I'm trying to get your terminology. By "handles" I'm assuming you mean "pulls". By "cupboards" I'm assuming you mean cabinets (vs. drawers). I think it's fine to have all of the pulls vertical, but do you not have any drawers?

Sorry, it's an MS day and I can seem to get my language clear..I do mean pulls, and I do have drawers. I had the idea of going all horizontal with pulls as I thought that would look consistent with the lines of the fireplace etc. the doors are raised panel, going to a factory for painting. The reason we are staying transitional instead of contemporary..

Pulling horizontally is awkward IMO

Thank you all for your comments I really appreciated it. I decided to go with horizontal on the drawers and vertical on doors as the doors appear too narrow for horizontal. I wasn't too sure why all horizontal wasn't working and the cabinet designer pointed out why. All horizontal work well on wide doors. When pointed out to me, mine are really quite narrow..an older design, part of working with what you have..thanks again!