My vote is for the brass plate. The painted over version reminds me of all the cheap, lazy paint jobs I have seen over the years (which I know yours is not).

Oh, I totally like the brass plate! It looks so different and appropriate. I really, really like it. Can we see more of your kitchen? I think I am going really, really like it as well! :)

I vote for the brass, too. I agree that if it can be aged or "patina'd" it would "match" your door knob trim nicely.

(FWIW, a more faceted crystal knob might play along with the door knobs even better)

Oooohhh, pretty! I also vote for the brass.

Very pretty! I definitely vote for the brass. Can't wait to see more of your kitchen!

Definitely the brass plate. It's lovely!

Very nice! Another vote for the brass plate, but also would love to see a more faceted knob to add more life/sparkle.

I love the brass plate!

Your doorknobs are amazing. I am drooling over them!

Yes, the brass. It brings out the crystal.

I vote for brass or paint it black.

I like the brass and I've read that you can use Palmolive dishwashing liquid to darken it once any protective coating is removed. Look for an ingredient in the dishwashing liquid that sounds like some form of sulphur as that's what darkens the brass. I have no personal experience with this method and you might want to Google it to see if it would work for you.

I like the brass, too, all by itself...

BUT - I would think carefully about how it will look when you have a whole lot of them all around the kitchen...every cabinet, every drawer...horizontal on all the drawers, vertical on all the doors.

I also agree that the white plate looks like you just painted over them.

So a better option might be to paint the escutcheon plates just a bit deeper in tone, perhaps matching the vein in your marble, so that you see the profile and the reference to your lovely door knobs, it looks intentional, but it doesn't clutter up your pale palette so much.

Brass! Both the door and cabinet hardware are very sharp.

Thank you! I am so glad that everyone is choosing the brass! I liked it, but I was worried that it would make our kitchen look "dated", and in an bad way, not a good way.

Bronwynsmom, I totally know what you are saying, and that's one of my big worries too. Yes, it looks pretty when it's on one drawer, but what is it going to look like when there are 23 of them throughout the kitchen. We will definitely keep your suggestion in mind when we have our countertop installed if we are finding that the brass is just too much.

In the meantime, I think I'm going to look up how to age brass (I do think it would look better if the brass plates were at least more uniform), and keep my eye out for more faceted knobs!

I've never used this, but I know many DIY bloggers (House of Fifty) use it to get that aged look quickly

Here is a link that might be useful: Rub and buff

Link below is a company that ells aging solution for all metals. Before using it, boil all of your back plates to get rid of any paint, grime, ect. I think they will look great finished and with the glass knobs. It also looks like you did a great job on the cabinets.

Here is a link that might be useful: age metals

Brass. Dated, but dated like your door. You know, in a good way!

Since I don't care for painted hardware, I guess it's the obvious. I wouldn't consider the kitchen hardware dated, but more consistent with other hardware you have.

If you can pry the hardware off, soaking it in paint remover or the old fashion way with kerosene will remove it. ;o)