I have nothing substantive to add (as usual), except that I'm having the same sort of question: vintage 1940s red stove with a shiny chrome top, DH wants stainless fridge and DW rather than paneled, and I saw some antique brass sash-type drawer pulls that I really liked. I'm thinking that with chrome and stainless, antique brass hardware and lighting might be a bit much, but I sure like the warm, slightly battered, vintage look.

I agree with keeping the cabinets in a wood tone vs white. Although this kitchen in all white would be sharp. I'd wait to replace the appliances (all stainless would be my choice over white even if you paint the cabinets white) as I think with a new island and new flooring they will become non issues. I would use a lighter countertop on the new island to create drama. While you may like the mirrored look tile, you may benefit from using a glass tile(not ceramic) instead of mirror. Number 1 you can leave the backsplash and 2 you can introduce color with even solid colored glass tile. You didn't mention if you have under cabinet lighting?? With under cabinet lighting and glass tile you'd be introducing both bling and brightness. Add a nice vintage looking hanging light over your new island and something similar over the sink that is similar looking but smaller in scale. Hard to see what you have for pulls and knobs but they look like they are white porcelain. There are lots of beautiful pulls and knobs that might add brightness to your cabinets also. Another idea would be to only paint the cabinets by the frig and the island white. Not a really stark white but something that would compliment the wood in the cabinets. If you chose this option - I'd replace all the appliances to stainless. Could you install a drawer microwave in the island? It would really break up the look of ALL those cabinets if you put the microwave into island and put in a nice hood. You could remove the cabinet above the present microwave or leave it ( I'd remove it.) Behind the stove you could then install a design tile to create focal interest. Congrats on your new place.

I'm doing brass pendants with chrome knobs and pulls. I love the current gold trend with the white kitchens and how it warms it up, but I know in my hearts of hearts I've always been a silver person so I'm putting the trend in something that will be easier to swap out in the future. If you love the brass hardware definitely go for it, but maybe get it all in a standard size so you can swap it out years from now if you tire of it and haven't moved.

The great part is, you can mix and match this kind of stuff! Metals and such...not necessarily mixing in the same room, but from room to room, and from hardware to lighting fixtures :)