First of all, I like it as it is. It appears in the picture to have a nice, rich colored stain, but sometimes pictures can be deceiving. It might be a candidate for restore-a-finish to enhance the wood and add some nice hardware.

Back to painting - I think it would depend on what other colors you are going to use. Are you changing out the vanity top? What color will the vinyl flooring be? I love white vanities, but not usually with white tops. If you are keeping the top, a black or expresso color would be nice. Also, are you changing out the mirror or keeping it? If you change the mirror, that might also dictate how you finish the vanity.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

Tuesday

Thanks for the response Tuesday and the feedback about the cabinet. It's oak with a heavy grain stained in a cognac type color and seems very 80's to me. Not my flavor at all hence the painting idea. If I had my druthers, I'd change it for something a little bit smaller but like I said, it's condition is great and since it's a secondary bathroom I don't want to spend $$ needlessly.

I didn't include the specifics about all the other components like flooring and countertop because I've not chosen either and want the cabinet color I decide on to dictate that. I'm leaning towards a dark colored cabinet with light flooring and light counter top but have no clue on specific paint colors that would work. Don't want straight black I don't think so what's a good espresso color? The mirror was oxidized and is gone.

BM Bittersweet Chocolate is one I remember a few posters used. I think painting the cabinet dark with a light counter will really freshen up the room.
This old thread has a discussion about espresso colors....

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0123023217081.html

Sorry, I don't know how to make it a clickable link.

Is there a reason you are changing out the floor? Is it vinyl, or tile? Personally, I like the floor as is.

As to the vanity, if you are thinking a light blue-grey for the walls, what about doing the cabinet in a dark grey, rather than brown or black? I think it would be elegant, and the grey tones are very big right now. Then add hardware in a brushed nickel or chrome, perhaps even with some glass knobs for some sparkle.

Rather than limit yourself to a shower curtain, think about getting drapery panels (something in cotton that can take the water) and use vinyl shower curtain liners behind. That opens up more interesting choices for you.

Oh thanks elle, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Les, yes the floor is some old vinyl, it's dated and in some areas it's stained and in less than great condition. Also, it's hard to describe what we plan on doing but essentially we're going to split the room into two separate areas and the flooring will need to come up for that anyways. We'll be leaving it for this temporary make over, but during the final remodel, the new vinyl with grout will go in. Since it's on the second floor the vinyl won't have as much weight and I love the way it looks with the grout, you really can't tell it's not tile!

The gray cabinet idea is a very interesting one. I like different and am intrigued enough to try some samples and test it. I'm going to keep that clever idea of curtain panels on my list too, never thought of that, great idea! Thanks so much!

Even if you added hardware to the vanity, that would update it and make it fresher looking. I painted the new kitchen pantry cabs in a dark espresso..can't recall the name now, but it was a primer/paint all in one I got at Home Depot. I must be tired, I can't even recall the brand! I love that paint. It covered beautifully in two coats and is durable as all get out.

If I can get my act together, I'll try to get you the name & color tomorrow if you're interested.

Pesky, thanks so much, I'd really appreciate that!

I agree that with the current floor and countertop, espresso or black would be nice.

Regardless here are some pics of my painted 80's vanity in white (BM Bone White) which is also the guest bathroom. I don't have a before picture, but it was pretty bad w/wallpaper to remove too! I painted the cabs and updated the hardware to brushed SS a few years back. I just recently repainted the walls.

I'm not loving the final outcome here, but it'll do. I had a lot of trouble finding just the right blue and I gave up on it. Blue is hard to photograph too so some of these pics look even more blue than they really are.

Have you considered going the route of cabinet refacing? It could give you a totally different look--if you paint the vanity, it still has that traditional look because of the inside molding. Refacing gives you the option of a more contemporary front for the doors and drawers. I'm pretty sure Sears does it, probably lots of other places. Might be worth finding out what these companies can do and how much it'd cost.

It could be a good alternative to trying to decorate around a vanity that you really don't like in the first place!

Wendy, I love your bathroom redo. It's looks great. Blue is hard to photo, the blue you used is very similar to the blue we used in our guest room and we loved it so much, we painted our Master the same color! The white cabinet looks very fresh and has me questioning my ideas now. LOL I love the curtain too. It all ties very well together.

Pammy - thanks for the idea. It's actually a great suggestion because my DH prefers wood and that would be a fair compromise for both of us. :c) It can't hurt to ask right?