The Colorful And Vintage Salt And Pepper Shakers You Should Look For At Thrift Stores

Salt and pepper shakers and grinders may seem like unassuming, purely functional cooking tools, but they can be an unexpected stylish way to bring a little kitsch into your kitchen. Beyond serving the very specific purpose of adding flavor to all the delicious meals you prepare, these items can serve as design pieces to be proudly exhibited. Unlike other spices and condiments which are usually left in the cupboard, salt and pepper often make their way to the dining table. So investing in unique sets — such as the Olde Thompson's vintage Sunset Fiesta set — can totally change the look of your dinner party display. 

Olde Thompson has been making designer-grade pepper mills and salt shakers since 1944, with its vintage pieces ranging from super sleek, minimalist, mid-century wood designs to beautiful, Japanese porcelain style models. The retro, colorful Sunset Fiesta salt shaker and pepper mill set could just be its crown jewel though. Made in vibrant red, blue, green, and yellow material, it's rated 4.7 stars on Amazon after nearly 2,200 reviews. It has been around and popular since at least the 1990s, which adds a healthy dose of nostalgia for younger antique hunters. Still, as a testament to the longevity of its design, the Sunset Fiesta set was available to buy on Amazon up until at least 2024, based on its most recent review. It may currently be unavailable there, but thanks to its three-decades worth of history, this is a kitchen essential you can always find at your local thrift.

Spotting this salt shaker and pepper mill set won't be hard since its vibrant colors will make it pop among even the messiest of thrift shelves. The pair usually has a green base, red top, blue body, and a yellow ring. However, there are some models found on eBaywhere the body of the salt shaker is orange, the ring is a cyan blue, and the base is a darker blue. Another example is two inches taller and comes with a two-tiered dark blue base, a red body, a yellow ring, and a green top. Additionally, depending on the edition, the mill may come either with a spheric or double funnel metal finial. Both mill and shaker should have an Olde Thompson mark on the bottom. 

The original packaging comes with a lifetime guarantee, and fans of the company vouch for the longevity of its products. Nevertheless, poor care and a lack of proper cleaning from previous owners can render these items useless, especially the pepper mill, which depends on the health of its grinding mechanism to work. It's a good thing, then, that you can always turn old salt and pepper shakers into unique hanging decor.