I'd like to add that in addition to the OP's question, I'd love some advice about mixing finishes, such as stainless steel and ORB or copper and whatever.
P.S, gharborwa, I just learned from the GardenWebbers that ORB (oil rubbed bronze) may rub off eventually, depending on the manufacturer of the faucet, doorknob, or cabinet pull.

I have ORB handles on my patio door and the finish has rubbed off on the side we use the most. Hopefully the picture I'm posting will show this.

Here is a link that might be useful:

For me choosing hardware metal type is more about the colors... Chrome is a cool silver and nickel and much warmer (more yellow), ORB is well, brown and stainless is more cool darker grey.

The polished ones will sparkle and show some prints, satins and brushed are much for forgiving to water spots and fingerprints, but don't reflect much.

That's all i've got, I'm sure more will chime in.

I do think you can mix, but with some thought to the usage and base colors (warm or cool).
I will be mixing nickel with polished and brushed versions in a few paces.
I think i will also use an ORB handle on my pantry door to bring in a touch of brown, i need it in a few strategic places. :D

If my cabinets are more a whitish yellow, what metal type should I use? Thanks.

I know this sounds like the obvious advice, but nothing beats getting a sample or two and holding them up to your doors. Although there are some general trends like darker ORB finished with an Arts and Crafts kitchen and polished nickel with a more formal or traditional style, there are no rules. Hardware finished are truly a matter of personal aesthetic preference: you can't go wrong as long as you like the look. Do you notice patterns in the finishes you like in your inspiration kitchen photos?

Here's a fairly technical primer that explains what we're mostly dealing with when we buy hardware.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardware Finishes

I have polished chrome in 2 of my bathrooms and I find it very easy to clean.
I have 2 Graff faucets in my kitchen in an olive bronze finish and I am VERY disappointed in the quality of the finish. I paid a lot for them and the finish seems very soft.
I do have a Delta faucet in another bathroom in a orb finish. It was installed 4=5 years ago and I am still very happy with it.

To answer your question about Basic creamy paint color-I would do nickel polished or brushed. Or ORB if you like more contrast.

But like Francios said samples in your home will probably quickly tell you what you like.
Tell us what you choose!!

I think we are drawn to a look and that dictates what will work. Does a certain style of lighting work better for you? In our case, we love how chrome sparkles and have all white light fixtures with chrome (many differing styles, sizes and shapes). They look nice whether in a room with dark colors or light.
Since not everything can be chrome, we have stainless for our micro shelf, wall oven and vent hood. The 2 metals look fine near each other. If you use brass, and had to mix some finish in, something black or orb would work, but I am not a fan of the silver finishes with brass. That is a very 90s look with 2 tone fixtures and it rarely worked, IMHO. I am sure there are exceptions, but I am talking in general. With black finishes you can go in any direction but you'd want to limit the secondary finish to one tone (chrome, nickel or brass).
Our chrome handles are one of my fave parts of our reno (along with our chrome chandelier). I think they look cheerful and not fancy. We put them with white cabs but I'd do them with wood as well. We plan on swapping out the antique brass hardware on our bedroom set for chrome. It will freshen up the look.
Determine the feel you are going for and your instinct will then pull you one way or another. If you find a particular light fixture or doorknob, that may help define what the rest will be.

Thanks for all the responses. Besides choosing what I love, I'm trying to find out if one is better than another in the long run...will one shows signs of wear faster than another, stain worse, not clean up well, etc.

Chrome is a classic for being durable. Think of all the old chrome faucets still in use after years of wear and cleaning.

I just put in brushed nickel in two bathrooms and like it there but on one of these posts someone said that finish is plated. For my final bath I am considering stainless and I have vintage stainless pulls in my kitchen which have held up very well. I have read that chrome is a hard look to maintain. I would consider stainless for the kitchen. Also I wouldn't want a dark finish because I wouldn't want to hide dirt.

"brushed nickel in ... on one of these posts someone said that finish is plated"

I've mentioned "plated".

Almost all / options / colors / finishes / are plated.

Underneath the plating is something solid.
e.g.
solid brass (hardware like handles) or
a brass tube (the faucet body) or
a strong plastic (the faucet's handspray).

I used to find it confusing to read "all brass" and "chrome" in the same description.
Not any more.
Chrome is plated and always has been.
For some people, it's considered such basic simple knowledge that it doesn't need to be stated.
For some reason, it was not part of my general education and upbringing.
So, I went digging for information and found that there was almost always a plated finish (on faucets and on hardware): chrome. brushed nickel, whatever other finish...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrome_plating
"Types
Decorative
Decorative chrome is designed to be aesthetically pleasing and durable. Thicknesses range from 0.002 to 0.020 mil (0.00005 - 0.0005 mm), however they are usually between 0.005 and 0.010 mil (0.00013 and 0.00025 mm). The chromium plating is usually applied over bright nickel plating. Typical base materials include steel, aluminum, plastic, copper alloys, and zinc alloys.[2]"

Most of the other finishes are by PVD method.
Even stainless can be applied by PVD.

The exception to this "finish plated onto something" is stainless hardware in general and stainless steel faucets that are stainless throughout (which are rare, and European).

"Stainless" is a recipe with many ingredients; depending on the recipe it can end up looking any of an infinite number of shades: more nickel, more chrome, more silver, more white or more gray.

Chrome also has color variations.
It can be applied thin or thick.
It can be applied on top of a layer of bright nickel plating. This changes the look.

Look at chrome from a very high end manufacturer, and you will see beautiful color.

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I notice that the manufacturers of hardware and faucets almost never describe their chrome.

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some faucet manufacturers will lifetime warranty only chrome and one or two other finishes.
sometimes they exempt the whole faucet from their lifetime warranty even though it's only the finish that has changed. (!).

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the OP gharborwa wrote "... satin whatever..." and i think it's a good description of the satin dilemma . There is no definition. Manufacturers can call anything satin if they want to.

Check out our blog for info on finishes and mixing finishes. I don't do chrome for a variety of reasons, but I do think it is the best for faucets and drains. I see no reason not to mix it with polished nickel or any other hardware in a kitchen or bath; but that is a matter of personal preference.

For the record, the best brass finishes-(oil rubbed, polished, antique, etc) are done by some combination of dipping, rubbing, or buffing pieces of solid brass. Solid brass means not steel with brass plating, solid brass can be hollow. Most new cabinet hardware should be solid brass and "not hollow" but there are some very traditional pieces of cabinet and furniture hardware that are, and should be, hollow for authenticity and detail.

Plated or painted antique and oil rubbed finishes generally leave a lot to be desired. Our brass finishes are living finishes.

The best silver finishes-nickel and chrome (satin, polished,etc), are plated on solid brass.

Stainless should be solid. There are a near infinite number of stainless steel varieties, not all are even rust proof. I would assume that anyone selling sinks and faucets uses stainless that is good enough to be non corrosive.

Here is a link that might be useful: mixed metals blog posts

I am trying to decide between Chrome or Satin/Brushed Nickel for my faucets and towel holders. Which finish is more durable? Which finish is easier to clean and won't scratch?

Thank you!