You sound just like me (2 years ago). My whole house is ORB. Master bathroom lights and plumbing fixtures are brushed nickel. DH didn't like the idea of ORB on the outside of the bathroom door and brushed nickel on the inside. So I have mixed metals in my bathroom. I asked here and in the decorating forum plus had seen tv shows with mixed metals. Most everyone thought it was fine to mix them. In my bathroom: door, closets and (dark stained) vanity have orb. Light fixtures and plumbing fixtures and tp ring, train rack are brushed nickel. I'm good with it :) Monica

Ha! Good question. And it doesn't look likely. Rats. I did see that Emtek knob, and I think the French Antique is too yellow. I think tomorrow we will go to a salvage store. I just looked at some of their inventory online, and they have some nice, simple glass knobs. Maybe that would look nice? Or maybe I could find a copper backplate. If not, I guess we will just go with the ORB. I don't suppose it would look *bad*. I should also stop obsessing about this and remember how much better the room will look with a matching door, regardless of the knob. Ahhh. Thanks!

What a nice idea! I love old doorknobs. Since you may not get around to re-doing your downstairs doorknobs right away, why not take your time and see if you can come up with some more antique ones for the upstairs? You can find reasonably priced antique doorknobs (as well as reproductions) on eBay and Craigslist, in architectural salvage stores, antique stores, and even yardsales (if you're in an area with a lot of older homes that are being "upgraded" or demolished). On CL, check the Free category for old doors that are being given away as well as the Materials [i.e. Building Materials] category. In eastern Massachusetts where I live, I've seen old doors with hardware go for about $20 apiece. You may even find some solid wood doors that wouldn't have to be retrofitted. (Just be aware that if antique doors are painted, at least some of the layers are likely to be lead paint.) Also, don't worry about finding door knobs that exactly match. My old house has several different styles of doorknobs, including one set that is pale lavender. (Unfortunately, I didn't notice this until I had already painted that bedroom green.) You'd want to have the rosettes or door plates be similar, of course. P.S. If you do decide to buy new, search online for antique hardware -- there are lots of sites that are less expensive that RH.

Thanks aprilneverends, Oliviag/bring back Sophie, Flo Mangan, daisychain01, and Jennifer Hogan. I greatly appreciate everyone's insights! I like the idea of black, however I worry if I am too heavy handed with too much black in the small space, the contrast will be too strong. In my home in Illniois, where I live all the time, I have touches of black in each room, such as: art, a cabinet, a lamp, a clock, etc. I feel it's grounding and offers a nice pop with other colors and finishes. I currently have a chair at the upholstery shop that is going to the Michigan house. It's a wood frame chair and I plan to have it painted a worn black or dark charcoal. The fabric for the back and seat cushions is a buffalo check with creme, soft grays and beige tones. I also fell in love with a painting of a white/creme cow with shades of gray, brown and green on a black background this summer. She's waiting patiently to move to Michigan. Perhaps I should post her picture as inspiration for all of you too. :-) I love her contrast, her eyelashes, her whiskers, her quiet strength with her feminine flower crown...she just makes me happy! In my Illinois kitchen I have a colorful rooster with a wide black painted mat. I bought him the same way...he just made me happy and he's found a home in every kitchen since I got him. When I see pics of black door knobs and black kitchen hardware I do really like it, but will it be too much contrast in my small spaces? Would it be better to perhaps do black lighting or other pops of black and do a worn or brushed metal on door knobs and such? Or..be brave and go black. Go big or go home! :-D I also like worn brass. I have brass plates and crystal door knobs in my little 1940's white stucco cottage in Illinois. I'm definitely a vintage girl! That comes from both mom and grandma. From the time I was just a little girl I was with mom & gram scouring antique shops (or junk shops as they called them) flea markets, estate sales and garage sales. Thanks for indulging me my chatter and big thanks for your assistance!!! Over the next couple of days I plan on visiting several stores in my area on recognizance missions to see what colors, finishes and designs make my heart sing. I'll be looking at hardware, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures and tile. I welcome your insights! Here's my cow....I need to name her....maybe I'll call her Matilda or Tilly. :-D