Matt or polished gold?
The same colour, two different effects. Polished gold reflects light and catches the eye; matt gold absorbs it and stays understated. Across an entire kitchen, where handles can number in the dozens, matt is easier on the eye. Polished gold is better suited to a single feature, a small piece of furniture or one door.
Care
Use a soft cloth and soapy water. Avoid scouring creams and abrasive sponges: they polish patches of the matt finish, creating shiny areas that cannot be restored.
Coordinating your hardware
To coordinate a whole room, explore all the colours of furniture knobs and handles, particularly gold and gold-tone, black and chrome versions.