I don't like the look of the plastic covers, especially on tile, stone or wood. On our backsplash I used resin covers that are meant to look like stone; they blend in better than the plastic ones do: I switched all of the other switchplates and outlet covers on the 1st and 2nd floors to ones with an ORB finish (except the ones in DS' bathroom are brushed stainless to match his fixtures.) I like this look much better than plastic. I gave all the plastic ones back to the electrician who worked on our reno and told him he could use that plastic stuff in someone else's house but not mine. (OK, I'll be honest, I said 'crap' not 'stuff'.) He laughed at me alittle but admitted he liked the replacements much better. When we repaint the (finished) basement, I'll replace those covers, too. Since I needed so many I bought them at Target - they're less expensive there. And I had to buy in stages because I would buy all the ones of a particular style that they had in stock at the time. I left all the outlets and switches themselves in the standard/original white. The only thing I couldn't replace was the iPod docking station. It only came in glaring white and stands out more than I'd like it to. I'll get over it...

Tinker, it's possible your house could have had toggle switches (the change began about 1940), but the push-buttons were the most popular until after the war. New electrical wiring methods meant that a simpler switch design was needed, and the industry chose the toggle rather than push-button--why is anyone's guess. Classic Accents was the first to start making new push-buttons in the 70s, and they look and sound just like the old ones--finding a source for old-style toggles is going to be hard--you will have to haunt yard sales and salvage/antique shops for them. Why are you only painting in shades of white/cream? Your house seems to have lots of light, and could easily handle more color. Personally, I love the look of antique brass switchplates, and they go with any color. By the way, replacing the wiring doesn't mean you have to replace the switches themselves...the plugs would be a good idea, but the switches you can reuse.

Better plan on a large box and large faceplate. For items with different voltages, the wall box must have partitions to keep things separated. Masonry boxes are probably not what is needed for your application, but this video explains the concept of partitions. Here is a link that might be useful: Box

Show me white switchplates with character, please.....(photos)