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Close your eyes and imagine the quintessential pepper mill. Or, if you can't, google "pepper mill." You'll get images of the classic profile that I can best describe as a spire on a Russian Orthodox cathedral, but with hips, or the bottom-half of a knobby baby deer leg.
This distinctive, iconic design is thanks to Peugeot, the French car and pepper mill company that first designed and began selling the product in the mid-19th century. To this day Peugeot still makes their iconic, ergonomic mills, but the design itself has also inspired generations of copy cats and subtle riffs.
As a result, if you’re in the market for a pepper mill, you are usually left with two options: A) get a variation of the classic baby deer leg, or B) get one that is exceedingly ugly. Which maybe doesn’t matter. Case in point, when we tested for the best pepper mill, we were big fans of some not-that-handsome ones. If function is all you're aiming for, that is totally fine!
Maybe, though, you want something that’s beautiful and well-designed and a little more contemporary than the classic Peugeot model. If you’ve been wondering if it’s possible to buy a chic modern pepper mill—it is! We compiled a list of some models that break the mold.
1. Sowden Pepper Grinder
It is surprisingly difficult to find a well-designed pepper mill that is also colorful, which is why these steel grinders from HAY are so enticing. The quirky color combinations may frighten a cautious decorator, but especially in times like these, not everything in your home has to be neutral!
2. Stockholm Pepper Grinder
It’s safe to say that we are at peak saturation right now in the popularity of Danish mid-century design. But that’s not a bad thing. It just means that there’s a high chance that these low-profile wooden pepper mills, which come in either walnut or oak, will play well with those teak chairs you got a great deal on at the antique mall.
3. Traditional Greek Pepper Mill
These pepper grinders are modeled after traditional coffee mills used throughout Greece and Turkey—and they churn out pulverized peppercorns faster than an average mill. With its silver shine, this mill will cast an alluring gleam on a sun-drenched countertop.
4. French Marble Pepper Mill
Because this pepper mill is made of solid marble, it is not only marvelous to behold, but it could also single-handedly hold down an outdoor tablecloth against a gust of wind. This thing is heavy, which means that it’s less of a daily pepper mill and more of a stunner you pull out for use tableside at a dinner party.
5. Peugeot Walnut Pepper Mill
Even Peugeot is taking advantage of the ongoing enthusiasm for minimalist design. This cylindrical pepper mill is also made of sustainably-sourced walnut wood. Just like the original design, this has a knob up top that allows you to adjust for coarseness.
6. Nambé Pepper Mill
Nambé is a decorative arts company based in New Mexico famous for its curvilinear designs. This pepper mill takes after the cast metalware they are most known for, but is composed of medium-hued acacia wood.
