Thank you all for taking time to post and for your reassurance that the metal finishes can be successfully mixed. Although in those beautiful kitchens, I really think anything would look good! Mine is definitely more 'humble'.... (Shanghaimom - your kitchen is my dream.... I had seen it on another thread and bookmarked it. I just didn't focus on the fact that the pulls were burnished brass - on my monitor, they looked like brushed nickel.) So - let's assume that I do use antique gold-toned hardware in the kitchen. Since we will be painting woodwork and replacing cabinet hardware throughout the house (both bathrooms, hall linen closets, laundry cupboards) does it all need to match the finish of the kitchen hardware? Or could I use a different finish in the bathrooms ie satin nickel or oil-rubbed bronze? We were not planning to replace all of the interior doorknobs (50+ year old brass) when the woodwork is painted - in case that impacts your answers. Thanks again for walking me through this....

That is the normal orientation for a handle/knob set with a full mortise entry lock. The thumb lever pushes up on a mechanism in the bottom of the lock, but the knob actuates another mechanism in the middle. Cylinder sets use gearing to turn the up/down thumb lever motion into rotational movement, so it transmits via the knob-point input, making the handles at the same height as the knob. It's two different styles, the mortise locks are older style and work nicer. Casey

That's a great point (glossy = imperfections). I do have some modern/blingy elements in my space, as well, but you make a good point. Thanks!

I guess it depends on what folks hold in definition. A patina is an oxidation or chemical process on metals like brass and copper. It can over time become protective of the metal. If it goes verdigris, that can be bad for consuming. Objects can have a patina without being used, brass can develop a natural patina in a year or two of use. Depends a bit on the humidity levels in the house. It can take longer to develop a heavy or very dark patina. It is coating of the metal, not really the same as used and old. Used and old can be just used and old- scratches, finishes worn off, finishes not cleaned and allowed to darken while other areas see highlighting from touch. Patina can be worn off on a used and old finish too, like a brass doorplate gone dark while the knob stays bright since the patina is worn off all the time from use. But if you want used and old looking, or a faux patina... take the hardware off. Tumble it with some rough grit a bit. Then put them through an ammonia gas process for a while. Wax and polish after remounting to create the used/rubbed off worn areas of hardware of used and old looking. You could also try salt or acid corrosion to hasten a worn or used look, your mileage may vary depending on how you process. You could also use brass black to darken your brass to create false age. Out of curiousity, if you wanted faux aged/patina brass, why did you get raw brass?