Okay, I'm back! I ordered a sample order from an online site, which let me pick 3. I picked 3 different finishes, and 3 different styles to get several ideas. I am not a photoshop guru, so only put them on and took pictures... First, what I have in its decaying state: From kitchen cabinet hardware Next, I originally thought I'd do stainless/satin. And, here is a "knob" that I like in stainless. What do you think? From kitchen cabinet hardware From kitchen cabinet hardware Here is a pull that I like in "black iron". I like the color, but would probably also like it in stainless. It is a companion pull to the knob above so I can get either in either color. From kitchen cabinet hardware From kitchen cabinet hardware Here is one DH liked--it is heavier. This is black nickel (I think). I am not sure I am digging the shiny... It would also come in satin nickel. From kitchen cabinet hardware What do you think? Am I any closer? I think I like the stainless knobs, but not sure how it would look on my cabinets (in pulls) without replacing all my hinges... They are weathered also, so appear very dark. But, maybe the hinges wouldn't be that noticable? If I did the stainless pulls, it would probably be the first pull above (in "black iron") Also, we tried some ORB, and I liked them, but DH wasn't thrilled with them...some of them had some "pink" on them.

I don't actually have any firsthand experience with Emtek, but it appears to be good quality middle-range door hardware. I usually specify door hardware from Omnia, which makes very good architectural-quality hardware. I think it's probably a bit more more expensive than Emtek, but it's nowhere near the cost of stuff like Rocky Mountain Hardware, and some of the other brands that advertise heavily in the fancy design magazines. You can check out Omnia at their website: http://www.omniaindustries.com/ You can also compare prices on Emtek vs. Omnia at the website of Knobs and Things.com. They carry a wide range of both brands at competative prices (see the link below). One other bit of advise, if you're buying a whole house worth of door hardware, you might be better off letting your contractor place the order, unless you're willing to carefully think through every detail of every door. Door hardware is more complicated than most people think. You need to specify which hand, door thickness, offset, strike and type (privacy, passage, etc.). If the contractor makes a mistake, it's his problem. If you get it wrong, it's yours. I also recommend that you specify that all locks should be keyed the same. Then one key opens everything, so you don't have to find a different key for every door. James

misecretqry- Yes, we bought the home in the middle of the building project. While I asked for a list of all the tile & cabinetry that had been selected, I hadn't thought to ask about door hardware. (We were able to choose countertops, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. We currently live in another city 3 hours away and so didn't discover the issue until the doors were hung. Though the handles and plates aren't yet...

Possibly, maybe, maybe not. Just because they are the same parent company means nothing overall. Only way for you to find out in my opinion if to get a) either a sample chip of each color, or b) a piece of each hardware.