8 ways to make your kitchen unique

Even the most confident home decorator can be confused when it comes to adding personal style to your kitchen. Without a bit of fun to go with the function, the fanciest professional renovation -- replete though it may be with gorgeous granite counters and gleaming brand-new appliances -- can end up feeling a bit, well, anonymous. But there are actually lots of ways you can make your kitchen uniquely yours, and best of all, none of them cost much money. Here are a few ideas, with some help from Toronto designer Jacqueline Glass.

1 Pick a theme.
Collect items that reflect this theme. Some great traditional kitchen motifs are strawberries or vegetables; chickens or cows, especially in a French country style kitchen; sunflowers; antique advertising signs.

2 Beautiful kitchen implements can dress it up.
Relieve the coldness that sometimes goes with smooth materials such as granite and stainless steel with beautiful pepper mills, an arrangement of herbed oils in beautiful bottles, a marble mortar and pestle, or a china bowl filled with garlic bulbs add an organic feeling.

3 Create vignettes.
In the kitchen, for a look that's both practical and visually pleasing. Next to the coffee maker, put out a selection of pretty cups and matching creamer and sugar bowl; arrange a wooden knife block and breadbox next to a handsome maple cutting board.

4 In Europe, beautiful design in everyday things is considered a matter of course.
Alessi's famous Costco teapot, pots and pans from Williams Sonoma or Ashton Green, and ergonomic cooking utensils are as pleasing to look at as they are to use.