First of all, I don't think there is "a" right. I think you already have both elements in your space. You have a stainless range, so the satin nickel would blend in. You have "dark iron" sconces, so the ORB/black is there also. What color is the dark iron: black, dark grey, bronze/brown? What I am personally doing is satin nickel faucet/soap dispenser and bronze cabinet pulls (on brown stained cabinets). I think that would look nice in your space. You didn't say whether you had already picked your faucet finish or what color your sink is, but that would make a difference, too. Going all satin nickel or all ORB would look good also. I don't think that satin nickel looks "shiny/modern" at all. I do think that chrome or polished nickel wouldn't look as good in your space. Are you far enough along to post a picture?

I can identify with the feeling of being on "overload" with making so many decisions. I just made a spontaneous decision on my cabinet hardware, mainly because I was tired and just felt the more styles and options I looked at the harder it would be. I agree with astridh that you really can't go wrong with either satin nickel or ORB since you have both those elements in your kitchen.

I decided on an ORB pull but it has nice copper toned highlights in a scroll pattern which makes it contrast with my dark cherry cabinets. It certainly was inexpensive, yet seems solid and easy on the hand. Since it was so cheap I decided to go with it and if I come across something I just have to have a few years from now it won't be hard to swap it out. Just making the decision, saving a few $ and going on to the next step is a good feeling :)

There's a really beautiful kitchen on the last few pages of the Summer 2008 edition of Beautiful Kitchens(Better Homes and Gardens Special Publications) that sounds a little like yours. The hardware looks like it might be pewter and it works very well. So my vote would be for pewter, or satin nickel, which looks a lot like it. I would love to see photos of your space. In your situation, I would probably buy a few possibilities and see which one I liked the best...return the others!

My cabinets are a dark stain....sort of a gun-stock color. They are almost the exact same color as some antique oak furniture I have. They look very traditional....almost too traditional. My daughter though they looked too "old fashioned". I got some samples of drawer pulls and played around with them until I found one that was perfect. I ended up going with a brushed stainless, an elgant curve that is wider on the ends and tapered in the middle area. They are very graceful and contemporary at the same time.

Here is a link that might be useful: the handles I chose

Buy a couple of handles in each color and stick them on a prominant cabinet. Look at them for a few days and you'll know which you prefer.

Thank you for everyone's ideas. I pulled the trigger and got Ashley Norton handles/pulls and knobs from same line. Dark bronze, a bit oversized.

I guess I'm "going for it" = the whole rustic thing

Will post pix when I figure out how to do it.