retro bathroom needs help

You are certainly challenged with this bathroom. I would suggest that the vivid colors be toned down by replacing the shower curtain and the window treatment with a neutral color fabric with no patterns.Same goes for the towels. I doubt that tiles and fixtures can be changed so you must work around this mess and dress it up as much as possible. Good luck on this one!

There was an episode on HGTV about staging a home that had a similar tile problem.  However, replacing the tile was not in the budget, so they bought some paint (I forgot what kind) and painted the tile.   You could not tell the difference.  It looked really good.  Just FYI

An affordable solution is to leave the tile alone and have the tub and sink re-glazed in white.  The toilet should be replaced with a white one.  Then add white towels, roman shade and shower curtain.

If possible, I agree with Michele about reglazing the tub/shower, but for the same money the homeowner can most like have a new pedestal sink installed. Home Depot special.

I would play up the black instead of ignoring it.  Black, green and gold can be stunning.  A rug in the middle is a must to detract from the floor.

It's unfortunate there isn't any wall space to hang pictures, unless someone is aware of a way to do it over tile.

JOyce

Wow, that is a challenge! I wouldn't know where to start, but I did see the HGTV episode and the paint they used looked fine (covering pink tiles). I'm going to check back to see what you come up with for a solution.

Virginia, I have used an epoxy paint on ceramics, tubs, sinks and tiles but it's tricky and with this application I think it would be a big challenge to do it so that it doesn't look tacky.  I would agree with having professional epoxy the tub, then replace the pedestal sink and toilet with white, as Joyce said. 

I actually like this bathroom. I love period stuff, and this bathroom looks like it is in mint conditon.

I'd play up the black, also. It is your only neutral option. Turquoise is in, gold is in, and black is a dressy neutral.

Black was my suggestion also.

My vote would be to reglaze the tub white, replace the toilet and pedestal which can be pretty inexpensive. I would probably just do white shower curtain and towels to keep it as clean and simple as possible. Good luck, can't wait to see what you do.

I'm guessing there is not a budget to redo the tile, toilet, sink and tub, or you would have recommended that. If that is the case:  I would play up the black and gold, as accents, but focus on the light color of the drywall and floor (white or biege?) for the towels, shower curtain, window covering.  Since it is a retro bath, the tiles on the floor are not a detractor, (if they are the small hexagonal tiles)  they are often coveted by those looking at a vintage property.  I would NOT put a rug on them! (Plus, throw rugs suck the light out of a room) Unless they have a budget to redo all of the fixtures, tub, sink and toilet, I would not change only 1 or 2.  That would be distracting to me.  Some FUN art deco artwork,(hung from a cord above the tile)  or simple ceramic accessories in one of the accent colors would finish it off nicely!  BEST of luck!

Please send the after photo's.  Would love to see what you decide to do.  I would also suggest a new toilet and sink in white and reglaze the tub.  Then use white shower curtain and towels playing up on the black for fun.  Perhaps 3 glossy black vases or balls on the windowsill, no curtains...........