From "eye" distance your tile is predominately browns and tans. Try a medium brown/tan so the tile "blends" with the wall color.

HTH.

I also do not dislike that tile, it could be worse; it reads very warm so I would get an ivory tone on the walls, such as the grout color, even lighter; I would also use the white fixtures, for more crispness.

A large mirror framed in silver would look good and tone down the warmth.
You could also accessorize with black framed prints, something in a black and white photo or design.

I would try a sample quart of bm lenox tan or sw latte. I think it will make you tile blend in and recede. I think it would look great with a dark vanity!

I also think a wall color close to the grout color would work well. Maybe towels and accessories to pick up the gray/blue. And please post an "after" photo so we can see what actually does work. (I think the tile is interesting and you're going to really like the finished bathroom. I can see how it might be a bit overwhelming in shower and floor, though.)

There's a Moorish style to those tiles that's actually a bit appealing, IMO.

Since you want them to blend in, rather than to stand out, either an ivory or tan would do the trick.

If you decide to embrace them, stick with the grey/blue and do everything else in a crisp white.

I don't think the grey is doing what you want. It's too great a contrast.

I agree with Parma -- rather than trying to "draw the eye away" from the tile, you would have more success by blending it in.

I would suggest a warm brown for the walls. This will make the tiles part of the room and dilute their impact. Something like SW "Trusty Tan"...
{{!gwi}}

And then perhaps some dark brown towels... would be very elegant and sophisticated.

If it were me, I would probably color the grout first so there's not so much pattern. I think a darker color, maybe the blue-gray or a the middle value brown. I like the pattern and agree with Parma's Moorish ID, but think I'd want it to be a bit less prominent. Whatever you decide for the grout will probably work on the walls as well. I personally like the idea of gray-blue walls and would hesitate to have too much brown in a bathroom (walls, floors, vanity) but I am not so into the monochromatic look. YMMV!

Heres a couple of pics of what I did with my fugly tile in the last house. I needed to sell and didn't want to spend much money. Gray and peach....blech! I tried to find a color to work with it and finally, with help from my friends here, decided to embrace the tile for what it was and paint the walls gray. Ben Moor Gray Horse, to be exact. Wouldn't win any prizes, but I did sell my house in a crummy market for a good price. That's prize enough for me! :-)

Try this method (at the link), dropping chips on the tile to see what looks best. You can narrow down the possibilities very quickly.

I think it's good-looking tile, just not with that wall color.

Here is a link that might be useful: Picking Paint

How about going a darker color of brown? As I was looking at the tile, I realized the goal would be to remove the contrast, so nix on the gray. Then I thought about a tan and the floor would still be a focal point, because tan usually falls into the background and then the eye would go to the darker color. So how about matching the darkest color of brown in the tile, so then the floor would look "clean and bright"? Just a thought. It would be tricky finding a dark brown that will go with the vanity....

Okay, my suggestion made me curious how it would work, so I photoshopped:
{{!gwi}}

I agree with choosing a rust color (match tile color).

I agree something in the tan/brown family would look better, but I would love to know what the beautiful blue on the left is?

Laurie

If it were me, I would probably color the grout first so there's not so much pattern

That's exactly what I was thinking... the grout is what is making the tile scream "Look at me!!!!"

Kaz
I would agree with coloring the existing grout - that will take some trial/error - a grey may do it, then I like the idea of russet -like dian has photoshopped great choice! grey accents would work

Pics of the room would be a big help - in seeing the whole room - That would also help w/decision re: toilet/counter/sink
but based on what I see the bone may be best - your thoughts w/white are probably correct in too much contrast

Thanks to all your wonderful ideas and for giving me a new perspective on our bath tile.

Parma, I had to look up "moorish" -- and you're right -- how cool!

As much as I agree with the tans/browns idea to disguise the tile -- dainaadele, your photoshopping was awesome -- I think I've decided to go outside my comfort level and embrace the uniqueness of this tile (like someone here mentioned) vs. disguising it. Plus, after 12 years with a brown bathroom (we had tan walls and brown rugs and towels), we're ready for a change. I went to BM today and had help finding "sweet innocence", a grey/blue tone vs blue/grey. I just put a second coat of sample paint on and I'll see if I still like it tomorrow, but I think it's a keeper.

The idea of making the grout a darker color still interests me, but I have no experience doing this. What product would I use? Is it hard to apply? Are the results on such old grout consistent? Would it hold up in the shower? Maybe I should leave the grout alone if I'm going with the lighter wall color, yes?

Laurie, the darker blue/gray color on the left is Lowe's Valspar Woodlawn Silver Brook (5001-1B). It has a green undertone that I hadn't realized til I put it on the wall. I've never worked with grey paints before and boy are they tricky!

I'll post pics when I'm done to get your consensus as to whether I pulled off a moorish, contemporary, warm, and fresh updated master bath! :)

I love dainaadele's photoshop above (Aug 13, 09 at 17:42).
The darker wall color makes the tile look like an intentional element of the design.
I can see it with some fluffy, grey towels and brushed nickel accessories, including hardware and faucets.

I also like the tiles. With the bathroom decorated and furnished the right way the tiles would be Amazing!!

I'm looking forward to seeing your finished bathroom. I also like your tile. I've seen some really ugly tile on this board but yours is really kind of cool looking.

I thought Spanish when I saw it. Love it with the dark wood vanity (and mirrors?), pewter or nickel fixtures, ORB might be too dark with the vanity (pulls) but if you don't use pulls/knobs then ORB towel bars and faucets might be good, if you don't mind all the dark finishes. Glad you found a paint you liked. I don't have any experience coloring grout, but if it's been sealed it may not take the color (or worse, take it in worn areas but not in still-sealed areas).