For a more classic scandinavian feel I would use brushed nickle finish for everything that needed hardware. I would avoid hardware on cabinets if possible. Keep everything straight lines and simple.

For a more rustic scandinavian farmhouse feel I would opt for black.

Thanks for the tip on the layout daisychain01! The chrome would be for the faucets....not for hardware. Polished nickel is a lot more expensive than the polished chrome for the faucet and I think the bit of bling on the faucet adds a nice bit of flair and feels more timeless than brushed faucets.

Thank you Jennifer Hogan! I appreciate your insights!

Be aware(as you probably already are) that some finishes are more costly than others, and look worse if in cheap range, and the choice is more limited until you're ready to pay a lot more. Some of them will also have different lead time, being "rarer" finish. Even polished nickel had surprisingly long lead time (talking about plumbing). Copper looked bad in my price range. ORB plumbing looked bad. ORB door hardware looked fine (and that's what I chose-but I suspect we have very different houses).

Black is hard..my friend's doing black(her place is more modern/art decoish) and within her budget it's hard to find decent black finish. I believe was doable in the end though. Just less choice.

I love to mix too, and mixed to my heart's content..well, restricted by all the above factors lol.

I must say I chose the rest of finishes before doors.

I'd decide whether I want things to be on the "cooler" side or "warmer"..for your house.

I like pewter and like antique brass..as long as you repeat colors in the space,not neccessarily finish, but the vibe, feeling you get from it, you can get away with quite a lot. I have 4 finishes just in my master bath-and nobody except me knows how daring I was)) That's because they all are vaguely repeated in the room, and one sees a room as a whole.

On the other hand, I treaded lightly in the kitchen because it's smaller(surprisingly so)), more open, etc. I still have there antique silver(or is it pewter?), stainless(which is not as nice but reads same color overall), and copper knives just to indulge my everlasting love for copper, and echo the tiles a bit. I don't see finishes as trendy or timeless-I just know what I love.

And what I can afford frm what I love. If I can't really afford a decent finish-too bad for me. I'll introduce it in some smallish thing-y then.

Some finishes are easy to get right. Stainless, chrome. Some like gold or ORB can look like I sprayed them myself with my two left hands.

I also prefer stainless to chrome..I do have chrome in a hall bath, there I have chrome and ORB. They look perfectly fine together. As long as finishes are different enough, and say not nickel plus chrome, or, say, rose gold plus yellow brass chances are you'll be fine.

Our house is relatively small too.

So. I'd start with how I envision the whole place..what will translate the overall mood I wish for best. You already know you don't like shiny..then look at the costs, quality of finishes you like..then narrow down to what you love best for the house.

And I'd start with lighting..it's harder. And longer story. And while you're choosing it-it'll inform you a lot about how you envision your place. Lighting doesn't have to match too -I'm talking about character you're about to create, the overall thing.

And I know it's not easy to imagine it all while there's nothing there yet to lean upon-we also had a gut remodel..similar photos)) down to studs and all. That's why I suggest to start with things that are harder to choose, as you're less limited in them.

What the shape is going to be, of the hardware? I always prefer slightly rounder lines..if you envision straight and streamlined it can also give you hints about your preffered finish.

aprilneverends, you're so right that cost and finish go hand-in-hand with differing results. As you noted....some finishes definitely look cheap and don't wear well at all...unless they're the higher end brands. Having so many irons in the fire and so many wishes on my list, I need to strike a balance and prioritize which items get the big bucks. I have another thread going regarding replacing my windows...trying to decide between wood and vinyl - again cost a big factor! You're also wise to remind me to decide on those things with a more limited supply and/or that have a definite look I love. My friend gave me that advice when furnishing my daily home when juggling different elements and looking at rugs. Hmmmmmm important things to consider.

For my kitchen faucet I've chosen Delta Cassidy (but not ordered yet) I liked the polished nickel, as it's a little warmer than the chrome or stainless, but it was originally quite a bit more expensive (although I just looked again and now it's just a little more expensive...but the $100 here and there sure do add up!) In Delta, the arctic stainless looks more blue than the chrome...which is how I landed on chrome. For bathrooms was leaning the same way...chrome or polished nickel for a little bling. The ORB feels like a trend that's fading in faucets, although it looks very cool in some magazine pics.

I like the black and white feel, but worry in my small space black hardware on cabinets and/or doors and such might be too much contrast....or it could be super cool ...aaahhhh - LOL

I found a cool light fixture on my local "buy sell trade" online swap site. I bought it because it was unique and had the "farmhouse" feel, although I'm not sure of size and scale. The black and whitewashed wood also feels a bit Scandinavian. I'm thinking either over table or perhaps at top of stairs in the hallway....or...if it doesn't fit, I'll sell it.

I've been looking through magazines and books to see what resonates and what brings me lightness and joy. Earlier this fall I did some research in stores, I think I need to plan another field trip to scout what makes my heart sing. :-D

This is the kitchen cabinet scheme I've chosen (in the showroom). I will not have that sliding barn door feature and I have not yet selected any cabinet hardware. I also do not plan on having open shelving, as I don't want washing dishes and dusting open shelving to be the first thing I have to do on each "get away" trip.

I have not yet chosen my counter top. Was considering wood before I even saw this, but now am thinking light granite or other stone like surface. If you have suggestions I'd welcome them! :-D

Don't do faucets in ORB..not because they can't be beautiful. They can, it's just that normal looking faucets in ORB cost just under thousand or something. I checked all that jazz. Very attentively..hence polished nickel))

Plumbing was a...I don't know..in order to cut costs we went for putting together that huge complicated puzzle-a thing from here, a thing from there-and frankly now I'd pay more in money than going through that again. And we didn't even get to anything remotely high-end, or rare finish. Seemingly simple things.

Okay...I think-from reading your post- you like things being on the warmer side..you do like contrast but maybe not very sharp..I remember Delta Cassidy(was considering it)-I think you favor a bit less streamlined, or maybe a mix of both (totally possible..I love mcm and mix it with other stuff, in lighting, and in furniture)

That light you show has a very cool finish. They either don't make it like that nowadays-or ask premium. But in door hardware they manage to do more or less decent job(unlike with lights and faucets)..and the feeling still will be of black and white, just a tad warmer feel.

Do you have doors already? Cabinet door, or interior? I'd order several handles or knobs..and I'd try them..I mean, just to look at them up close, get the feel..while you still have time ahead and have time to think and all

Off-topic: Spend on windows..if I could do wood I'd do wood..we have termites here though, so..

We have couple old windows left, they're wood, and I love them the best out the whole house.

Old owners did that termite thing when we bought..as per inspection results..

And we did it too -preventively-after we finished remodel. New lumber and all..

So here is definitely more upkeep..everything wood..

But good windows, they really do elevate the place

Of course vinyl can be pretty too..again the more up in price you go.

Our GC threw several vinyl windows into the deal (we had cost plus type of contract, but he thew some stuff in so to say)-and they look like my life after the remodel lol

On the other hand a door we chose ourselves-it looks nice

(it was more expensive. The more I look at windows we got with the deal-the more I think it was much more expensive))

they also made mistakes when measuring. so required totally readjusting the frame. so we payed additional grand for that. Because the mistake wasn't of our GC-but his guys spent a whole day readjusting it)

Chrome in a kitchen can be nice but, in my experience, it can be very cold. I had a stainless faucet that I switched out for chrome and the chrome really doesn't work as well with the other finishes - feels too cold and bright. It might work in your space. Just don't commit until you've seen it in your space - especially if you go for brushed brass hardware.

We have a 110 year old home and I was dead set against vinyl windows, but we couldn't afford wood. We compromised and did wood on the two big windows on the front of the house and then vinyl everywhere else. I thought the vinyl would be horrible, but I really don't mind at all. And I love how much better the new windows are at keeping us warm.

For the countertop..I like granite with white cabinetes in two cases, mostly-either granite is absolute black, or it has a lot of white in it (and there are granites like that)

what do you say about Soapstone? has his minuses, has its pluses of course..but it's very warm feeling stone..very appropriate to what you want to create.,.or recreate..or such my feeling is..

oh following vintage elements idea which I love..you can get vintage hardware for cabinetry. especially as it's not a big kitchen...will be good finish...and won't be costly..if you look on Etsy for example,,

(almost all my lighting is vintage too..but I won't lie was a PITA as some needed tweaking

and electricians didn't appreciate it even though tweaking was completely on us. They still were irritated

I did save thousands though that way, and got lights I love

Has some perils..as if something breaks-you can be out of luck. I already have one pendant glued together..and can't find another like that no more.

If you're ready for risk though..that's a cool though long and winding road to take)

Thanks aprilneverends, Oliviag/bring back Sophie, Flo Mangan, daisychain01, and Jennifer Hogan. I greatly appreciate everyone's insights! I like the idea of black, however I worry if I am too heavy handed with too much black in the small space, the contrast will be too strong. In my home in Illniois, where I live all the time, I have touches of black in each room, such as: art, a cabinet, a lamp, a clock, etc. I feel it's grounding and offers a nice pop with other colors and finishes. I currently have a chair at the upholstery shop that is going to the Michigan house. It's a wood frame chair and I plan to have it painted a worn black or dark charcoal. The fabric for the back and seat cushions is a buffalo check with creme, soft grays and beige tones.

I also fell in love with a painting of a white/creme cow with shades of gray, brown and green on a black background this summer. She's waiting patiently to move to Michigan. Perhaps I should post her picture as inspiration for all of you too. :-) I love her contrast, her eyelashes, her whiskers, her quiet strength with her feminine flower crown...she just makes me happy! In my Illinois kitchen I have a colorful rooster with a wide black painted mat. I bought him the same way...he just made me happy and he's found a home in every kitchen since I got him.

When I see pics of black door knobs and black kitchen hardware I do really like it, but will it be too much contrast in my small spaces? Would it be better to perhaps do black lighting or other pops of black and do a worn or brushed metal on door knobs and such? Or..be brave and go black. Go big or go home! :-D

I also like worn brass. I have brass plates and crystal door knobs in my little 1940's white stucco cottage in Illinois. I'm definitely a vintage girl! That comes from both mom and grandma. From the time I was just a little girl I was with mom & gram scouring antique shops (or junk shops as they called them) flea markets, estate sales and garage sales. Thanks for indulging me my chatter and big thanks for your assistance!!!

Over the next couple of days I plan on visiting several stores in my area on recognizance missions to see what colors, finishes and designs make my heart sing. I'll be looking at hardware, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures and tile. I welcome your insights!

Here's my cow....I need to name her....maybe I'll call her Matilda or Tilly. :-D

Flo Mangan I have saved primarily white kitchens in my ideabooks. Good scouting! :-D

I feel like warm white is timeless and I can change colors over time with art, paint, fabric etc. While it feels "safe", it also feels fresh and open and flexible over time.

The mint green you propose is pretty. Gram's kitchen used to have wallpaper with lots of blues and greens. :-) Her living room/dining room used to be a shade of green/blue too...more green then turquoise but in that color family. Her bathroom had this fiberboard type product that was turquoise with threads of gold and her bedroom was pink! I'll be shifting toward more restful neutrals for my retreat in the woods. In Illinois, I moved two years ago to from the city to my new/old home in the suburbs. With that move I shifted my color scheme from earth tones: reds, greens, tans with pops of blue, to now using more blues, greens, creme and grays. In one room I have some orange & gray and my bedroom is primarily soft earth colors. An Audubon Blue Heron is over my fireplace. Lest you think I'm afraid of color, about 5 years ago I bought an awesome vintage buffet that a woman had painted turquoise. :-D She was in my dining room in my old house and is now in my living room. She's a reminder of the power of a fun surprise in decor and to follow your heart. I loved her right away and a friend tried to talk me out of her because she was such a color commitment. I've never regretted bringing her home. So..... for Michigan .....

I'm leaning toward brushed nickel or black for doorknobs and hinges. It's surprising how few photographs there are of doors both in decorating books and online. I love the crystal doorknobs and brass plates in my Illinois home. They were part of the charm I feel in love with as I was shopping homes. In my city apartment I had awesome original brass doorknobs and back plates. I wonder....do I search for those online or in a salvage shop for this house? I wouldn't care that they all wouldn't match...but...would they be an installation nightmare?

For the kitchen, I'm considering brushed nickel and/or black for cabinet hardware too, but really bounce back and forth a lot around different finishes. I also like your suggestion of a worn vintage brass, as shown in the photos you posted.

Lots to consider......

My kitchen is almost a galley --- with all cabinets/stove/sink on one wall, plus the lowers around the corner under the peninsula counter between the kitchen and eating area --- with the fridge and two small closet/pantry doors on the opposite long wall. Due to smaller space and from reviewing my saved pictures in Ideabooks & mags, I am now leaning toward a brushed or polished nickel for the cabinet hardware....or maybe a vintage brass...something softer.

I feel like in that small space I want the hardware to be a complimentary jewel - a bit of bling, but not a hard statement. I think the pops of black on the creamy white will feel harder than I want for that small space, that opens into the dining area, that then opens into the living area. I'll do my pops of black in other ways.

So now to doorknobs & hinges....black or brushed metal?

look at them. at those you're considering

some things i rejected not out of principle-but because in our range they were just ..not pretty. in this or that finish

natural narrowing of choices happens...

while with other hardware I recommend vintage, I don't know about doors..I mean doorknobs seem more easy...hinges seem harder. And it sounds like it's enough doors. So it's more likely you'll be looking at new. And you'll see it and you'll most likely will know