Hi Alicate.

Q: Yet, isn't the ORB a more modern finish and therefore [shouldn't] the silver look the best?

A:Well, it depends on what you mean by "modern". If what you really mean is trendy then yes, oil-rubbed bronze is sort of modern, but if by "modern" you mean the NEWEST finish, then, no, it's not trendy at all, since ORB is a finish that was first made popular about a century ago, when people were decorating with Mission & Craftsman style furniture in fumed oak. At any rate, ORB is only truly trendy if something that's been around for a decade or more--which, by now, it has--can still qualify as a trend.

The really hot trend, however--at least hereabouts--is shiny brass, the same stuff that some people sent to a landfill fifteen years ago because somebody with a warehouse full of new brushed nickel doorknobs to sell told them them that their old brass hardware brass was "dated." My, how time flies!

At any rate, if you were talking about doorknobs now, I'd definitely say go with the gold-tone, because as the dark finish coating on ORB wears off, what's left resembles--you got it!--brass anyway. Now, lamps & curtain hardware don't get as much use as do doorknobs, so their finish won't wear off as fast, but I'd still get the gold, and not the silver when it's time to buy new.

Here's my real advice, though: get what looks good, not what's--according to somebody with something to sell--"trendy". Or "Modern". Pay no attention to popular buzzwords.

I don't understand, you are asking about picture frames that are somehow attached to curtains? Cuz if they aren't actually attached, there is no reason to cooridinate picture frames with curtain rods....

But to the actual question, when considering fixed items in a room, gold flows better with ORB fixtures because both are warm in tone. Silver is a cold tone so it does not flow as well.

But as to picture frames really it's not a consideration without going nuts on the matchy matchy thing....I have silver, gold, brown,burgundy, etc frames all next to each other and they look lovely.

Magnaverde;

OMG, I can't beieve you said polished brass was on it's way back. Of course it shouldn't surprise me because as with everything else, it always comes back around to be in 'vogue', once more.

Not to throw a wrench into things, but I happen to like the way black looks with ORB. As far as I'm concerned, black frames are classic and never go out of style. If you use silver or gold (brass), I'd stick to brushed or matte finishes.