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Finish for knobs in white/soapstone kitchen?

13 years ago

(Re-posting this because I mis-stated my options in the headline for the earlier post.) We've just installed Green Mountain PA soapstone counters and Adel White Ikea cabinets in our kitchen. We left the traditional brick-red 6x6 quarry tile floor; backsplash is white 3x6 subway tile; walls are white (although we may repaint with BM Lancaster Whitewash in due course); appliances are stainless; faucet is chrome. The materials are lovely individually, but the overall effect is rather matte. I'm liking polished nickel knobs and cup pulls because they add some sparkle. But our contractor advises using brushed satin instead to match the stainless appliances. Another potential issue: will the polished nickel (shiny option) work well, or not, with the chrome of the faucet (also shiny) since the two materials have different undertones. Would be grateful for advice and especially photos of either polished nickel (shiny) or satin nickel (brushed stainless look) in a setting similar to ours.

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Comments (4)

plllog
13 years ago
I agree that the polished will give some sparkle. Why should your hardware match your appliances? That's what you do to calm down a busy room. You said you want to brighten up a reserved room. Different problem, different solution. If the knobs and pulls aren't within eight inches of the faucet I doubt you'll ever know about the undertones. My faucet and airgap are different colors (of brushed stainless--one ash gray and one yellowish) and it's not noticeable.
rookie_2010
13 years ago
Hi,
It sounds like you're not even considering this but I think that black or oil-rubbed bronze hardware would look great by the way you describe your kitchen. You could still add the sparkle by going with a satin/brushed nickel light fixture maybe?
I always think that the dark hardware creates such a contrast with white cabs that it gives the whole room some pizazz AND brightens up the cabinets, thanks again to the contrast. I also think it would really fit the "personality" of your floors.
I just wanted to throw the idea out there. With that said, I went with satin nickel myself but have often wondered if I should have gotten black hardware instead.....
There are SO many other white kitchens here that have polished or satin nickel with stainless appliances and I've never thought the polished didn't match the appliances. Also, I agree with P111og, you probably won't notice the undertones. Here's a pic of mine, with satin nickel hardware and the stainless island faucet. I just found out that it's stainless and not satin nickel. This isn't the best pic of the hardware but I'm throwing in a link to more. Hope it helps to give you a visual!
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Finished white kitchen
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margcooks
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Rookie 2010, what is your island countertop? I am doing a kitchen and am using honed marble for my countertops, and mahogany for my island top, but I'm having marble sticker shock! The ones I love--Calacutta Gold and Imperial Danby are both realllly expensive, so I'm looking for a less expensive alternative. Thanks.
rookie_2010
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The island top is honed calacatta. I got a pretty decent price on it though. Less than the Danby I priced. Have you considered a carrara?

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