I think white would be nice.

Wow! That's really... loud. I think the best thing you can do while waiting to gut is to cut down on the contrast. That means choosing one of the dark colours from your tile or cabinet and painting the walls. It will also mean getting higher wattage lights since it will be darker.

Here are some options taken from the existing colours. I'm not really fussed about any of them (maybe the mid or dark grey), but they're better than the high contrast lilac.

maybe

a little more maybe

just no! (taken from red and grout colour)

and more no! (taken from cabinet colour)

I can't post the green version. It would be too cruel. :P

and this is plain white:

It's better than lilac but not a lot better.

haha! I have a 1990 built home- master with similar marble and terra cotta stone in the shower; enormous wall mirror over double vanity. The walls are a "vanilla cream" is the best I can describe. Same cabinets and gold/brass fixtures... fortunately it's functional and not for "public use" so not fussing, others projects to address first :)

I agree with your comment about talk of the town. It still is now, but for different reasons!

You've inspired me to add painting this bathroom to my project list and I expect it will help me move on to the MBR, too! Thanks for this great info.

Do you live in OK? My daughter and her Hubs just bought the twin of your house......the actual marble/granite is on everything in all of the bathrooms and with all the cherry cabinetry it is worse than the pictures you posted and yes the bathrooms are like being in a cave.....I would change out the counter top to white anything and paint the walls white if only to add light to the room.

A minor consideration, but you can use a neutral grout paint to cover the pink

Actually your bath walls should be a flesh tone and lavender is more alive than gray? LOL I wonder if a dusty rose might be in the trial balloon efforts?

http://us.farrow-ball.com/pink-ground/colours/farrow-ball/fcp-product/100202?split=&product=&sample=&gclid=CjwKCAjw-dXaBRAEEiwAbwCi5jqg8k-6e9ULYd1BDNOcYdQuxCdLs4o3RH4vHkwiCbApPquX3BviUBoCc4EQAvD_BwE

Embrace the cave. Go dark and get candles. It could be oddly relaxing.

I'd pull a black from the tile and put that on the cabinets.

The counter top looks like it's Formica. I'd get one of the Rustoleum kits for countertops and paint it the same color of white as the tub.

Or just look into replacing the counter top with Formica, wouldn't cost that much. Again, the white needs to relate to the tub.

For the walls, I'd go a few steps lighter in value than the marble and cabinets.

Something like Chelsea Gray or Kendall Charcoal from BenM. You'd have to get a gray for the walls from the same hue family as the black, grays in the marble.

Then you'd basically be left with a black, white bathroom with a few hits of green and brass.

Sans the jaunty green trim, the condo I am renting while I am remodeling has the same attractive tile but accented with a Burgundy pink sink. The foyer which is right outside the guest bath is done with contrasting cheap marble tiles with a black faux marble painted ceiling.

Caveat that looks can't kill - or bad taste - but those large marble tiles are as slippery as ice when wet. When I get out of the shower I need to make certain that my feet never touch marble until they are safely shoved into slippers with non-skid soles. You can't even get any traction on the toilet with wet bar feet ha ha.

Jennifer K, thank you for the ideas and taking the time for some visuals (and humor!)

Mail4Tar, we’re connected :) I do think that paint can improve upon this enough… good luck with your project.

Susan Davis, the house is in MA. It’s a testament to the importance of choosing timeless finishes, so a homeowner and future home owners don’t get locked in to a narrow set of design choices.

Hummingalong, nice idea to re-do the grout!

Mrykbee, embrace the cave! I may just do that.

Laurie Sawaya, thank you for your insight. I’m not sure what the vanity top is, but it feels like stone, it’s rough underneath. But, I have no idea. It definitely does not go! I can visualize it matching the tub, good idea.

Helen, you’re funny, “jaunty green trim”! Thanks for the humor. You, mail4tar, Susan’s daughter and I are connected with bold 90’s marble. I don’t feel so alone anymore.

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I’m leaning towards a dark gray for the cabinets with a lighter, related gray for the walls, and better lighting. I’d love to replace the vanity top, but… I’m not sure that’s in the budget.

I’ll post back with the finished project in a few weeks.

Covering up stuff helps too, LOL. Toss a sizable area rug in a nice subdued dark color over that noisy floor, and put some dresser trays, perfume bottles, etc on the countertop. Maybe light a vanilla candle for peacefulness...

We are fortunate to have a large window and skylight on the south side with lots of light. We are in MA, too. I might post a picture- we can have an ugly contest!

mail4tar, I also have a large window and skylight, on the south-east side.