Marimekko towls and a bathroom solution?

When JD and I first moved into our apartment, we embraced its unique charm. However, we could not embrace this:

Because it felt so much like this:

The light blue porcelain tiles and sink, the stark white walls, and chrome fixtures felt too much like an old man's used cadillac.


So we tried to brighten it up with a shower curtain from IKEA. Didn't work. I don't think anything really goes well with powder blue in this quantity. So now I have a new idea. Rather than add a competing color, I'm thinking of adding grey. My inspiration are these pretty Marimekko towels from Crate and Barrel.


If I get rid of the ducks, go with a grey bathmat, clear or white shower curtain, and add the towels, then maybe the bathroom will feel more sophisticated and calm, rather than old? I'm also thinking it would be cool to add some black and white framed photos to take up some of the blank wall space.

Bear in mind that we rent, so we can't alter the space too much. What do you think?