I was researching this a few days ago as well, and found some articles that said this is not considered wrong from a design standpoint. It sounded like it was more acceptable to mix finishes now, and some people prefer the not so matchy look anyway. I was curious because I have 3 rooms that flow together and I have brushed nickel in two rooms. In the 3rd room I wanted to put in a ORB light. I think it will work fine. I actually just replaced the windows with ORB double curtain rods (and these flow through two rooms). I also read that if you can add at least a couple pieces in that particular finish it will look even better.... so I felt having the curtain rods and the light would make it work, but I think even without, it's ok. Buy what you love, that is most important!

Hopefully what we are doing will help... We are getting a black granite (Diamond Black...like Black Galaxy only w/silver inclusions instead of copper & pink). But, our cabinets are cherry w/a mandarin stain & coffee glaze, so they're darker than yours. We had a similar debate in our house and we decided on brushed nickel faucets b/c we felt the ORB was too dark against the granite. As to other finishes...our pulls & knobs will be "Antique Iron" and the pendants brushed nickel. I was originally looking at black pulls & knobs but it was pointed out to me that the black is usually paint...and I do NOT want paint on my pulls/knobs (I had enough of paint w/our washed oak cabinets and the worn away paint!) I think you will be OK mixing finishes as long as you stick to two finishes (not counting appliance color). IMHO, too many finishes will look like everything was thrown together rather than planned. BUT...I lean toward being "matchy-matchy", so that may be my bias. HTH!

I, too, am having this problem. Our cabinets are on order, yeah, antique white with a glaze and medium color hickory cabinets on the island. Have looked at granite and are set on a cream/brown wavy one(can't think of the name). Plan on using cup pulls and knobs with a small detail around the edge. We are having quite a few drawers so lots of pulls. Our appliances are SS have a white not brite white farm house sink and a stainless faucet. I do agree that ORB would look great on the white cabinets. How about the hickory cabinets? What about light fixtures? Plan on having pendants over the island. Our dining room is connected. Tearing down the wall that seperates the 2 rooms-making the kitchen larger. I mention this because should the light fixture match the kitchens light fixtures, in style and in metal finish? The more I ponder this the more confused I get. Can't wait to work on ideas for a backsplash. ;-) Thanks for your help and input, norma

Yes, no one can look at both and take the time to be picky about it lol. You will be the ones who notice things more than anyone. And after the dust settles most of the time you wont even think about it anymore. Side note I dont think you need contrast on your cabinet pulls, a brushed brass would be really pretty with bronze..just a thought.