All shook up over Shakers: 101 Salt and Pepper shakers

Some of the most eye-catching designs I’ve seen on a well-dressed table lately involve the humble salt and pepper shaker.

Many of them aren’t even recognizable - at least, not until you see the familiar holes on top. They boast impressive styling (and often, prices to match). Serve up your salt in style and pour on your pepper with panache.

With 101 designs indicated below, I’ve given you plenty of choices that sprinkle with sass. Bon Appetit!



(above: 1-5: Fitz and Floyd Ricamo, 12.50, Macys; Gallus rooster, 195.00, Lladro; Springtime, 125.00, Vivre; Chicken in Basket, 14.95, Surlatable; Birds 50.00, Gracious Style).


(above: 6-11: Clown fish, 75.00, Gumps; Owls, 18.00, Anthropologie; Monkey 7.99, Target, Stags, 22.00, Well Dressed Home, Cats in Garden 10.00, Gifts from a Distance; Frogs, 11.95, Sur la Table).



(above: 12-17: Stacking pots, 25.00, A plus Store; Salt and Pepper set 100.00, Georg Jensen;, Magppie salt and pepper set, 79.00, Home Couture; Salt and Pepper set, Magenta, Alessi Pepe le moko, 118.00, Abitare; Hug, 25.00, Greener Grass Design).



(above: 18-23: Stoneware, 18.00, Le creuset; Sigaliot, 25.00, Etsy; Sea blue baby tagine, 24.00, World Shoppe; Red Berry Bodo Sperlein 46.00 Tart on the Web; Nettuno Coral, 39.00, Vietri; Red salt and pepper, 22.00 Fiesta).



(above: 24-29: Fruit Haven, 28.50, Spode; Artichoke, 125.00, Vivre, Artichoke, 14.95, Sur la table; Florentine, 7.99, Target; Pineapple, L’ Objet; Pumpkin Gourd, 14.95, Online Discount Mart).




(above: 30-34: Chinoiserie gazebos, 30.00, The Source Perrier; Pagoda Pearls and Swarovski, 175.00, L’ Objet, Pagoda, 250.00, The Silver Gallery, Chrysler building, 40.00, New York Library Shop; Beehive 20.00, Kristen Grace).



(above: 35-39: Martha Stewart Everyday Golden Wreath, 5.99, Kmart; Tse Tse Poivriere, 52.00, Fitzsu Society; Crystal Spice, 95.00, L’Objet, Turtle Spice Jewels, L’Objet; Jeweled birds, 595.00, Jay Strongwater).



(above: 40-46: Jeweled ice round, 24.99, Lenox; Magnolia, 29.00, Arthur Court; Lauren Walker, 49.99, Macys; Kalliste, 206.67, Artedona; Waterford 135.00, Saks Fifth Ave; June salt dish by William Yeoward, 130.00 william Bloomingdales; Montana, 10.00, Pottery Barn).



(above: 47-53: Ghost and Skeleton, 7.98, Lillian Vernon, Woodland 48.00, Spode; Winter Greetings, 46.00, Lenox; Kissing Snowpeople 11.99, Yahoo store; Turkey, 49.99, Dinnerware Depot, Christmas tree, 30.00 Spode; Holiday, 45.00, Lenox).



(above: 54-59: Axel mill, 195.00, Fitzsu Society, Fluidform Serene Dusk Dawn Mill, 110.00, Charles and Marie; Empire, 21.50, Pfaltzgraff; Wooden, 12.95, Crate and Barrel; Palm Wood, 9.07, Patina Stores, Shells 450.00, Verdura).



(above: 60-65: Kuchengnomen, 43.00, Cake; Lotus Pod, 56.00, The Home Port; Twist, 79.00, Nambe; Ypsilon, 116.25, Artedona; Cubus, 110.51, Artedona; Define Curved, 14.99 pounds, Barfly).



(above: 66-72: Baby Crocodile, 475.00, Tart on the Web, Vertigo, 160.00, Vivre; Twist, 130.00, Georg Jensen; Stainless Steel Trudeau, 16.50, Klinq; Galet, 157.87, Artedona; Kate Spade Library Stripe, 40.00, Michael C. Fina; Lighthouse, 47.00, Mariposa).



(above: 73-79: Taste of Talking, 22.00, Charles and Marie; Wooden Block, 7.95, Patina Stores; Rack’em Up, 5.99, Wrapables; Coke Contour, 17.50 pounds, Happy Days; Pig, 65.00, Uncommon Goods; Lola Goldstein, 22.00, MoMA).



(above: 80-87: Leaf, 20.00, Michael Aram; Gothic, Magenta, Sea Urchin, 85,00, Tiffany and Co.; Juliska, 49.00, Lille Shop; White salt and pepper set, 14.99, Joanne Hudson; Luminous, 4.00, Pier1, Kate Spade, 88.00 June Lane, Bloomingdale’s; Classic Century Eva Zeisel, 36.95, Crate and Barrel).



(above: 88-93: Studio Cellars, 10.00 Pottery Barn; Birds, 48.00, Jonathan Adler; Artisan, 6.99; West Elm, Shake-a-leg by Perch, 48.00, Velocity; Butlers Pantry, 29.00, Lenox; Natural Capiz, 12.95, Zgallerie).



(above: 94-101: Caddy, 205.00, Match, Arte Italica salt and pepper, 108.00, Bloomingdales; Michael Graves, 159.00, Alessi; Stainless Steel 15.00, Pier1, Mini evolution by Trudeau, 66.00, Klin; Salt shaker and Pepper mill Brilliant, 25.00, Klinq; Acorn, 45.00, Gracious Style; Castors 60.00, Georg Jensen).

Putting your best Vase forward

We all like to look good when getting dress to go to a party. Well, setting the table is alot like dressing for a party:

1. Dress the table with cloth and complimentary china in matching or contrasting colors. 2. Add napkins as you would a belt or scarf, 3. accessorize with the jewelry – shiny flatware, napkin rings, candles, and place cards or favors.

Last but certaintly not least, top it off with the centerpiece - - - with an outfit it could be a fabulous hat or a stunning pin. With a table, your centerpiece is your vase.

A vase is a twice-blessed design statement. Choose one carefully and you have a piece of sculpture, when it's not full of beautiful flowers. Assemble a few beautiful vases together and you have a centerpiece for your room. Either of these vases would make a stunning centerpiece.

"Hip-hip Horray"! This month's issue of House Beautiful is fantastic and the 101 vase story makes me wanna set my table for a party!!! Cheers.

Eye Candy: 101 Plates

In case you missed the "101 Plates" story that appeared in House Beautiful's May 2007 issue, check out the slide show on their website. It's pure "eye candy". Have a wonderful weekend.