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The quickest way to add a pinch of personality to your kitchen
Salt and pepper mills are having a bit of an identity makeover – and we're completely here for it. The once instantly recognisable cylindrical grinders and classic bobbin silhouettes are giving way to quirky characters, playful pairings and kitsch designs that deserve far more than a quick pass around the dinner table. Equal parts seasoning essential and miniature sculpture, they're the kind of pieces that have guests doing a double-take.
Once a luxury status symbol reserved for the wealthy, today's salt and pepper pots are earning pride of place on kitchen shelves, sideboards and dinner party tablescapes, doing far more than simply seasoning your meal. These whimsical duos (and intentionally mismatched pairings) are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to sprinkle personality throughout your home.
And there's a design for practically every obsession. Dachshunds? Naturally. Gurgle fish in miniature form, of course. Autumn squash, peas in a pod, tiny acorns and even sardines have all found themselves reimagined in sculptural form. These joyful little tabletop characters are the ones to shop now:
Reel in these beauties. Inspired by the iconic Gluggle Jug – named after the distinctive 'glug glug' sound it makes when pouring – these seasoning shakers are a miniature version of the design. They may not make a sound, but they'll certainly make an impression on the table.
Calling all dog lovers – especially dachshund devotees. These hand-painted stoneware shakers have been designed by quirky British brand Quail, best-known for its collectable animal ceramics.
Part of the Deliciously Ella collection – a 60-piece range designed to make everyday cooking more joyful – these hand-painted beetroot shakers are guaranteed to brighten up the table. Each one is individually painted, making every pair unique.
Shaped like a pair of sardines, these aluminium salt and pepper shakers are a playful addition to your summer table. Their quirky design and sleek silver finish make them the ideal gift for the host who has it all.
Crafted from acacia wood and topped with a polished stainless steel crown, this salt cellar is the type of piece that looks just as good on display when not in use. Pair it with the matching pepper mill for an elegant dining table. If whimsical designs aren't your style, this timeless duo certainly will be.
Sardines are having a design moment and these playful shakers are an easy way to embrace the trend. Add to summer tables and seafood feasts alike and they'll have guests fishing for compliments.
Crustaceans have tickled our fancy for some time now, with beaded decorations on the Christmas tree, embroidered cushions and now in the form of salt and pepper shakers. The red glossy glaze and speckled detailing adds an artisan-like quality.
Housed in a charming green pod, these dolomite pea shakers are as decorative as they are practical. Give them pride of place on your dining table or style them on open kitchen shelving.
Offering a playful nod to autumn, these squash-inspired stoneware shakers are just as suited to seasonal tablescapes as they are year-round dining.
Proof that everyday essentials can be works of art, these acacia wood grinders combine a slender, contemporary shape topped with a stacked ceramic design in playful colour. They'll look just as good on display as they do in use.
Inspired by nature, these brass acorn shakers with an antiqued gold finish feel like treasured vintage finds. They're almost too pretty to put away.
Simple, sculptural and effortlessly stylish, these mango wood mills feature an elegant shape, complete with a stainless steel handle and a perfectly balanced wooden ball.
Look inside almost any beautifully styled home and chances are you'll spot an Addison Ross grinder. With its finger firmly on the pulse, the brand is quick to reinterpret the latest colour trends and shapes into salt and pepper mill form. Here, we've mixed and matched the Sage Twister with a Chocolate bobbin for a characterful look.
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