymom that green would be a great color. If your friend really wants to get that old-world feel she could tile the terrace and bath in Moroccan type tile.

lol @kswl. Reminds me of DH watching "Holmes on Holmes" reciting in unison...Gut it!

I think the overhead light looks a little odd on the sloped ceiling. I'd opt for a hanging light of some kind.

Wouldn't go quite so far as kswl, you certainly can add some Old World accents to give it a certain direction, but I wouldn't stray too much from one particular theme or country. Don't think eclectic would make it, just try for transitional.

Look for a color in the flooring to pick up for the walls perhaps. I don't think I'd paint the steps a different color. maybe the landings? if you'd like.

I'll be intersted to hear from others with ideas.

Wish I could help but what was this builder thinking when he built this thing?
If money did not matter I'd make it into storage space.
Reminds me of our TH where the fireplace is 3 feet into the room instead of being on the outside. Then there was about 40 inches of wall space adjacent to the fireplace that was bricked and had a wood box in the lower part. We had the brick wall cut out before we moved in, and since had the space built in with a cabinet for our computer. When space costs $100. SF and up that is a lot of money spent on useless space. This is in the keeping room so it works out really well for us. I feel the same way about plant shelves, not for me.

First -- start by removing the huge mirror and replace it with a framed mirror over each sink. Change the faucets (or taps) to oil-rubbed bronze.

Change out the lighting over the sinks to oil-rubbed bronze. And add a chandelier or at least a track light system in oil-rubbed bronze instead of the overhead fixture.

Remove the towel rack over the toilet -- and add shelves or a cabinet or even artworks. Instead -- get a long coat rack with double hooks to hang up to hold towels. Add double hooks to the back of the main door too.

Looking through to the bedroom -- her bedding has a nice green tone and gold tone -- either one would work with the colors in the tiles. For example -- (just an example) -- check out a color like Sherwin William "High Tea" (#6159) or "Eminent Bronze" (#6412)

Without ripping out the whole shelves -- investigate finding a carpenter that would outline the shelves with simple strong mouldings OR perhaps even add tiles (maybe glass tiles or even inexpensive tumbled marble ones?) along the main "faces" ((the sides that face the room))

Look for artworks with more of those Olde Worlde colors -- olives, sages, golds, saffron with lots of black touches.