SFGate

rinqreation Who will be using the bathroom and how long are you planning on staying in the house? Just asking, because my opinion would normally be do-whatever-you-like, but I also wonder why you're so 'against' earth-toned bathrooms. Bathrooms are meant to make you calm and clean and happy, if you'd ask me. I'd like to know your views on this.

iota earth-tones really set off all the wood in one of our baths....and allow the vivid colors of the accessories to sparkle. But can't imagine a purple floor with wood cabinets. One mistake some people make is thinking of wood tones as neutral, but all wood has a relationship to color, often tending to warm yellow or orange tones. Purple is on the opposite side of these colors on the color wheel, and it takes a very discriminating eye to end up with a pleasing result when these colors are both major players..

We chose to put vinyl flooring when redoing our master bath for 3 reasons: (1) as a senior citizen we wanted easy cleaning....and have cleaned enough grout in my life to know I never want to do it again (and don't believe the "never gets stained" sales pitches) (2) styles/tastes change....and even 5 years from now any tile I chose "for resale purposes" might look dated. Pulling out vinyl to install tile is a simple job - removing old tile is a major mess. (3) vinyl is softer and warmer than tile, and if textured a bit is pretty non-slip.

Cynthia White it's a master bath with very light use. staying in the house forever, and not interested in how it would appeal to future buyers. I'm against earth tones because A) it's what everyone has or wants and B) I think they're boring. I don't want the bathroom to look like something out of a hotel spa. I view it like granite. Everyone wants granite. I had a granite island 25 years ago when it was rare. I used it for dough and baking. Now everyone has granite. Don't get me wrong--I want the bathroom to look put together, just not like every house that's been redone by a designer.

Cynthia White iota, my spouse wants vinyl because it's so soft. I hate vinyl because I think it smacks cheap, no offense please. I currently have textured vinyl in my kitchen from the previous owner, and it's extremely slippery when wet. I've fallen twice on it when there was water on the floor. I lived with tile on my main floor for 25 years and loved it. I cleaned the grout once a year, and it looked new after 25 years when I sold the house. In any case, tile is out. I'm trying to talk him into linoleum or cork. But I would like something dramatic.

Keitha Cynthia, go for what you like! I used 12x12 linoleum tiles in a checkerboard pattern for a bath in our basement and love it. It's the focal point of the room! I'm including some color ideas for a patterned floor .

rinqreation Nowadays vinyl has come a long way from looking cheap. Do some research, you'll be amazed!
If you could find a dark indigo floor (with either planks or stonelook) it will look amazing with tons of wood and some white. Some grey and yellows with wood will give a country type of rustic. Bold floral wallpaper and bamboo will make it tropical. Black with purple, stone, wood and bronze will give a cave-like feel. I'm no designer but I would like to advise you to pick a path (theme) and follow it, adding whatever your imagination can come up with, but also letting go of things and adjusting as you go. Ordinary materials can take you where you want to go, just know how to combine them. Special materials mostly are either expensive or hard to clean, but picking a few (such as hardware/faucets) will add to the 'different' feel.
And if you're doing it (walking the path others don't easily choose), do it well.

Keitha @ringreation... Love the claw foot tub with purple accents!

sam0705 Have you searched houzz bathrooms for "purple rustic" - some very nice baths

Cynthia White Thanks so much folks. Will keep you posted! I love the dark purple floor, like this http://homedecortip.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2013-decor-trend-purple-bathroom.jpg