Whether you're talking fashion or home decor, the devil, as they say, is in the details. Sure, you can fill your home with lovely furniture but a home doesn't have true style until you start adding accents like artwork, textiles and even the little things like salt and pepper shakers. A charming set of shakers not only flavour your food, they can add flair to a kitchen or dining room table and give your guests a glimpse into your personality.
Artsy
From left: Muuto Plus Salt & Pepper Mill, $89 for black or white, $99 for multi-coloured, available at Hollace Cluny; U+ Collection Salt & Pepper Shakers, $32.50, Umbra
These artfully designed accessories look like little sculptures. Pick graphic, unconventional shapes (the silver pepper shaker in the photo on the right fits inside the clear salt shaker) to turn your table into a mini gallery.
Collectible
From Left: Vintage Hen and Rooster shakers, about $10.89 and Antique Telephone Salt & Pepper Shakers, about $9.80, both eBay.ca
If you're into antique or flea market finds — even if your home is full of furniture from big-box stores — collective accents like these cute shakers are a great way to introduce vintage charm into your kitchen decor.
High-Tech
From left: Graviti Electric Mills, $39.95 USD each, Williams-Sonoma; Peugeot Amiens Salt & Pepper Set, $139.95, Epicure
These battery-powered grinders give the impression — true or not — that you know your way around the kitchen... or that you just enjoy toys of all kinds. Either way, these sleek shakers will complement your stainless steel appliances as well as your flat screen TV.
Novelty
From left: Fred Lift & Shake, about $12 USD and Fred Good Chemistry Salt and Pepper shakers, about $20 USD, both amazon.com
Kitchen accessories with a sense of humour show that you don't take yourself too seriously. But stay away from just any joke shop trinket and look for funny shakers that are well-designed and smart.
Future Heirlooms
From left: Audubon Salt and Pepper Shakers, $5,250 and Elsa Peretti Thumbprint Salt and Pepper Shakers, $555, both Tiffany
Let's face it, if you're buying kitchen accessories from Tiffany, you've got money to burn. but sterling silver certainly adds a level of class to your table and you can — and should — pass these down to your grandkids.
From our friends at Food Network Canada: