Friday, October 12, 2012

The Dressing Table

"It is stated that nothing is more revealing of a woman's character than her dressing table..."

"The average woman is proud of her dressing-table, the toilet appointments, besides being necessary are nowadays a source of beauty."

Does that sound a bit old-fashioned? 
That's because it was taken from an article written in 1937 for the New Zealand  Railways Magazine!

 I visited a client recently who needed help deciding how to arrange all of her furniture since moving from her large home in the South to a little apartment in California.
The one piece of furniture that she would not get rid of in her bedroom was the vanity.  She sat there every morning and applied her makeup and styled her hair!

I suggested that she could do that in her bathroom like I do.  But being an old-fashioned southern girl, she was not letting go of her dressing table!

I wish I had a dressing table now!  Mine is technically the bathroom counter where I've at least gathered all the elements together. 
Of course, it doesn't always look like this, since I have to share the space with my husband! 

Perhaps my client was on to something!
Wouldn't it be a luxury to have your own personal vanity?

It wouldn't have to be elaborate.  A simple skirted table would work.

A romantic skirted table like this one!
Just add my antique mirror, perfume bottle collection and voila!

What are your feelings about dressing tables?
A necessity or old-fashioned?
I'm thinking an old-fashioned necessity!

For more Dressing Table inspiration, visit my Pinterest board here.
All photos except #6 are via Pinterest



Pin It!

23 comments:

Bunny Jean said...

Hi Delores!

I loved seeing all those beautiful dressing tables and will certainly visit your pinterest.

There was no room for my mother's small secretary desk in my new home so I put it in my small walk in closet. I am using it as my dressing table, something I have never had before. I love it because it tends to get cluttered and I simply close up the lid :) I plan on sharing this in the near future.

I always love visiting your beautiful blog!

xoxo Bunny Jean

vignette design said...

Thanks Bunny! I can't wait to see your dressing table. What a great idea to put it in your closet.

Tricia Rose Rough Linen said...

My dressing table is a necessity (because making-up takes so long?). It has good lighting and a triple mirror so I can see where my eyebrows end, and whether I have a strange bit in the back of my hair. I also have a telescoping round mirror for close-up. My dressing table is a vintage school desk, so it is capacious and the lid closes - I wouldn't change it for the world. I can sit and think and brush my hair, listen to music and drink tea...

Kathysue said...

Loved looking at all these romantic images. Since I am such an edited girl I probably won't have a dressing table, I couldn't stand that much stuff out to be seen, but I truly love seeing images of them so this was a real treat.
xo Kathysue

Babs said...

Dressing tables are so romantic, and I'd probably have one, if my bedroom or bath were large enough. As it is, I use the window ledge in the bath...somehow not quite the same. I enjoyed the lovely photos, and have a great weekend,
Babs

Terri~terrileeauthor said...

An absolute necessity. :)
I'm so glad I added mine several years ago, now I can't imagine doing without. It just feels so much more elegant to SIT and enjoy applying my make up and fiddling with hair clips or whatever. Even on my hurried workday mornings...it makes all the difference. Plus it's a fun spot for the granddaughter to PRETEND. It's the first thing she does whenever she visits Grandma.

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

You are right Delores, they are romantic and elegant, should most certainly be revived!
xx

Antique Style said...

Hi Delores,
I used to have a dressing table that I made--I used a rectangular card table, had a piece of glass cut for the top, and put a skirt on it. I topped it with a shaving mirror. I do miss it! Simone

Sarah said...

A dressing table is definitely romantic and full of elegance. I doubt I'd have one even if I had the space, but I do enjoy looking at these lovely examples. ;-)
Good for your client ~ she knows what is important to her. ~ Sarah

Silvia said...

These are lovely Delores, I wish I had the space for it..thanks!

Donnamae said...

I really enjoyed reading this post...so fun! In the second pic, that perfume bottle brought back memories. It's almost identical to one my mother had from the 60's...my Dad brought it back from out east. I don't have a dressing table either...the bathroom suffices, but it is fun to imagine what could be! ;)

Scribbler said...

We Southern ladies of a certain age do require a vanity for our vanities! I have never been able to put on make up or do hair standing up. These are beautiful examples.

I was admiring your perfume bottles -- you have a great assemblage. You are nearly there -- now put all that on a pretty table and get a girly chair!

carolyn bradford said...

I was thinking the same thing! An old fashioned necessity! Beautiful post! It makes me want one now, as well! Have a great weekend!

Katherine said...

I have always had a dressing table for my makeup and fragrances. I love it!
I have two kidney shaped bases tucked away in storage waiting for skirting to be made - they will adorn my dressing area in our new home, and in my Granddaughters room when she visits. Of the various tables I've had/have - the skirted one is my favourite.

lvroftiques said...

I love dressing tables! Even if I never actually put my makeup on in front of mine *winks* It's pretty just to look at. Thank you so much for including it (second from the top) I'm thrilled to be in such beautiful company! Vanna

vignette design said...

Oh my goodness Vanna! That photo has so inspired me. Didn't know it was yours. So beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration!

Tretswelt said...

..hei,es ist wunderschön diesen tische zu sehen...entzückend!Schöne woche wünsche ich dir.Bussi.Lu.

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Yes YES...I want a dressing table instead of my bathroom counter...I do have a demi-lune table with my bath oils and perfume bottles by the bath tub...it was my mom's and makes me happy.

Mary Ann Pickett said...

PS...it would be so fun to have all those pink roses like in the last photo on my own vanity.
www.classiccasualhome.com

Carol S. said...

Ohhhh, you got me thinking. I saw a picture of your client's vanity and then saw some other pictures with pretty oval framed mirrors. I have a very heavy one I picked up at a thrift store...and I think I will lean it up my bathroom corner vanity mirror that I use as a "vanity." Always enjoy your blog and beautiful photos.

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

I love the romance of a dressing table and just purchased one for my bedroom. I am in the process of painting all the furniture and giving the room a bit of a do over. I must get buzy at it.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog said...

I just love everything about this! It is so elegant! I didn't realize you were on Pinterest!!! How much I have been missing out on I am SURE! I just pulled up your page and will be digging through the boards soon to find lots of inspiration for my own home when I get married!

Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog

Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog said...

Oh wow! How unique and wonderful this looks! I love everything about it! I didn't realize you were on Pinterest! How much I have been missing OUT!!! I will be digging through your Pinterest boards soon to find inspiration for my own home when I get married soon!

Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog

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