We have ORB levers/hinges throughout our new home on white doors, also primarily white cabinets with ORB. However, in the master bath we used dark cabinets with brushed nickel. I never even thought about the idea of switching the hardware on the doors in the MBa to brushed nickel. I wanted the continuity of having all the doors alike, plus the ORB does match the dark cabinets in the MBa. I think the lack of continuity with the door levers would have bugged me. It's not something that sticks out like a sore thumb to have it the same ORB--in fact, I think it looks good. The MBa door is often open into the MBR, which has ORB on that door. We have a walk-in closet (with door) off the MBa as well as the door into the toilet stall--all ORB levers. Of course you should do what you like, but IMHO, stick with ORB.

Clady do you really think ORB is going to look dated in the future? The reason I ask is because I think it looks old and that's what drew me to ORB in the first place - b/c to me it looks like something you'd see in a old house - something timeless...but maybe you are right and it's just a trend? My house has black hinges, ORB door handles, my kitchen cabinets have ORB pulls, and all of our lighting/ceiling fans are either black or ORB...so all the finishes are dark throughout my home...In my kitchen I have a SS sink and facuet and SS appliances and I think it looks fine mixed with all the dark... My master bath has silver finishes on the faucets, tub, shower - but everything else (doors, lights and accessories like TP, towel bar etc.) will have the dark finish. If it looks okay in the kitchen I think it will be okay in the bathroom. We haven't started our master bath yet - but I think once it's done it will be fine to have both finishes. Same scenario as you Clady - don't have the experience to change the plumbing and I don't think it's worth the expense.

We all have different opinions, I'm sure, but I think it depends on what look you're going for - in other words, if you're trying more for that "unfitted" or furniture-style look, then you keep the uppers and lowers in certain areas matching and create more of a zone for each color. However, you could also get creative and mix the finishes upper and lower - it really depends on what feel/look you want. My strong suggestion would be to take the elevations of your kitchen (or whatever drawings you have of the cabinet layouts) and photocopy them a bunch of times, then using colored pencils actually color in the cabs a few different ways to see what resonates best with you. I don't believe that there are rules you need to follow - you just need to end up with the kitchen as you imagine it! Make your own mock-ups, be creative and have fun!

A quick search on Houzz will show lots of pictures with mixed finishes. The first two below have ORB light fixtures and chrome/brushed nickel plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware. The last picture has chrome plumbing fixtures and ORB light fixtures and cabinet hardware. IMO all these combinations look good. I am typically a "matchy/matchy" person but wanted chrome plumbing fixtures in my house and prefer ORB light fixtures to chrome light fixtures for some reason. So I have spent hours looking at pictures with mixed finishes and reading design blogs/home building forums and have come to the conclusion that there are no "rules" on this and it is really a matter of personal taste.