Of course I meant will it look nice with the more traditional look I'm going for or will the hardware create a more modern look :) Most of the kitchens that I have seen in the galleries that have light maple and polished nickel or chrome hardware look more modern to me overall not necessarily because of the hardware. I would like to use cup pulls for the drawers and then maybe something more ornamental for the doors. I think the lighting decision will be the trickiest of all for me, I'm so indecisive!

That is actually similar to what I'm planning: bronze lighting fixtures and brushed satin cab hardware. I've seen quite a few similar kitchens w/ this arrangement. If you haven't already, you can view tons of kitchens of other Garden Web Kitchen forum members at the Finished Kitchen Blog. Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchens Blog (FKB)

Is there a reason to buy the hardware before cabinets and counters are installed... then you can buy a sample of orb and nickel (... or, and chrome) hardware you like, and hold them up to your cabinets in your kitchen to select the finish you like best with your other choices? we spent a week or two at the very end of our remodel opening the drawers and doors from the edges (without handles/knobs/hardware), while we ordered samples, picked our final hardware from the samples, then waited for the whole kitchen hardware order to be delivered. It was not a big deal to use the kitchen with bare doors for that time...

Thank you millworkman. My floor is grey tone engineering hardwood, modern European style, countertops are white with grey veins, backsplash is warm grey glasses subway. I would say my house is more contemporary/transitional style. My first thought is Satin nickel seems more modern, but second thought might want to add some contrast .......