I did a search on Knob Hill cabinet hardware, and saw some oil rubbed bronze finish cup pulls, which I think would work perfectly with your color scheme/age of your house. Tried to cut and paste a photo from their website, but was unable to do so. If you decide not to use the bronze pendants, the cup pulls come in lighter silver tones that should work beautifully. Good luck.

Somewhere on this site is a detailed discussion about why pulls are better than knobs...I can't recall all the why's, I just remember that they are.

Have you looked at the Rejuvenation website/catalog for hardware? That might give you a starting point for pieces with a nice authentic period feel (both ORB and satin nickel). Some people here don't like Rejuvenation material any more, so shop around.

It sounds like a gorgeous kitchen!

I'm putting in a second vote for Oil Rubbed Bronze cup pulls. Here's a website that has an amazing price on them (thanks to some Kitchen forum person I can't recall who provided the original referral to this site!).

Here is a link that might be useful: ORB cup pulls

It sounds as if we have the exact same kitchen. :-) I have an 1820-30ish cottage, and last year I renovated the whole place. In the kitchen I have dark wood floors, white shaker cabinets and white veined carrara marble countertops. Not a lot of natural light. I have stainless appliances and a stainless single-bowl undermount sink, and a stainless-look faucet. (Not sure what the exact finish is, it might be brushed nickel). I have an ORB ceiling fan and light fixtures in the room. I went with a historic color consultant/designer's suggestion to just keep it very simple and plain and classic, and I went with just a plain round flat knob in a brushed nickel, and I an very happy with them. I don't know how to post individual photos, but you can see an ablum of my house with kitchen photos at the below link if you're interested. Good luck with your decision!

Here is a link that might be useful: finished cottage renovation album

I'm with nolagirl. I think a simple brushed nickel would be lovely, knobs for the doors and pulls for the drawers.

However, I do like pewter with the carrara and white shaker cabinets as well. You'll know the look when you see it. It just may take agonizing over hundreds of knobs before you find it. Good luck and we will be awaiting beautiful photos!

Another vote for orb (I got great ones at Target believe it or not). Heavy great quality.

Personally, in a white kitchen I think ORB looks better with a dark counter top like soapstone. With carrara with dark veins I would vote for pewter or satin nickel. Have fun picking out "jewelry" for your new kitchen!

I'm going to buck the trend and suggest glass/crystal knobs. My girlfriend has them in her kitchen (white cabs, carrara, etc.) and it is absolutely beautiful. With a vintage house like yours it would be awesome. I have to admit tho... I'm a crystal chandelier gal so I love the look. Good luck.

Pewter has my vote. Top Knobs has beautiful and classy ones. Don't skimp- your hardware is your kitchen's jewelry!

Restoration Hardware--Aubrey or Ephram knobs in brushed or satin nickel

Here is a link that might be useful: Restoration Hardware knobs

I love the feel of antiqued pewter (which is what I have) and with marble...ohhh so pretty. I also will agree that the clear glass would work. I have a gorgeous dentist's cabinet and it's white with glass knobs and what are now ORB looking screws in them. They look great :)

My first thought, also, was that antiqued pewter would be elegant and understated, light but still with some warmth, and would coordinate well with the rest of your choices.

But if I walked into that kitchen with all of that marble...Would I notice the hardware? ;-D (Just teasing, not belittling your concern for the details. I just happen to be so jealous of white marble, it would blind me.) If you prefer the polished, it could look clean and sharp, and I don't think it would detract from anything. The whole scheme really sounds so gorgeous.

Thank you all for your very helpful suggestions! I have spent so much time fixating on the cabs & especially the counters that I completely underestimated the importance of the hardware. Everyone's feedback really saves me a lot of mind bending and obsessing. Keep any other ideas coming!

With the gray veins in the marble, I would use gray colored (polished nickel or chrome) hardware.

Stained wood knobs!! I love this look, it would look just right in your vintage home. Not the standard polished metal you always see in a white kitchen, so your kitchen would definitely stand out, and they are richer and warmer and glowy-er than matte black or oil-rubbed bronze. They have them at Van Dykes, I think.

Skitch around this website and see all the loverly stained knobs, and google "painted kitchen dresser" for more ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: English kitchens are full of stained knobs....

I'd like to see simple, round, flat, antique pewter knobs. Nolagirl, don't mean to hijack, but what is the "haint" blue paint brand and name on your shutters?

I would go for either pewter, polished nickel, or glass knobs and pulls. It sounds beautiful!

I second the nomination for glass knobs. A clear, faceted glass knob would be so elegant.

kitchendetective, I thought "haint" blue was the very pale blue that is often painted on Southern porch ceilings? Regardless, my bright royal blue shutters are Benjamin Moore Symphony Blue, and I love them! Thanks for asking. :-)

I second mustbnuts' RH knob suggestion - except that, with the white carrara marble, I like the polished nickle that the picture shows. It looks like mercury glass to me and I think it looks lovely with white cabinets/furniture and white marble.

I have simple white cabinets nd white marble counters. I went with a brushed silver finish. To be honest, I'm not sure if they are brushed stainless, brushed nickel or pewter. I just saw them and got them. They are ovals with a fluted detailing to them since I definitely didn't want a plain round knob. I've had too many plain round knobs. LOL The color is great with the white and the marble veins -- a softer contrast.

I do think glass could look great too. I once lived in a 1920-something cottage and could definitely see them in that house.