Depends on the overall look you want -- both would look very nice, but you don't have to match your other finishes. Your counters might make a difference too. We have white cabs and wood floor and chose graphite hardware (from Amerock), which is a dark gray-brown and looks great with our wood countertops. If we had black countertops I might have gone with black pulls, but solid black didn't seem quite right with our wood counters (though black looks great in other people's white/wood kitchens, so go figure). We have chrome faucets and SS sinks. Here is a link that might be useful: Graphite hardware at Amerock

Jane, thank you for the input. I should have posed my question a bit clearer. I need help with metal for lighting, faucets, etc. I'm looking for suggestions for the entire (overall) look of the bathroom. At first I was going with polished nickel, but the faucet I want to use (Delta/trinsic) does not come in polished nickel. The light fixtures I Iike only come in polished nickel and not chrome. It's just so frustrating. I thought I could do mixed metals, but unsure of that too. I read a number of folks say don't mix polished nickel and chrome. I was thinking matte black, but nervous. My husband won't go for brass (after posing my above question), though I agree, it would be interesting. Thank you again, and if you have any other thoughts, I'd greatly appreciate them. The double vanity is 80" (white), there will be a free standing tub (white), with separate shower in white subway tiles, the quartz counter tops are a medium gray, dark slate floors, and lastly white walls. It's so hard for me to use my imagination and picture different metals in the space.

Rubber oil bronze is a bit more traditional (with hints of real metal coming through) while flat black is more contemporary. Either could look striking given the description of dark oak and black countrrtops it really becomes a preference. The key decision in my mind would be, what are the switches and light fixtures (in that particular room specifically) ? if your house has an open floorplan its also OK to do "zone" design meaning whats in the kitchen can have a contrasted finish from the livingroom. a side note if going with lots of dark both in fixtures and cabinets (and/or appliances and sink) be sure to bring in light for contrast, either with lots of daylight (windows), flooring, upholstery or in the adjacent space so the eye can flow or pop. Having multiple shades and texture of the same family can be beautiful but too mucb of a good thing can make it overwhelming. best of luck.

What did you end up doing? I'm debating the same thing now for our powder room. It already has a white pedestal sink. We are painting the bathroom a very light beige and replacing all the current chrome with either brushed nickel or black (vanity light, towel ring, TP holder and faucet) and I can't decide which.