On rereading this, thought of something kinda funny. You mention the brushed nickel door knobs. IMO, you can go with whatever bathroom faucet finish you like, even if it doesn't match the door knobs or the faucets in the kitchen. I'm definitely not a "the whole house has to match" guy. The funny part is that back in the 1950's, it apparently was important to match the door knobs, in a new house at least. In my tract development, all the homes have a sort of copper-tone finish on the door knobs and hinges, except on the bathroom and kitchen side of the doors, where they are chrome. The hinges were also chrome (they are on the bathroom and kitchen side for both doors), although I replaced them because they were pitted and rusty. I'm assuming the homes all had chrome faucets originally. And it's not like they took two knob sets and just split them, because the locking button is on both chrome ones. Strange, eh? I'm wondering if it's possible to order a split finish on lock sets these days? I'm in the process of replacing the doors in the house and they will all have the same finish on both sides. A little quirk that will be lost in my home, although not quite. The same thing was done with the two pocket doors going into the eat-in kitchen - the little finger grippy things on the door - kitchen side is chrome while other side is the copper tone. I replaced both doors but kept the same finger grips. This post was edited by DreamingoftheUP on Sun, Mar 23, 14 at 6:22

I have a big honkin' 12 light solid brass chandelier I bought for a fortune back in 97. It was a gift from my Dad. I think it is probably too big for the room and table, but it is traditional and very well made. I may buy a smaller non brass one, but this one will go into the attic. I also have the solid brass sconces my Parents gave us on our first wedding anniversary, some 30 years ago. They stay. Its an old house 1923 so all of the doorknobs are glass and real aged brass or metal of some kind.I wouldnt think of changing them.

I don't care for the second one at all. It's partly the color, which seems kind of light yellowish; it's partly (mostly) those shades. I like the first one (the one your husband doesn't like), and I like it precisely because it is chunky....mtnrdredux - how about if I say I like that it's "solid" or "substantial"? Will you like it then? ;) marti8a, that "part with the lightbulbs" that your husband considers dated....are you referring to those white plastic thingies? I've never liked them either, as they really do detract from the overall look. This discussion reminds me that we have an antique or antique-looking brass chandelier that we have not found a place for yet. We really should; it's quite lovely, and someone even made brass thingies for it to replace the white plastic ones.

Combining things can result either in a charming, lively, personal and beautiful house; or in a confusing, jumbled, schizoid mess. The challenge for someone like you, who is delighted by so many things, is either to inherit a hundred million dollars and go buy four or five houses, OR, if that's not likely, to put yourself through an exercise. Gather a whole bunch of pictures of the disparate things you love...ancient dairy buildings in Provence, hillside villas on Italian lakes, sleek penthouses in Manhattan, adobes in Santa Fe, Nantucket cottages by the sea...whatever attracts you. Then lay them all out all over your dining room table, pour yourself a stiff drink, and look for all the things those images have in common. After a while, you'll begin to notice how each of them makes you feel. If you love openess, airiness, and clean lines around you, but can't resist a great shell-encrusted rococo mirror, then you want modern architectural backgrounds with one or two big ornate statements. If, on the other hand, you love heavy classical or Victorian moldings and trims, and flowered prints or paisleys, and you also love sleek Italian furniture and glass tables, then you want a traditional envelope with cool modern art, wool sisal or graphic patterned rugs, white linen slipcovers on simple comfortable furniture, and very contemporary angular floor lamps. One of the most beautiful apartments I was ever in was a big, open, modern white box with huge windows and dark, polished floors with tribal rugs flung around everywhere. There was a big, long modern robin's egg blue linen sofa with Fortuny pillows, a pair of Eames rosewood lounge chairs, and a really enormous ornate French gold-leafed mirror on one wall. Across the room was a gallery of Italian landscape and Dutch still life paintings and a large Chippendale slant-top desk. Way way above my pay grade...but an example of how effective careful mixing can be.