Woah, that bathroom is something special! With all that tile I see why your wallet can't handle gutting the tile out. Can you afford to have it painted over with that special tile paint (sorry I don't know what it's called)? If not...

A more open and airy style of vanity might work well... that white vanity just looks completely disconnected from the "style" of the green/pink. A pretty, light floral shower curtain might look nice too.

Personally, I like the vintage tiles. I"m much more troubled by the countertop and sink. It looks like 80's faux marble plastic or something. Replacing the sink with maybe a pedestal in that same 50's style would be nice. A simple vanity would be nice too. The floor is not really clear from the pics. If it's nice pink tile, then I'd just leave it. It looks more like it's linoleum...I'm not used to seeing that in these vintage bathrooms and I don't know what would look good there. Your shower stall isn't as bad as it could be-like those hideous shiny brass ones. A curtain might be nice. I'd keep it all a little kitschy, but that's me.

What about resurfacing only the pink tub and all the pink tile in white? If the tilework itself is in good shape, resurfacing might give you a more modern look and tie in the vanity as well.

I had a very similar issue in my rental bathroom: light green and light blue tiles that went from floor to half-way up the wall, and up to the ceiling in the shower. Also, the floor was a terrible grey and green tile.

It may seem odd, but I covered the floor in FLOR carpet tiles. They are relatively inexpensive, and many styles are made for higher traffic areas. I got one that is a tighter weave and its honestly perfect. (http://www.flor.com/straight-and-narrow-gray.html)

Also, maybe try painting the walls a darker color, to offset the pastel feeling of the tiles and give the room a little more strength. Charcoal or a deep grey might look unexpectedly great.

And I agree, a new vanity could work wonders! And new shower curtain would be mega helpful. It actually looks like there is enough space between the shower door and the edge of the tile that you could hang a curtain rod without having to remove the existing shower door -- just cover it up! that could save some money :)

My husband & I bought a 1930's home with very few "updates." So trust me when I say, you have the potential to need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on much more pressing & necessary fixes before spending more than $100 on the bathroom.

I recommend just getting a shower curtain to screen off all that tile- you could mount it to the wall above & make sure it's long enough to cover that pink tub. I've seen those hotel style bars that curve out, so you could even just leave the glass there as a temporary basis. Light floral or solid white would be just fine, depending on your taste.

Good luck & report back after you close!

First off: Pergo isn't for use in wet areas -That's just a bad idea.

Secondly, I recommend looking at RetroRenovation.com - You'll perhaps find ways to love your vintage bathroom for what it is.

If it were my place, I'd simply remove the awful HomeDepot vanity and medicine cabinet and find a vintage freestanding sink console and medicine cabinet at the local re-use store that are era-appropriate for your fabulous bathroom.

Okay, this might sound crazy, but go with me on this: consider painting walls above the tile a tangerine orange color (example: Behr "Poppy Glow". The sea-green tiles take on a contemporary celadon-like or jade-like effect next to the tangerine, and the pink becomes a tiny accent color.

This is kind of the color palette I'm thinking of: http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2008/10/28/ac68a13239b4.jpg

I have nearly the same color tile in my bathroom. I'm a renter, so a major demo is out of the question. I decided the best thing to do was to embrace the color.

I painted the walls a nice rich gray and put in a graphic city scape shower curtain in gray, black and white (http://www.target.com/Room-Essentials-Cityscape-Shower-Curtain/dp/B003ATB97G).
A gray bath rug, a few glass shelves with minimal accessories in gray, and bright white fluffy towels updates the space well. It looks MUCH better.

Good luck!

That tile's freaking awesome. Paint the rest of the wall a complementary color, and leave it.

http://savethepinkbathrooms.com/

I was thinking along the same lines as uniq.grace. The stainless looks good against the tile, so I was thinking gray paint on the vanity and walls (I might even try a little metallic).

My first thought was painting the walls grey, as well. It would fit with the retro/deco look of the bathroom. I would also save dollars on replacing the vanity right now. It's mostly the stark white that looks jarring. Some sanding and priming, and a coat of paint, probably in the family of what you paint the walls would be swell and tide you over until you have more fundage.

It's hard to see the floor, but it looks to be the same color scheme. I would get a large grey rug to pull it together, leaving some of green/pink trim of the floor to show.

Go to Lilly Pulitzer and get some home accessories. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

I second the RetroRenovation.com site, so much inspiration.

I agree with bepsf.

I feel for you -- I'd gut it if it took my last penny, but that's me.

I think, if you can stomach it, you might benefit from a chintz floral shower curtain that includes both colors, hopefully on a field of bright white to lighten up the room. You could either paint the walls the same bright white, or go with a very light color from the fabric.

And, I agree with changing out the vanity.

I'm with Act2 on reglazing the tub and pink tiles. The green tile can work. The 80’s Home Depot special vanity should be replaced with pedestal sink, preferrably vintage from a salvage place.

I respect you for wanting to lay off the wallet. I agree with the gray walls. I would just keep the door. There will be tiles that will be damaged. Honestly, if you have $45.00 that will buy you a Homax bathtub/tile refinishing kit. It comes with cleaner and two spray cans of paint. I have done it a few times and have loved the results. It is tedious but not hard. You can turn that pink and green into white...paint the walls what you want, and all the sudden the cabinet fits until you get to do the real renovation. Homax can be found at Lowes or HD. Buy the spray kind NOT the brush on kind..its easier and you have better results.

http://iloverehabs.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/00017f.jpeg

I too am on-board with gray. did the same (nice deep gray) with my LAVENDER bathtub. White floor (VCT) and all-white cabinets - actually looks kinda swank now...

I agree that if you are going to love the tile you need to renovate the bathroom so that the vanity matches the period of the tile—and that probably means more tile on the floor.

Have them professionally sprayed all one color. Many people in our 50s neighborhoods have done it with great success. And it costs practically nothing - like $500 or less to do a whole bathroom.

I agree with the paint/reglaze tile and tub in white. Go white, and then the vanity won't stick out like a sore thumb. You'll then be able to paint walls whatever color you want. It's a small investment versus living with something you are not happy with or proud of.

We have a bathroom that is really similar only mostly pink with light blue accents. We had the reglazers come out for quotes and it was over 2,000 (not in the budget since we JUST bought the house). I'm going to look into the spray paint stuff, but at this point I've decided to embrace it and go with crazy black and white wall paper :)

Thanks everyone for the great advice and tips! Have you seen anthropologie's lovely larks wallpaper? I'm thinking that and a simple white pedestal sink...
I am embracing the pink and green thanks to all your help!
Jane

You've already had some good ideas about the tile, so I'll add an idea about the vanity. I had a similar vanity in a previous house. Had a plastic (?) glittery faux marble top with built-in shallow shell-shaped sink. The vanity itself had gaudy gold accents. I painted the vanity and found a special two-part epoxy sort of coating to paint the counter and sink with. My craftsmanship wasn't the best, but it looked better than it did before. And it was cheaper than getting another vanity, sink, and faucet combo.

I would cry...

Please do not reglaze them. I'm hardly a preservation pursist, but that bathroom has so much personality. It's so cool and will be a selling point in the future to just as many people as it will turn off. Please consider embracing it. Get rid of the boring vanity but keep the pink and green, please.

purist that was, not pursist.

I just looked at the wallpaper - it's wonderful! I think it would be great.

I like Lisa's suggestion.

Find a wallpaper or shower curtain that picks up the pink & green as accent colors but "reads" in a color you like. The right color and print is the one that makes you happy. Lose the vanity.

I agree with many of the commenters. The vanity has to go!

I'm not sure about using a shower curtain, though. I think clean lines would be best, and the shower curtain would add fussiness. Perhaps using an etching material on the glass might be an idea.

I agree with BepSF: a freestanding vintage vanity would look good. A gray could work on the walls, but I think white is nice and fresh. I like the glass shower door, it's a modern element that doens't distract from the vintage feel. Plus, they keep your bathroom a lot cleaner/dryer than a shower curtain. And do you know what a glass door like that costs?!
If you want more privacy or something to block the view of the tiles, maybe add some static plastic? You could cut it to follow the pattern in the tiles.

I love the wallpaper from Anthropologie and think it would really make the vintage tile shine!

However, if you still can't get a past the tile, an old (and inexpensive) trick of the trade is to beadboard over it. In fact, another design firm did that in this past spring's DC Design House. The original tile was asked to remain by the owners, but it did not match their design motif. Plus this way your house doesn't lose the integrity of the vintage tile that may be appreciated by someone else down the road. Something to consider....

Okay - although I might be the 100th entry here, I will give you my two cents. I had a similar bathroom that I JUST went thru a partial renovation (I will send a rundown to AT in a week or so). What I would do, I would remove all the pink tiles myself. I did this with a number of tiles that needed to be replaced. So if you remove the edging pink tile, and the shower ceiling pink tile, then the rest wont be as offensive. Do not go with pergo flooring - it is a BAD idea in the bathroom. I found at a local tile shop long plank looking wood looking ceramic tiles - they are AWESOME. Add visual warmth to the bathroom but are proper strong tile that will live forever. I agree with free standing vanity. Check IKEA, they have some very clean looking vanities and they are sturdy - especially if you mount them carefully - I can attest for myself. The green tile is cool, minus the pink... (what do some people think :-)) If you do go with the process of removing tiles you need to be aware of two things: You will need a grout remover tool - I believe they come in electric form - power tools section at homedepot, and if you remove the pink tile ceiling in the bathroom , you need to protect the bath and other tiles, bcs you might need to break with a hammer. Then you have to be careful, bcs you will need water resistant sheetrock to place over the tub, and then paint after primed with water, mildew resistant paint.
But as a homeowner in Astoria NY, where a lot of the old stock is similar to this - I do not think this is a deal breaker - go for it, and even if you live with this for a few years, while you fix the most pressing problems, then you will get to the point to where you know when this is the RIGHT thing to do... :-)

OMG. That tile is amazing. http://savethepinkbathrooms.com -- I agree with the posters above.
When you have the money, replace that god awful home depot mirror, door, and sink/cabinet with period appropriate pieces.

my parents installed an all pink bathroom in 1966 and hated it. it's interesting the colors my mom used to camoflauge it over the years: bright red in the 60s, brown in the 70s, and slate blue in the 80s.

agree with everyone the vanity and cabinet are way worse. If you're going to embrace and live with the tile, I think a custom built in vanity would make the most sense.

I was about to say to take off just the pink tiles (because they're less!), but then I've seen the link suggested by Proboscidea and I like that idea!
But I wouldn't paint over the tiles, it looks always terrible!

I am one of those who likes the pink/green tile. I agree with others that say that your worst enemy right now (even if you don't like the tiles) is that vanity. Another suggestion, your glass enclosure looks to be in good shape, if you otherwise like it except for seeing the tiles, you could spend a couple of bucks and tart up the tiles a bit with these: http://www.2jane.com/mibo-6-inch-tile-tattoos-shanklin-white-on-clear

just to reiterate that Pergo would be a bad idea!

I like the pink and green though. I agree about replacing the vanity with a vintage free standing sink.

My bathroom is almost identical, down to the design inside the shower! We lucked out and have pink and gray instead of the green. The original tiled vanity is still there as well. Much to my vintage dismay, we're going to rip everything out. I would love to leave it if it were our "forever" house, but resale value will increase if we update! Like you, we don't have budget to do that right now, so we just bought complimentary accessories and are living with it until we have the money for the renovation!

Echo the posts about spending as little as possible right now as being a new home owner comes with lots of little expenses that add up quickly which I learned from recent personal experience. While I like the tile, you do have a lot of color/ material/ decades going on. If your going to spend any money, make it the sink and vanity, it's really killing any chance of embracing "a look".
I'd either embrace the tile and go totally retro with some fun 50's patterns and accessories. Or try to neutralize it by going hotel chic with white walls/towels/shower curtain and hits of chrome.
Anyway, congrats on the home!

It looks like we have the same color green tiles. I'm a renter, so I had to learn to embrace the green tiles, floor, sink, toilet & tub. For you, I'd figure out some solution to replace the pink if possible. If not, perhaps the color scheme (using red and black) I finally decided upon could work... the pink may even match well with the fabric I used. You can see it in my blog here:
http://creativeblossoming.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/diy-shower-curtain/

I would never, never, never replace tiles that appear to be in such pristine condition. I would never, never, never replace anything thinking someone else would like something different. Not much is going to hike up your resale value, unless it is horrible, which I don't consider this to be. If you've never had a bathroom renovation, you have no idea...

the glass is missing the etched swans! but had to clean those in a bath w/ same colour scheme & worst was Mold that grew in tracks. sell glass on-line, hang a shower curtain (1980's repair in tub? maybe not) you can change, go retro to replace the awful sink, faucets, mirror & you will be able to move @ room, too. losing storage is worth it; can hunt for a small steel storage cabinet next to sink. walls & linens would work in 1940's cream, or go miami w/1960's/80's turquoise.

Did you decide what to do with your bathroom? I think its beautiful...except for the sink...I agree with the pedestal sink with vintage hardware from home depot....

check out retrorenovation.com.

Oh, god, I didn't notice the pink tub at first-- gut reno! Sorry.

What I wouldn't give to have a bathroom like this! Or like it was before someone "updated" the vanity, medicine cabinet, and louvered door. I'd sure try a cream, pale pink, pale apricot, or some similar color, instead of the stark white on the walls. You have a treasure here!