Get what you want. The builder should have asked.

Ummm, if he didn't ask, why should you have to pay?

On the other hand pick your battles. But this sounds like a big one. We had little mix ups and I let them go. The tile in the guest shower was supposed to be diagonal, they forgot I wanted a hand held shower in my son's bath but they didn't do the right plumbing, etc.

But then there was a big one. Our granite/marble throughout the house was fabricated with rounded orners and I wanted square. I triedto live with it but it really bothered me so I made them refabricate the kitchen and master baths. I'm glad I had picked my battles.

If the builder didnÂt ask, the onus is on him, not you, to pay for changes.

If you really want ORB, then you should have them changed. For me, on regular interior doors I would not be looking for the hardware to pop, but to blend in. With lots of doors often in close proximity, such as down hallways to bedrooms, etc. I wouldnÂt want the door handles and hinges to be the focal point.

But again, you should decide whether you can live with it as it is, or you will always regret not making the change. Do keep in mind that over time the ORB finish does tend to wear off to the brass underneath, and doors that get more use may wear more than others.

I think you should get what you want and love because that's the point of building, right?

I agree with les917 on blending versus standing out. It's personal taste, but I would rather have my decor, colors, furniture...whatever my focal point(s) pop rather than the hardware. That's my personal taste, though.

My brain takes this topic on the same lines as the decorative electric outlet plates. Not the first thing I want eyes to go to.

Don't get me wrong, there is a place and purpose for ORB and making things stand out, and if that's your intent, you should do what you love.

Gayle

In addition to what the others have said, he may have done you a favor as I've read that the ORB finish can eventually wear off, especially when you clean it with specific cleaners.

I too say go with what you want, but try to think for the long term so you won't be swapping them out anytime soon.

Not all ORB finishes wear off. There are "living" ORB finishes that do (and that's part of it's charm) and there are other finishes (Venetian bronze or aged bronze) that won't discolor. We have had aged bronze for 3-1/2 years and love it! My opinion is also to get what you want; you'll probably regret it if you don't as it's something you see and use every day.

Since I may have a choice now - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT !! LOL

Would it be ok to use the satin for the doors but use ORB lighting? My house isn't huge and it's pretty open.

Door hardware has nothing to do with light fixtures or faucets. Get what you like.

Ditto to what natal said.

You can definately mix and match. My door hardware is flat black. My lighting is all ORB or black but my kitchen harware and lighitng is polished mickel. Bath fixtures are chrome. Do what you like!

That is the scariest part - I really don't know what I like anymore..I think I know - then I second guess myself.
Too many decisions to make and making them by yourself is really hard.

Could you get one set of ORB hardware (handles, not the hinges for now) and put one on a door versus the nickel and see how you feel? It wouldnÂt even have to be the identical hardware, perhaps something from a local store that is of similar style, and just try it?

les917 - I kind of did that last nite - I didnt' have actual hardware - but I used something silver and something dark - put them by the doors - thought about the muted paint color that would be going on the doors -

Decided on ORB.....

Hooray! Another decision made with time and experimentation!
I know how it is to second-guess some things (in my case, everything!). Now you can relax until the builder calls on the next issue!