Well, my house is 1913 and we chose the Kohler Revival with side spray in brushed nickel, but it does have two lever handles. And I'm not sure if Kohler is a "trade up" from Moen/Delta. We've had it 3 years+ and have not had any problems with it at all. It does have a traditional look that I love.

I decided on the Delta Pilar...... stylewise it seems neutral enough to fit many decors.

Besides several Kohler lines, the Delta Victorian and Danze Opulence lines are kind of traditional but not outrageously expensive. There are some designer lines (Hamat, Whitehaus, Newport Brass) with very traditional faucets but they are pricier.

I chose the Delta Leland. Single side handle, pulldown, ceramic disc, good reviews. And available in low lead for those of u lucky enough to be in CA where the law changed in Jan and NO ONE seemed to stock more than 5-8 faucets that met the new law when I was looking.

The Delta site also has a lot of pics in different finishes/kitchen backgrounds for ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: delta leland

I have decided this is a great business model: traditional/transitional faucets in a mid-range price. They seem to go from $200 to $1000 with little in between.

Glad to hear those of you with nicer Delta's still like yours. My sales guy, who I like and trust, keeps trying to steer me away from Delta/Moen/Am Standard/Kohler.... Grohe seems to be the only brand that is mid-range and I find their styles too contemporary.

Unfortunately, I have fallen in love with a $1100 faucet and sprayer. Don't think that is in the budget! Will check out Danze-- any sense on their reliability?

Here is a link that might be useful: Waterstone Hampton Faucet

Take a look at Newport Brass 941---it's a very traditional design with a sprayer. I found one on Ebay for less than $400. It's very heavy (the faucet alone weighs nearly 10 lbs.) and I love using it. Right now there's one on ebay for $669 (or best offer), but if you keep checking, you are likely to find one at a lower price.

Just wanted to point out that the Kohler Revival (which I've always loved, although it won't work for my kitchen--too many holes when you add a filter faucet and a soap dispenser) is available with a couple of different handle styles.

I have an 1860's victorian and had the same dilemma. With strong recommendation ended up with the Rohl Country side lever pull-out. I felt it had enough softness to not look too modern yet wasn't old-fashioned looking (is that the definition of transitional??) Shopped around and I think it ended up costing in the low $800's - got the Satin Nickel - but hopefully it will last a VERY long time...

Here is a link that might be useful: Rohl Country

Pull out or pull down?

Your kitchen sounds like a similar style as mine. I have both a pull out and pull down faucet.

Main/cleanup sink, Kohler Vinnata, pull down:

Prep sink, Kohler Fairfax, pull out:

They're both a lot less than $1100!

At FaucetDirect:
* Vinnata: $350 to $507, depending on finish
* Fairfax: $180 - $300, depending on finish

I don't know why your sales person is steering you away from Kohler and similar, I've had no problems with mine. I also have 14-year old Kohler faucets in my upstairs bathrooms and have had no problems yet...no leaking, etc. I'm sure they were the lower line b/c they're what our builder put in! Perhaps your sales guy has a Grohe and likes it so much that he recommends it or had a bad experience with Delta or Kohler and does not recommend them (not a bad thing, personal experience can be good, but is always an "isolated incident" good or bad) or maybe they have a bigger profit margin on the Grohe/less on Kohler, Delta, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: pull-down vs. pull-out faucet

Our plumbing salesperson told us that Delta and Kohler both have basic lines that are inexpensive, but not that great, and models with nicer finishes and better construction - his initial recommendation was to look for something with a ceramic disc when looking at Delta, Kohler, etc. to get the better quality, and longer durability. Maybe people with poor experiences with these brands had the non-ceramic types?

I agree with jrueter. I have heard before that brands such as Moen, Kohler and Delta have some cheaper products for their "big box" stores. I recently posted in another thread that my DH is a plumber and he swears by Delta. Although, all of the Delta products he buys comes from a plumbing supply house (except for my faucet I picked out from faucetdirect...LOL).

Anyway, I definitely wouldn't be scared to buy any of those brands. And fwiw, I have the Delta Leland and love it!

And I will agree with jrueter and kristine2009- I have Delta and love it. I replaced my kitchen faucet with the Delta Saxony which I feel like I get a commission from recommending it so much but really its a good one and might even satisfy your style requirements.
The faucets we are replacing all happen to be low grade builders models from when we built the house 20 years ago and I think only one was replaced due to a leak (and we have 4 bathrooms, kitchen sink, laundry sink you get the idea)- all the others are still functioning fine - just time to update.
I would most definitely buy Delta again and I hear comparable things about Moen which is what the bathroom contractor seems to prefer.

Here is a link that might be useful: delta saxony

After several faucet fails over the years in both the bathroom and kitchen, I took advice from the John Bridge forum. They said what jreuter did--there are cheaper brands made for the big box stores. I purchased my faucets (Moen & Kohler) from a plumbing supply store and haven't had a bit of problem since.

We are also going with the Leland, but here are some others I've seen recommended here that haven't been mentioned in this thread (don't know the price range of these but it must be within my budget or I wouldn't have noted them):

I think these are all pull-down
Kohler Simplice
Hansgrohe Allegro
Price Pfister Hanover
Delta Allora
Moen Aberdeen, Arbor, Woodmere
Franke Orient Express
Whitehaus Metrohaus

Have you checked out this one yet?
Delta Brizo Stratford Classic

Our house is also 1912. We went with a moen, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. We've had it for 4 years without a problem. As I recall, it was around the $500 mark. Here is a pic. If you're interested, I'm sure I could find the name.

If I may expand your topic a bit, cookingkaren...

Where did everyone get your faucets from? I got my sink from HomePerfect.com and am happy with the service and speedy delivery, but they don't have the Leland in the brushed look, only chrome.

Budge, that is the Moen Aberdeen and the same faucet we have, LOVE IT. Very easy and comfortable to use and I think it has a great look!

I don't want to confuse the issue, and this won't be helpful because they are expensive, but I noticed that you linked the Waterstone Hampton faucet. We have a Waterstone Annapolis faucet/sprayer/filtered water/airgap (required here), and we love it. It was the sprayer that I loved the look of (same as the Hampton).

I also just bought the Talo from Brizo line....love it too. SO beautiful