the autocad rendition above is taken from my preliminary drawings that I had made to give to the designer. I am not an expert. A long story, but the original designer was a guy my first builder recommended but turned out to be a costly mistake. He was in the middle of a divorce, strung out on anti-depressants, and did not complete the project. He also was not a CAD user. What a mistake. Needless to say, I deep-sixed this contractor and unfortunately learned an expensive lesson. I then started the project with another designer who finalized my plans similar to the last autocad design, but he used a different program, chief architect. I don't have that program, so I only posted changing the windows from my old autocad program. That is why the proportions and things don't look right. I do have a PDF file of the entire plans but I dont know how to convert them to either post, or email. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the insights. thanks again.

I, too, love, love painted black doors!! Due to the colors in our home, we ended up doing dark brown/black doors (Pratt & Lambert Obsidian). I love it, although I still wish I had black doors. One day, when we are repainting the house, I will choose colors that go with black! So, to your question. I would do all the same hardware, whether ORB or brushed nickel, etc. I also would do all doors the same color. I went through the same process - thinking only the first floor with brown doors but I was convinced by a colorist to treat all interior doors with the same color treatment so all the doors are brown. I don't regret it for a minute! I really love the look. Here are a few pics - all hardware is brass, as that is what was here. I love the color but I am not crazy about the style. One day we will change them out. French doors: My den:

robin posted: "We had levers everywhere when I lived in Europe. I was forever catching a sleeve in one as I walked by, or a jacket. Or catching them on my arm--but I am not really graceful. They look nice but I got tired of the bruises and stretched or torn sleeves". When I had a serious fall with lots of injuries and had to get around the house, the levers were easier to use, but like robin mentioned, I kept catching myself on the hooks I would walk by! I cut off my belt loops after I got grabbed when walking by one door in particular! I even caught part of my sling and cast on one, and OUCH! I know one would say well, don't walk near a door, but, when on meds one tends to walk near walls and guide yourself around. Once my case came off, the lever again was easier to use with my sore hand. So, there are two conflicting reasons why I will rethink putting them in my next house.

Inset describes the door type. According to the attached article door style refers to the type of panel, they refer to 4 basic types including recessed which can be called Shaker among other things. What may impact the price is the method of construction - how the frame is joined and the material in the recessed panel and how it is finished. My understanding is that you want the recessed panel to be finished before assembly (at least partially) so if there is movement in the frame what gets exposed will be finished. I am under the impression that it is better if the recessed panel is either MDF for a painted finish or veneer over plywood\MDF for a stained finish (this will also provide a more uniform appearance on the panel) as this will usually mean the door will contract or expand less in its' frame than if the centre panel is made of solid wood. If doing a painted finish you could go to a solid MDF door which can be routered out to look like a recessed panel but be one solid piece that is not subject to the natural movement of wood (MDF is more dimensionally stable than solid wood). My Mom went with a thermofoil finish over a solid MDF door - one of the characteristics of an MDF solid door is rounded interior corners - the routered groove in this particular company's product helps visually disguise it but if you look closely you can see the corners are all rounded. Here is a link that might be useful: door style breakdown