A dressing table or vanity adds a touch of romance and glamour to any woman’s bedroom. These lovely items are back in fashion as women seek more elegance in their lives. Eleanor Flegg in an article in The Sunday Times quotes Akiko Busch writing in her book that, Geography of Home, a dressing room is a ‘place to indulge one’s fancies and compose one’s soul.’

History

Dressing tables originated in the eighteenth century in France. They were called ‘toilette’ or ‘toilet tables’ because women used to wrap their cosmetic items in a small, square linen cloth (the toilette) before they put them in a chest. Although very popular in Victorian times and in the early nineteenth century vanities went out of fashion somewhat in the tasteless nineteen-seventies because of the emphasis on minimalism and practicality.

There are many different types of dressing tables to choose from when decorating a bedroom. Large, draped, kidney-shaped tables are very luxurious and can look good in a larger room. Antique Victorian or French tables are also very suitable for large bedrooms. Some have elaborate mirrors and beautiful carvings.

    As most bedrooms tend to be small now, art-deco style dressing-tables which don’t take up as much room are the new trend. Plain wooden vanities and the more modern, white-painted styles can work wonders in a small bedroom. Some have mirrored surfaces which look good, but require a lot of cleaning.

    Most women think that the mirror is the most important part of their dressing-table because they prefer to put their make-up on in the sanctuary of the bedroom. Some have full-length mirrors nearby or attached but
         this requires a lot of space. Antique-style mirrors
           are very decorative but more modern mirrors can
           also look very attractive. Some dressing tables
          have flip-top lids with mirrors which are very
             practical. Drawers are also very useful for makeup and sundry items.
Decorating the Dressing Table

Antique bottles, potpourris, scented waters, perfumes – there are hundreds of different ways in which to decorate dressing tables. In Victorian times the top was usually covered in muslin or lace and ladies put their silver combs and brush set on them. Actress Jacyln Smith places vintage perfume bottles and a silver comb and brush set on hers like the Victorians.

Jewelry boxes look very attractive on top of dressing tables and there are many different kinds. Antique, wooden, Oriental, or modern boxes are just some ideas.

Makeup boxes are also very useful. Many vintage boxes can be used for almost anything.

Some women like to place a few dolls or figurines on their dressing tables. An attractive vintage doll or figurine looks lovely on an antique vanity.

Kerosene lamps and candle-holders are also back in fashion. These add a very distinctive Victorian touch to the dressing table and bedroom.

Choose the dressing table carefully to match the style of the bedroom, and then have fun decorating it. Once you have it you will feel like a princess or old-time movie-star as you apply your makeup in front of your mirror!