Have you considered dual metal/ceramic handles such as these ? http://guide.alibaba.com/sport/images/shop/79/09/24/0/3-78-inches-ceramic-kitchen-cabinet-handles-pulls-knobs-dresser-pull-drawer-pulls-furniture-handle-knob-hardware-white_632390.jpg The metal can be a variety of types/colours/finishes also as Slavka says Iron (dull would be a great choice coupled with a plain white to pick up the counter top and offset the monotony of the drawer/cupboard fronts.

In my opinion... 1. Overhead Cupboards: - no handles gives more of a clean/streamline contemporary look - no push/pull mechanism either (I personally think the click-clack noise is annoying) I would suggest making the cupboard doors slightly longer (approx. 20mm) than the frame base for ease of pull-open, then you could also add soft-close mechanisms so you can just push-close without the door slamming (little round rubber pads on the frame would also work just as well) 2. Base Cabinets (btw you didn't specify doors and/or drawers??): - no push/pull mechanism (for the same reason stated above) - with handles, but in stainless steel is a must (not the cheap coated metal ones) Pros: easy to open, no dirty finger marks on doors (particularly harder to clean if matt surface) Cons: can't think of any, other than the look of the handles (but get nice ones... see the Block's Josh & Charlotte's kitchen handles... just wow, imo) - without handles, but would highly recommend gloss surface Pros: again clean/streamline contemporary look Cons: dirty finger marks and food/liquid spillage into the gap Either way your base cabinets, whether that be doors or drawers, should definitely be soft close... an extra cost, but one you certainly won't regret... And if you do decide to go with no handles and if you can afford it (very $$) then check out: http://www.blum.com/au/en/01/60/20/ Good luck! :)

Lots of people treat handles as an after-thought, yet they make so much difference to the overall look of your kitchen. When choosing handles on cabinetry, you need to decide on size and location of the handles on the doors and drawers, as well as the style and finish of handle. Yes, you need to be 100% sold on the handle you choose. You need to get a couple of samples and see what they look like in situ. Don't just buy them all and get them home and find they are the wrong size or finish. I think the big doors on the right need handles, otherwise they are too hard to open with push catches. The ones in the pic on the doors could be a little smaller if you don't want them to stand out too much. If the doors and drawers in the pic are the new cabinets, then your handle positions are fixed. Because the are positioned quite close to the top edge, you shouldn't get a thick handle like the one you proposed, otherwise they will appear too close too the edge. If you want something less noticeable and modern and still a bow handle, I would go for a handle like this: http://www.furnwaredorset.com.au/Handles-Knobs/Breda-Bow-Handle It is thinner and simpler than the one you chose, so these will stand out less. Choosing handles is a balance between practicality, appearance and good positioning. I wouldn't let $4 or $10 get in the way of handle choice. The kitchen is a large investment, so to skimp on the price of the handles would be a false economy.

Happy to help Bronwyn, there are lots to pick from and making the right discussion can simply make a kitchen. some people think that having the best door/benchtop/appliances make a kitchen but often its keeping it simple and selecting a plan door nice top and stylish handles that can make a kitchen. Please share a photo when its all done.