There are undoubtedly minor finish variations in polished nickel between manufacturers, but they aren't worth losing sleep over. I just completed a bathroom and got plumbing and light fixtures finished in brushed nickel from four different manufacturers. I suppose if I put them all in one spot and scrutinized them that I could find small variations, but they all look about the same to me. And, if I had noticed a difference, I would have forgotten to look for it after a month.

Danze is known for its high style and reasonable price. When asked about this or any other brand I always reply that you get what you pay for i.e. you can many times get a great looking Danze fixture for 50% of the cost of a high end fixture like Grohe. I also believe you have to look at how long will you be using this fixture or staying in this home? If not forever why spend the money on Grohe when if all things failed including Danze's guarantee you could still go out and buy another one and probably not spend as much as you would for some others. With that said I have a Grohe Bridgeford pull down(replaced the worst Kohler ever made) and love it and always kiddingly tell people I drive a Mercedes (a very old one) and so I like German things so I bought the Grohe. As far as other brands at reasonable costs I feel that quality and guarnatee wise Moen is hard to beat. They have since 1985 had a lifetime guarnatee and I read at least once per week where they have replaced an entire faucet for someone that was so old parts couldnt be gotten for it. Thats hard to beat. For a good price comparison on several brands, someone else mentioned National Builders Supply, and in interest of fairness Ive made no secret that I know the owners personally(really nice folks) and they own another online site called "danze factory outlet" I think. If nothing else the NBS website will give you the chance to look at most every brand from Danze to Grohe and everything in between whether you buy anything from them or not. I hope this helps.

I have a Kindred stainless steel sink as well as stainless appliances and I went with brushed nickel. It looks perfect. The brushed chrome had more of a bluish brighter tinge to it (even though it was brushed) than I wanted which is why I went with the brushed nickel instead. I can't comment on the vibrant stainless as I didn't look at shiny finishes at all. I hope that helps a bit though.

Have you looked at a Kohler Brushed Nickel soap dispenser? When you refer to the InSinkerator, are you talking about an Garbage Disposal or Instant Hot Water faucet? I have Kohler Vibrant Brushed Nickel Vinnata (K-690) & Fairfax faucets and Kohler Vibrant Brushed Nickel soap dispensers. My Kohler Disposal Flange is Brushed Stainless and Kohler DuoStrainers are Vibrant Stainless. My InSinkerator airswitch is Satin Nickel (looks just like the Kohler Vibrant Brushed Nickel). OK....I just looked up your faucet and, according to the Kohler site, it only comes in Polished Chrome & Vibrant Stainless, not Vibrant Brushed Nickel. The "matching" soap dispenser, the "Soap/lotion dispenser with Contemporary design" (K-1995), also comes in those finishes (among others). InSinkerator Hot/Cold dispensers appear to come in Chrome, Brushed Chrome, and Polished Nickel (among others). If you stay w/the Simplice, I think I would go with the Polished Chrome faucet & soap dispenser and Chrome Hot/Cold dispenser. Does this help?