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How did you get permission to paint the cabinets?

I would definitely replace the mirror and paint the room some kind of pastel color.

1- color match the soft grey tile
2- change ALL the hardware (including the t.p. holder) to something more traditional. (that tile is more deco with grey and burgandy, so I would play that up)
3- get a floor mat with the same tones as the tile
4- find a really nice tray and put out perfumes, a nice candle and hand towel.
5- basically play up the whole grey,burgandy, soft creamy white and let the wood be the wood. Just let it happen and color match everything else so it looks cohesive...

I would do white cabinets and soft light grey walls. Can you do something with the floors like white? If you paint everything you still have the floor issue.

A light, warm, golden sunny yellow (like Benjamin Moore's sunnyside up) would look nice with the grey (and the burgundy, which is hardly even there. I wouldn't paint the cabinetry, though. I like the retro wood and chrome thing, but I'm kooky like that. I like that grey and burgundy tile a lot, and based on the photo, I'd never want to remove it.

Accessories -- rug, artwork, etc. -- could make the room warm and cottage-y without having to rip everything out. The gray seems dominant now only because the room is so spare.

Vintage textiles are your friend here.

I'd choose light grey walls and dark grey for the cabinets - then use simple white towels, mats and curtains.

Don't paint the cabinets. It takes a lot of work to do it right, and besides, they're cool retro. Paint, and get new knobs instead.

-- I would choose a soft gray for the walls with a blue undertone. Soft, light gray can actually be very "colorful" when done right.
-- Swap out the mirror.
-- Colorful artwork over the toilet, with a black frame and white mat.
-- A long runner down the floor in a medium-dark purple, to hide the floor. Matching towels.
-- White shower curtain.
-- Swap out the cabinet hardware with something playful and colorful, like what Anthropologie sells.

Only then, after doing all these other things, would I consider painting the cabinets. I'd paint the cabinets white.

Like spotonmeg, I'd paint it a nice, warm yellow. I don't know what the colour she mentioned looks like, but I'd choose something like Behr's quiet veranda. I'd probably leave the cabinets as is, at least for awhile to see if they look better with your other changes. If you do paint them, I'd probably choose a grey to go in with your tile. I'd also add artwork above the toilet with a bit of burgundy in it, maybe even a little grey if you end up leaving the cabinets be. Definately a patterned shower curtain if you can find something that'd tie tie the colours together, but white always works, too.

I also agree with kjansson about the tray o' stuff. A few pretty bottles and things could go a long way.

Lastly, despite what everyone's been saying, I'd keep the mirror. I'm not totally sure based on the tiny corner I can see, but it looks like it might suit the feel you mentioned. At least, I wouldn't go looking for a new mirror and just replace it if something jumped out at me.

Good luck, and I hope you let us know what you decide! :)

I agree with bepsf--dark grey cabinets with cool new hardware (matte silver) and paint the walls a light to medium grey tone (darker than the tiles but lighter than the cabinets) This will look VERY updated cool and modern since the grays are all in the same family.

The floors need something, if you can't replace (too costly) then just a couple throw rugs, solid white and white towels.

If you have a shower curtain then something with a dark bold motif (maybe in purple or burgundy) Accessories and picture frames can be in the black, white, silver, and purple tones.

I think it may be possible to very carefully paint those burgundy tiles- I believe I saw something on HGTV once where they taped and papered around some tiles on a kitchen backsplash and used some kind of specialty spray paint. If you were able to change that color- maybe to a pale green or black or white- your job would be so much easier! Then you could just paint the walls and let art and accessories do the rest. I don't mind the wood cabinets, even the hardware looks okay, at least it's silver!

I have no idea what your budget is, nor does anyone else here so I'm just listing things I might do.

-Since you are allowed to paint and those cabinets are hideous paint them a nice crisp white.
-Change out the hardware for something simple - I'd probably leave the toilet paper holder thing alone.
-Frame out the mirror since it doesn't seem broken, so there's not a reason to replace.
-Grey shower curtain with a burgundy bathmat to play up on the color of the tiles.
-If you do a solid color shower curtain you could get away with going with a roman shade in the same color for the window to unify it.
-Paint the walls either grey or burgundy, depending on how daring you are.
-Find some non-expensive accessories to compliment the colors - don't go expensive since they may or may not work in the next place you live.
-Maybe a couple open shelfs over the toilet (with ridges in front so stuff doesn't just fall off) to store some pretty jars of bathroom stuff (ex: qtips).

Similar to jbess101's comment, the burgundy accent is what really bothers me. Assuming the burgundy tile only shows up on the sink backsplash, if you weren't inclined to try to paint that out , I'd try cutting a length of wood molding to size and using lo-temp hot glue to affix it over the burgundy trim tile. That way you can easily remove the molding when it's time to go. (The lo-temp glue will peel off the slick surface of the tile, and a single edge razor will help remove any remainder from grout lines).

Paint or stain the molding the color of the cabinet, and you can eliminate the need to work the ugly burgundy into your design plans.

I wouldn't paint the cabinets, but I also wouldn't keep them the same. I would stain them a dark cherry wood color, which will help the burgundy look less out of place. Frame the mirror with a chunky dark wood frame, update the knobs and the light fixture (whatever it is, a quick change can do a world of difference), and add a warm neutral to the walls. I really like this space as an example:
http://www.lindseyrunyondesign.com/Images/160%20Lee%20St/06_Bathroom.JPG

Then put a nice big picture above the toilet tying in all the shades you just added, and a rich, warm shower curtain (maroon?) and you'll be set! I love updating bathrooms :)

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