We have a totally traditional house and have levers and they don't look modern at all. Funny story though. When DS was in college he came home one day and was trudging down the hall, as boys that age are apt to do, and caught the strap of his back pack on the lever handle of the linen closet. Because he was moving rather quickly, before he knew what was happening, it spun him around and slammed his face into the wall. When he called to tell me he was going to the eye doctor to replace the glasses that were just broken, he couldn't stop lauging. He's 35 now and we still laugh about it. That being said, I've caught the strap of my purse on DM's door knobs many times, so I think there are pros and cons for each. I did read somewhere that levers were better for the elderly and handicapped. Good luck!

I have flair style ones. I bought them backwards, so they are all facing UP instead of down. I heard down was how they are supposed to go. There's a way to tell if you need a RH or LH one... stand within the door frame with your back to the hinge-side of the jamb, with the door open. If the door is open on your left, you have a left-handed door. If the door is open on your right, it is a right-handed door. Now if I'd of read that first.... but the guy told me the levers were okay no matter what (he lied apparently because it was an Ebay purchase). So now I have "up" facing levers unless I want to get all new ones. So far, nobody's noticed though? Does it really matter in the scheme of life? I'm letting this one slide! Oh and I have kwikset locks; you can push up or down on them. It doesn't matter. You will not need to think about it. You're brain will just do what is natural. An they are as comfortable as knobs. As for the person whose ripping pockets, I don't think anyone's had that problem here except for the robes on the back of the door. They will get caught on the levers. But the part about opening the doors easily with filled hands is true and the entire reason to get these types of knobs (other than aesthetics). This post was edited by dahoov2 on Tue, Dec 9, 14 at 1:40

Hi PPS7, when I built a year ago, I decided to go w/ORB because I wanted an *older* look/feel to the home~*I* feel it accomplishes what I wanted. Yes, I did all my door hardware, door stops, as well as bathroom fixtures in the same finish. My light fixtures are mostly black w/ the exception of chandeliers. IMO, it's a personal choice. I like continuity in a home, that's why I chose to do everything in an ORB. If i were in your shoes, I would use the ORB as the black looks much to flat to me~light fixtures don't have to match in either case. Hope i've helped. ;o)

Let's put this in perspective. Armed with a good electric screwdriver, I can change 70+ hinges in under two hours without help, by leaving the door in place and changing those hinges one at a time. Even with a normal screw driver, I suspect you could do it in less than 4 hours, but I always go for the lazy easy way myself. I'm not trying to set speed records, that's just about how long it takes. It bothered me enough at my sister's house, the I bought hinges, and replaced them everywhere but the front door in the time it took her to go to the gym and the grocery store. The front door (probably close to 80lbs) had a different shaped hinge so I had to use a trim router to fix that purchasing mistake or I would have been done before she returned.