Here is a piece of our new cabinets, the black granite counter sample and the backsplash. Which hardware COLOR do you think is best?? I am worried about oil rubbed bronze wearing off/ having a patina over time. So, was leaning black. We are redoing the room door levers too... should those be black? If it matters, the stair railing spindles are being redone and will be black. THanks for opinions!

Do black or brass. ORB is out and brass is back.

Some hardware companies offer a "Rustic Umber" color which matches the the ORB color or a PVDF ORB that also matches the ORB finish when new. But technically they will not be ORB but rather a deep bronze finish that will not change. I would go with black as I do not care for the faux ORB finishes myself.

I had read that oil rubbed has trended out.... so, is black a more "timeless" statement? With the colors we have, black doesn't create a "country" look, does is? We are going for "classy" / "up-scale" with the deep maple cabinets, glass backsplash, black granite and a new tiled floor. Thoughts?

Everything you've listed is off trend for several years. Like the late 90's. If you love it though, what does it matter? Now if you're putting your house up for sale, you might want the white cabinets, white counters and subway tile that's hit the mainstream as being hot. Or, if you want to be ahead of the curve in middle America, quarter sawn or rift sawn oak with brass and a subdued lighter quartz for the counter---you know, the updated version of what people are trying to get rid of now.

You'll be chasing your tail. Home furnishings have always been subject to fashion. It's just that the cycle has sped up in the information age.What's hot on the coasts no longer takes 20 years to reach the heartland in the age of Houzz though. People tire of trends much more quickly these days. So, you have to resign yourself as to picking something you love, or if for resale, don't make any changes until just before you sell so you can capture whatever is current at that time.

We are doing the changes for us... not for resale. We plan to stay here for around 10 years (as of right now). Well, I always say I'm not a "trendy" person.... but I guess this proves it! LOL. I am not a fan of white cabinets or light counters... or brass which I'm trying to get rid of. ;)
So, given the choices I have already made.... which do you think fits better.... black or the oil rubbed? Can we do room door levers in black also?? Is that more "timeless" than the rubbed bronze or not?? How about spindles on railings? Would black be out for that now too? We have oak spindles now... want to give it a fresh look... leaving the oak top and bottom and doing a new chunkier newel post in oak with black knuckle spindles. THoughts?
Thanks!

I vote for black. IMO, quality brass, chrome, black, along with SS & pewter, are timeless I've never seen a patina on ORB so maybe it varies between brand/quality?
The hardware used on kitchen cabinets does not dictate what is used in the rest of the house. If you love the ORB, use it in the kitchen, but I'd go with black on the other hardware, including the wrought-iron.

For more input, post on the Home Decor forum.

"Venetian" and "Oil Rubbed" are old art terms that describe the addition of polished highlights to aged (oxidized) statuary bronze that turns a rich red brown color because of it's 90% copper content. Brass normally contains about 70% copper.
Since copper is expensive and it takes a long time for bronze to darken naturally, modern manufacturers take some short cuts in the factory.

The cheapest simulated aged bronze finish is paint.
Next is the chemically accelerated oxidation of brass plating.
Next is the chemically accelerated oxidation of solid brass.
Next is the chemically accelerated oxidation of copper plating on solid brass (probably the best compromise of cost and quality).

Top of the line is the chemically accelerated oxidation of high copper content cast bronze.

It is very difficult to get reliable information from manufacturers about how they achieve an ORB or Venetian Bronze finish so be careful and be prepared for a finish that not only wears unpredictably but may be difficult to touch up or refinish.

Genuine ORB finishes will wear off or patina on the high spots when rubbed, there are "ORB" finishes that are more like a permanent brown coating. I did inexpensive ORB for a client that felt and looked like matte brown paint, to me.

I am not sure that ORB is going to go away, now. The first time I used it was about 17-18 years ago in a 170 year old house where the original brass was mostly blackened, and modern antique brass finishes were too golden tan looking in comparison. The door Knobs were fairly shiny because they got touched all the time.
Most of the stuff I did at that time was a custom order or custom plated. Some of it got pretty light at the high spots, but that is the nature of the true finish.

If you don't want that, I think I would go with black.
But I think ORB is here to stay for a while just because it actually has developed over more than a decade.

So if the OP likes the look of ORB but doesn't want a patina, according to Renovator8's info, a painted simulated finish is what he should go for.

When I used sandcast bronze ORB in our home, I would occasionally move doorknobs around to spread the patina look. Otherwise some buyer was bound to remark how "worn" and "old" the hardware was and should be replaced.

"I love the look of oil rubbed bronze, but I do NOT like the patina look that comes over time."

The "patina" is the dark brown color (real or simulated oxidized bronze) and this patina is unlikely to become darker with age if it was achieved with chemicals or paint.

Parts of the dark "patina" will wear off with frequent use and allow the bright base metal to show creating a "highlight".

Highlights are characteristic of Oil Rubbed Bronze finishes so if you don't like the highlights then you don't like Oil Rubbed Bronze.

I'm in a very similar situation. Remodeling a house. Put Satin nickel on bathrooms and ORB on light fixtures. Trim is light oak. Wanted ORB for door handles but could not find a 'non-living' ORB (that won't patina). So I'm going nuts trying to decide between Venetian Bronze, Matte Black and Satin Nickel for door handles. Was leaning towards the SN, but also want to renovate my stairs and love the wrought iron w/ basket look for the spindles and think maybe the matte black will match those better, then get dark ORB chandeliers to go with that. Is that a plan? Opinions? Now if I could just decide on the door handle style, the wavy or modern rectangular type?

Many companies now make a PVD Bronze, which is a factory finish more than a living finish yet looks similar.

A PVD coating is applied to chrome plating in various colors but it is difficult to imitate oil rubbed bronze. Here is an explanation.

To me this finish has always looked out of place on hardware and fixtures in a home. It is great as a finish for bronze sculpture where it originated. Where would high copper content bronze hardware or faucets have first been used? Perhaps exposed to the weather on ships, a door knocker near the ocean or an outside manual water pump.

ORB has actually held it's appeal and has not gone out. Ask any accomplished decorator, as french country always lends itself well to ORB. It's truly a matter of your style and as you know quality always wins However, if you're in to trends, then yes brass is back...but for those in established, high end homes, it's never "been out". Go for what you love and you will never be disappointed. Keeping up with "trends" will have you constantly in remodel mode versus living in your home that you've created and love.

I prefer the black with your cabinet color.

Me too!