High/low: Parisian-style kitchen

Can you tell the difference?

Low: $2,081

1 Delta Trinsic pull-down single-lever faucet in Champagne Bronze, Roman Bath Centre, $535. 2 Copper-plated stainless steel Russet measuring cups, Anthropologie, $28 US per 4-piece set. 3 Frosted mouth-blown glass Vanadin pendant lights, IKEA, $20 each. 4 Stainless steel-lined copper saucepan & frying pan, HomeSense, $40 each. 5 Powder-coated steel Karpalund table base (customized), IKEA, $80; custom cultured marble tabletop in Platinum Grey Agate, H&M Manufacturing, $450; supplies, The Home Depot, $132. 6 Cotton tea towel, HomeSense, $8 per 4-piece set. 7 Backless counter-height polished stainless steel Rochelle stool in Gold, Black Rooster Decor, $325. 8 Tarkett FiberFloor grey geo-metric vinyl sheet flooring, Lowe’s, $1.70 per sq. ft. 9 Raised foil-coated fibreboard Grimslöv cabinetry doors in Off-white,IKEA, $144. 10 Style Selections zinc arched pulls in Aged Brass, 4", Lowe’s, $5 each. 11 Stainless steel Catering Heritage kitchen scale in Black, Kitchen Stuff Plus, $40.

High: $8,156

1 Waterstone contemporary pull-down single-lever 5400 faucet in Polished Brass, Roman Bath Centre, $1,859. 2 Copper-plated stainless steel measuring cups, Williams-Sonoma, $60 per 4-piece set. 3 Cut frosted glass Stamp pendant lights, EQ3, $200 each. 4 Signature Line stainless steel-lined brushed copper saucepan, 1.5 l, Falk, $255; frying pan, 1.7 l, Falk, $320. 5 Free-standing Carrara marble-topped hand-finished cast steel and aluminum French kitchen island, Crate and Barrel, $1,799. 6 Turkish cotton twill tea towel in Jojoba, Williams-Sonoma, $27 per 4-piece set. 7 Backless counter-height stainless steel Metallic stool in Polished Gold, Art Shoppe, $799. 8 White Oak marble Honeycomb Hexagon floor tiles, The Home Depot, $18 per sq. ft. 9 Bevelled lacquered fibreboard Bodbyn cabinetry doors in Off-white, IKEA, $311. 10 Contemporary 141 PULLS in Burnished Brass, 5", Richelieu Hardware, $46 each, through designers. 11 Vintage-style enamelled steel spring kitchen scale, Williams-Sonoma, $60.

DIY kitchen island

Create extra storage with a stylish free-standing island! Find out how we created the budget-friendly customized version using an IKEA Karpalund table base here. LOW: Powder-coated steel Karpalund table base (customized), IKEA, $80; custom cultured marble tabletop in Platinum Grey Agate, H&M Manufacturing, $450; supplies, The Home Depot, $132. HIGH: Free-standing Carrara marble-topped hand-finished cast steel and aluminum French kitchen island, Crate and Barrel, $1,799.

Take a seat

Add some glitz and glamour to your kitchen with a stainless steel stool. LOW: Backless counter-height polished stainless steel Rochelle stool in Gold, Black Rooster Decor, $325. HIGH: Backless counter-height stainless steel Metallic stool in Polished Gold, Art Shoppe, $799.

Do look down

Add pattern to your kitchen with two fabulous flooring options to suit any budget. LOW: Tarkett FiberFloor grey geo-metric vinyl sheet flooring, Lowe’s, $1.70 per sq. ft. HIGH: White Oak marble Honeycomb Hexagon floor tiles, The Home Depot, $18 per sq. ft.

Let there be light

Both of these pendant lights showcase classic understated elegance. From afar, the white glass shades are unassuming, lending interest with their sleek silhouettes, but up close, beautiful intricate textures are revealed. So what contributes to the lights’ tenfold price difference? While the Low pattern is imprinted on the surface in one fell swoop in a mould using the mouth-blowing method, each of the indents on the High is individually cut into the glass. LOW: Frosted mouth-blown glass Vanadin pendant lights, IKEA, $20. HIGH: Cut frosted glass Stamp pendant lights, EQ3, $200.

Let it flow

Glam up your kitchen with a warm metal faucet like one of these sleek single-lever goosenecks. LOW: Delta Trinsic pull-down single-lever faucet in Champagne Bronze, Roman Bath Centre, $535. HIGH: Waterstone contemporary pull-down single-lever 5400 faucet in Polished Brass, Roman Bath Centre, $1,859.

Metal masters

Glam up your kitchen with a warm metal faucet like one of these sleek single-lever goosenecks. Go for brass (polished, antiqued or matte), bronze or rose gold. 1 Waterworks Henry one-hole in Unlacquered Brass, Ginger’s, $3,365. 2 Waterstone pull-down 5400 in Polished Brass, Roman Bath Centre, $1,859. 3 LaSalle 8DLAL in Matt Antique Brass, The Rubinet Faucet Company, $699. 4 Delta Trinsic pull-down in Champagne Bronze, Roman Bath Centre, $535. 5 Pull-down Spaghetti in Rose Gold, Aquabrass, $650.

It's all in the details

Before you update your kitchen cabinets make sure the design reflects the simplicity or complexity of your kitchen and go from there. LOW: Raised foil-coated fibreboard Grimslöv cabinetry doors in Off-white, IKEA, $144. HIGH: Bevelled lacquered fibreboard Bodbyn cabinetry doors in Off-white, IKEA, $311.

Tip the scales

While seemingly a small accessory on the counter, this scale is a useful gadget for many cooking endeavours. LOW: Stainless steel Catering Heritage kitchen scale in Black, Kitchen Stuff Plus, $40. HIGH: Vintage-style enamelled steel spring kitchen scale, Williams-Sonoma, $60.

DIY pot rail

Searching for a stylish pot rail? Look no further than the curtain aisle: Drapery rods make apt stand-ins. Use clip rings for lighter items and S-hooks for heavier pieces.    

Copper field

Copper cookware is a hot commodity – and for good reason. In addition to its pretty shade, the metal delivers superior even results thanks to its high conductivity. However, not all copper cookware is created equal. Unless you’re buying a specialty item, such as a sugar pan, opt for pieces lined with a stable metal like stainless steel (copper can react with acidic and alkaline foods in a potentially harmful way). Look for hefty cookware, as thickness affects conductivity, with sturdy metal handles. LOW: Stainless steel-lined copper saucepan & frying pan, HomeSense, $40 each. HIGH: Signature Line stainless steel-lined brushed copper saucepan, 1.5 l, Falk, $255; frying pan, 1.7 l, Falk, $320.

Dual duty

An essential kitchen item doesn't need to be boring, or hidden! Find a metal or colourful version to fit your decor and put it on display. What a perfect way to show off your skills and keep your drawers a little more clutter-free. LOW: Copper-plated stainless steel Russet measuring cups, Anthropologie, $28 US per 4-piece set. HIGH: Copper-plated stainless steel measuring cups, Williams-Sonoma, $60 per 4-piece set.

Pull for glamour

Don't forget about your hardware! With so many styles to choose from you're sure to find something that fits your budget. LOW: Style Selections zinc arched pulls in Aged Brass, 4", Lowe’s, $5 each. HIGH: Contemporary 141 pulls in Burnished Brass, 5", Richelieu Hardware, $46 each, through designers.