Uh Oh...Didn't mean to post twice, sorry...

I like black, especially hand forged wrought iron hardware. I truly didn't care what other people think are "in" and used what I like.

It depends on the ORB you are looking at.

Some ORB is very dark, almost black. Some is more of a warm dark tan. Keep in mind as well that if the ORB you're looking at does not have a PVD coating, the finish will wear off over time and you will have shiny brass showing through from underneath the finish. They call this a "living finish." If that is not something that you think you'd like, then stick with the black.

We are doing something similar in our kitchen: white cabs, Verde peacock granite, SS sink & faucet as well. We were originally going to do either black or ORB hardware, but finally decided on brushed nickel. It's a lot more cost effective, looks great, and you don't have to worry about the finish wearing off.

Also, I *think* that black hardware's finish can wear off over time as well, but don't quote me on that. Look into it. We looked at Colonial Bronze Hardware (and ultimately bought from them) b/c they have a lifetime warranty on the finish, as long as you don't clean it with abrasive cleaners/scrub it, etc. Their black and ORB hardware is gorgeous. Made in the USA too!

And since your granite doesn't really have any brown tones in it (right?), the ORB may not tie in as well as the black would. There is black in your Emerald Pearl I assume? Might tie in better than ORB. Both the ORB and the black will be heavy contrast against the white cabinets, which can be beautiful. The satin nickel we chose will kind of disappear, but we are ok with that.

Ultimately, it comes down to what YOU want and not what everyone else "is doing," so don't get hung up on that! You have to live with it and love it; that's most important. Think about what will tie in best with your granite.

What is your wall color btw?

I would do stainless/chrome/nickel. Classic and would still work with everything you have. Works with anything really.

I would do stainless/chrome/nickel. Classic and would still work with everything you have. Works with anything really.

Sorry. I don't know how that posted twice. It's not cuz I'm twice as emphatic about my opinion.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I've chosen the emerald pearl because I discovered all the other green granites had too much olive tone to go with my wall color which is a soft green. The emerald pearl just seems to work the best. I do love the look of stainless/chrome/nickel hardware but my breakfast nook and family room light fixtures have dark bronze/black finish and are visible from the kitchen. I do believe I will most likely go with black after reading these posts as I really like the way it looks with the granite.

Confession time, I've never had hardware in my kitchen before. Lived here 25 years now and redoing a 1986 kitchen. I heard someone say cabinet hardware is like jewelry for your kitchen. Maybe that's what's stressing me out!

I'd like the look of black or ORB more than a light shiny surface such as chrome or nickel with white cabinets. ORB seems to be used either for hardware that is all dark brown (like with a totally oil rubbed surface) or dark brown with brass highlights showing through (like oil rubbed with some wear). The latter sometimes is a living finish but not always.

We went with Schaub ORB which is a flat dark brown (and stays that way). We liked it for our kitchen because it picks up the tone of the dark part of the grain in our natural cherry cabinets and some brown dots in our granite.

I think either dark brown ORB or black would look right with white cabinets but black might go better with the Emerald Pearl granite.