I’ve decided to redecorate my bathroom, but I’m having trouble deciding on a scheme. Currently, my bathroom has white walls and baseboards, a warm-toned (oak, maybe?) wood cabinet under the sink, and a maroon floor. I also have a birch veneer cabinet and magazine rack that have to stay, because I need the storage.

Right now, I have this pretty, numbered print of a mermaid hanging on the wall, and she has purple in her tail. So I thought about painting the room a very pale lavender, with white baseboards. I would paint the sink cabinet white and install this purple shower curtain. I think this would be very pretty, but maybe a little unsophisticated, plus it would be a lot of work if I changed my mind.

So, my other idea is to paint the walls with a fresh coat of white paint and do the baseboards in glossy black. I would still paint the sink cabinet white, and install this black and white damask shower curtain. I would use mirrored accessories, such as these votive holders for makeup brushes and this wall-mounted vase for hair brushes. In this scenario, the mermaid print would be relocated to another room, and I would either hang a large mirror with a black frame, or have one of my husband’s black and white photographs printed at 16X20 and hang that.

I think the black and white would be very sophisticated, easy to change, and matches my current waste basket and bath mat. Although I would probably change the mat; I like this Harlequin one, but it is hella expensive for a bath mat. My only concern is how the black and white scheme would match the birch pieces? Would they look weird, or would the cabinet and magazine rack inject a little warmth and modernity into an otherwise stark and classic pattern?

Since this scheme calls to mind Old Hollywood (at least to me) I would also update the lighting. Maybe starlet dressing-room style bulbs around the mirror and this little chandelier on the ceiling?

Thoughts? Suggestions?