It's hard to see details in the photo, but it certainly doesn't look heinous to me. Before you spend money on reglazing the tiles, you might look into what paint color on the wall does. Clashing whites (i.e. your current walls and tiles) can make a perfectly fine white look dull or dirty. Re-grouting does wonders too, and can be DIY.

I too find the bathroom quite nice. Maybe it's just the size of the image, but I think I would just add some flowers, another lamp/mirror and that would be alright.

Wow - really? I love this bathroom. Very classic. Are those basketweave tiles on the floor? We just remodeled one of ours to have this same effect, but it's a budget redo and we couldn't get all the great details you have here. I agree with home body regarding brightening things up. Maybe a nice grey on the walls, some updated hardware/fixtures. Something deco-style, perhaps. Little things to make it feel more yours, but looks like the overall style of the room is really nice.

I love how blue and brown looks together -- maybe paint the top a soft blue and get a shower curtain with an interesting and complementary print?

Hire a designer.

i actually love the idea of a charcoal/dark grey on the walls...something a bit darker that will allow those white tiles and brown border tile to stand out

definitely change out that white shower curtain..it's making your tiles look yellow which you don't want...so go with a color...anything other than white...i kind of like this choice: http://www.giggle.com/category_product.aspx?id=23848

then i think the idea of a couple CB2 pebble mats in front of the shower and vanity (http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=11028&f=4456) will boost the spa quality and allow the brown tiles to pop

maybe even start hunting for a new vanity mirror in a similar brown tone as the brown tiles...here's one at crate & barrel for $149 that might do the trick: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14303&f=34464

then play with some blue accents with either your curtain or towels or floral accents...it'll add that touch of spa like feel and coordinate with the rest of your home color palette

also, if you're still stuck...here's three great redecorating color schemes (scan down to the bottom of our post) for bathroom accessories that might get your mind going too: http://www.casacullen.com/2010/02/interior-inspiration-great-master-bathroom-layouts.html

cheers - http://www.casacullen.com

Just painting the trim white wold do wonders

I believe "the trim" is actually tile.

If you really, truly need to reglaze the tub to make the space move-in livable, go for it. If you are really getting ready to embark on a bathroom reno, then save your money and plan on getting a new tub... NOT the biggest expense you will be facing.

The bathroom really isn't that bad compared to others from that era. I definitely agree with painting the walls a charcoal gray color. I would also put up crown molding (very easy to get from any home improvement store and easy to install with a miter saw and nail gun). If you do the crown, I would also suggest painting the ceiling 2-3 shades lighter gray for real drama. Others suggestions include:
* replacing the current mirror/medicine cabinet with a framed mirror
* Replace the dated light fixture
* Get plantation shutters for the bathroom window
* Raise the shower curtain rod to the ceiling to make the room feel bigger and higher
* Get a runner for the bathroom that picks up all the colors in the room

Also, does the tile extend under the current vanity? If so, tear out the vanity, clean the tile and replace with one that is slimmer and has legs to reduce the clunky feel.

Good luck!
~Erin @ Cultivating Home

This bathroom is so much like the one I just moved into! I think you will find after living there that it isn't as heinous as you think.... most people's suggestions about shower curtain raising and changing, grey walls, and some small changes (the light fixture!) will make it much nicer! Mine is slightly narrower than this and I am having a problem trying to find a sink that isn't so in the way/clunky/etc.

Re: reglazing tiles--what makes you think you need to do that? My subway tiles have been painted and I will be removing the paint, but I can only imagine needing to regrout them with grey grout.

Agreed about saving money on reglazing tile UNTIL you change out the paint. The white curtain makes tile seem dirty. Either match the tile perfectly or do a contrast color that works with the tile. Chocolate brown towels (is that brown or maroon?) and choc crown framed mirror. Art in a brown frame. Ditch those nasty floor rugs...enjoy the vintage tile floor. Keep it simple in there...it's not heinous!

I don't see the problem - just a bit of the grey paint you're using elsewhere would be great in this bathroom.
Perhaps a couple shades darker grey for the vanity would give that a nice update too?

A little part of me dies when I hear of someone wanting to rip out these great vintage bathrooms, esp. that great basektweave floor.... but to each his own. I have this same bathroom. When we moved in, we re-grouted the whole bathroom. This is only a lot of work in the tub area, that gets water on it. You have to dig out the old stuff and this is tedious and a pain in the neck. For the rest of the bathroom, you can just apply the grout directly over the old stuff and it stays on, no problem. Yes, the tiles have yellowed and aged but that's part of the vintage charm. Re-grouting will be the biggest improvement you can do-you'll be amazed how great these tiles look when you do this. The other thing you can do is paint the grout. I've done this - a little paintbrush from the dollar store and I used outdoor latex- a weekend project that lasts. We also re-glazed the tub, and of course you have to re-caulk everything. Fresh white paint against older tiles doesn't work, you need a much darker contrasting colour to make the tiles look white again and stand out. I'd replace the vanity, other suggestions to replace the medicine cabinet and light fixtures are bang on as well.

I guess it's all relative but that bathroom looks pretty good to me - my rented flat has a fibreglass bathtub with handles, a very scuffed vinyl floor, and a new institutional-looking light fitting that the landlord put in to replace the pretty pressed-glass thing that was there before. [And I still think my bathroom's decidedly bearable for now!] Paint the walls (and the vanity unit) and change the stuff that's easy - shower curtain, light fitting, mirror, blind, toilet seat. If you get the lighting right, I think a dark greyish-blue could look amazing. If you want to spend more put some new taps [faucets] in that are appropriate to the 'vintage' style of the room. Then I think it could be a really very nice bathroom.

I think this bathroom is adorable! I like it just how it is, but I think Cathie made some good suggestions too. I'd paint the room, and then if you want to, replace the vanity and put up a different mirror/medicine cabinet. But really, don't fight this bathroom. It has plenty of charm and it is far from heinous. A potted plant and a couple prints, a new shower curtain and paint, and you're good to go in my opinion.

I agree with medium grey walls and new fixtures. If you really want to update then a glass inclosure for the shower tub, any way to go without a shower curtain is ideal.

I have a similar bathroom. I replaced the shower curtain with glass shower screen. It anchors to the tile/wall with a couple of stainless hinges. Mine is only 24 inches wide, and it works great. We really only open it to clean it. The few splashes that come off our body are dealt with by a bath bat.

Our vanity was in mint condition but it did not function well, as you had to get on your hands and knees to open the cupboards to get anything out, due to the narrow space. Your's looks like it has a similar issue. We replaced the vanity with a custom period one that has 6 drawers intstead of two cupboards. Huge benefit.

Between those two items, a new mirror and sink/faucet and paint we got a totally new looking bathroom for about 2,000. The bathroom still looks vintage, it just looks like updated vintage and functions so much better.

"reglaze" the tiles? Have you seen this in person, because IMO, It's never anything other than ICK, ICK, ICK!! Not to mention that it's nasty and toxic.

You've gotten some excellent advice here. Paint first, freshen up the vanity or replace it with something more functional. The tile will be fine, and probably even likable once the bad mix of mismatched whites is addressed.

Start with the lighting. I had ugly yellow kitchen tile counters that were actually a very elegant bone white once I changed the warmth of the lighting. I bought all the compact florescent (looking for energy efficiency) bulbs available and tried them all until I liked the light quality for the room. To my surprise, the counter were no longer yellow. A new lighting fixture is a must. The lighting may also change you choice of paint significantly.
I also agree that the bright white accessories are not doing you any favors. Contrasting accessories would give a much cleaner look to the space and allow work with the whites you do have.

Not pink, but I believe this applies here...

http://savethepinkbathrooms.com/

It looks like I had the same first thought as others. It's not that bad! A chalky brown paint color would set off the tiles nicely.

really? this is so not heinous. i would love to have this to work with! it kills me to hear it described that way because i fear all the character will be taken out and replaced with some god awful trendy spa bathroom.

i'll add something more constructive and say that the last 2 pictures in this post are the way i'd go, though i'd stencil instead of wall papering:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/bathroom/bold-wallpaper-in-the-bath-amp-kitchen-lonny-109968

I like the bathroom. To each his own. But since you are into gray, it would look good with the red touches in the tile.

just take down the tile... it'd do wonders to bring it into this millennium! the tile is the only thing keeping you from the colors you want.

A bathroom with similar tile that looks stunning:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/colortherapy/fish-in-the-bathroom-two-fishes-bathrooms-for-children-colortherapy-110442

it's not heinous. the sink box looks a bit out of place, the lever faucet more so. maybe bring back the vintage sink on legs; if some storage is needed, can dress it up with a fabric skirt: mattress ticking to go with a dove grey paint as above or some chintz to celebrate the mcm of it or a white in the same hue as the tiles (hunt for it) with grosgrain trim? can match it to the shower curtain, too. skip sliding glass doors; the track generate mold. wall paint will change how the tile looks; stay on the pale side & avoid green tints.