Raehelen, Good Luck with your "ORB-effect"! Modern-Masters has some very nice Metallics, & other faux-finish products. They have a SUPERIOR water-based "Dead-Flat-Varnish". On average, it retails for ~$50/gal. Sounds spendy, I know! But...to have a FLAT, Water-based, & LONG working-time product...it ain't cheap!! I think the "Baroque" dull-silver/gold look is SO cool! Wish I had crown-moldings to try it on!! More info. on the link... Faron Here is a link that might be useful: Modern Masters info.

Thanks, hometime! I am having some kind of a mental block with this door hardware decision- I'm now going to have to pay to expedite shipping since I put it off for so long. I have the shorter doors, but some higher ceilings so I think I can handle a taller backplate. I love the #8 rosette. Does anyone have that? I am trying to add character to the house with each fixture I change out, but I get cold feet with some of these choices! I love oil-rubbed bronze, but wonder if the flat black is more vintage feeling?

live wire oak- Like happyafwife, in our area, ORB hasn't faded. It is used more often than not in new construction in the most upscale neighborhoods. That is why we felt 'safe' using it. I love the look of stained woodwork, too. But my old woodwork wasn't stained - it was a medium brown painted/glazed finish from the mid-1960's. After ~45 years and three owners, it looked terrible and needed to have something done. To strip and stain it all would have been cost prohibitive. So we opted to paint everything (cabinets, doors, baseboards, etc)a soft white. It makes the house look so much lighter and larger - I can't believe that too many potential buyers will be turned off by it.

I personally think ORB in that kitchen is too much of a contrast so I would do nickel