High/low: Bold holiday-ready kitchen

Can you tell the high from the low?

Think you've figured it out?

High: $8,744

1 Hinkley mini steel Rigby pendant lights in Buckeye Bronze, Universal Lamp, $219 each. 2 Villa Lagoon handmade cement Concentric Hex C backsplash tiles in Featherstone, Excalibur & Putty, 8" x 9", Creekside Tile, $33 per sq. ft. 3 One-handle high-arc pull-down STo faucet in Spot Resist Stainless with MotionSense, Moen, $985. 4 Medium maple Edge-grain carving board, Williams-Sonoma, $135. 5 Staub enamelled cast-iron round cocotte in Cherry, 6 l, Kitchen Stuff Plus, $288. 6 Dual-Fuel range, 30", Monogram, $5,196. 7 Anodized aluminum drawer pulls in Satin Aluminum, 12' (cut to size), through designers, Richelieu Hardware, $49. 8 Le Creuset enamelled stoneware rectangular casserole in Cherry with lid (not shown), 9" x 16", Hudson’s Bay, $175. 9 Cotton Market tea towel in Center Stripe, West Elm, $19 per 2-piece set. 10 Narumi bone china Classic White gravy boat with saucer, William Ashley China, $66. 11 White handmade round porcelain platter, 15", Looks Like White, $185 US.

Low: $5,081

1 Matteo mini metal pendant lights in Black, Universal Lamp, $125 each. 2 Handmade cement Strata III backsplash tiles, 8" x 9", Cement Tile, $21 US per sq. ft. 3 One-handle high-arc pull-down Align faucet in Spot Resist Stainless, Moen, $550. 4 Bamboo Aptitlig carving board, IKEA, $17. 5 Le Cuistot Vieille enamelled cast-iron round cocotte in Red, 7 l, Kitchen Stuff Plus, $112. 6 GE Cafe? Dual-Fuel range, 30", GE Appliances, $3,299. 7 Aluminum Blankett drawer pulls, 15", IKEA, $8 per pair. 8 Le Cuistot Vieille enamelled cast-iron casserole in Red, 11" x 14", Kitchen Stuff Plus, $68. 9 Cotton Tekla tea towel, IKEA, $1. 10 GlucksteinHome bone china Quincy Pinstripe gravy boat and saucer in White, Hudson’s Bay, $6 each. 11 Form porcelain round platter, 14", Crate and Barrel, $23.

White gravy boats

Like all other specialty dishware, a gravy boat has an air of opulence. But you don’t have to be on the gravy train to afford it: We found one for a scant $7! Whatever your budget, seek out an all-white version. It’s a timeless choice that’s sure to complement any tablescape, and the array of available shapes – from rounded to angular – is dizzyingly delightful.   Porcelain Isabel, Bowring, $7. Mikasa bone chine Elegance White, William Ashley China, $120. Narumi bone china Classic White, William Ashley China, $66. Porcelain Pour, Crate and Barrel, $25.

Pick a platter

The holidays often bring the whole family together under one roof, and the house comes alive with activity. With such cherished company and the benefit of extra time, there’s no better occasion for the home chef to show off his or her skills – and we do mean show off. Bust out the fancy china, pour that vintage wine you’ve been saving and splurge on a statement centrepiece. And of course, the piece de resistance, the turkey, ought to be served in style (needless to say, we’re strongly opposed to the electric carver). Present the bird on a large platter that suits your table setting, be it classic or modern, and slice it right at the table using a traditional carving set. It’s a long-lived ritual that’s worth upholding.   Fishs Eddy stoneware Gilded platter, West Elm, $59. Progetti stainless steel carving set, William Ashley China, $69. Handmade glazed stoneware Intermix platter, CB2, $20. Crackle-glazed stoneware scalloped Heriloom platter, Williams-Sonoma, $65.

Red casserole dish selection

Bake your potluck dish in a festive red casserole and, if you’re feeling generous, let the host keep it. 1 Simply Calphalon enamelled cast-iron, 9" x 13", Bed Bath & Beyond, $110. 2 Dansk Kobenstyle enamelled steel in Chili Red, 9" x 13", William Ashley China, $100. 3 Le Creuset enamelled cast-iron Herit- age in Cherry, 9" x 13", Williams-Sonoma, $90. 4 Glazed stoneware Potluck LOW Lasagna, 10" x 15", Crate and Barrel, $27.