As though it was yesterday, I can remember my childhood fascination with my grandmother's dresser. Tiers of perfume bottles, powder jars, tubes of lipstick, music boxes... It was just covered with girlish wonders. These days I'm torn between having a vanity area full of pretty things, or keeping things nice, clean, and minimal.
As time has gone by, I've realized that I do need containers on my dresser to corral those pesky items that litter the surface, such as bobby pins, hair ties, and brooches- basically, the things I like to keep handy for daily use. Other less used items, like bow ties or nail polish make their way into drawers.
Let's face it, some of us require less maintenance than others. If you're a comb-and-go type of guy, your dresser could get away with being squeaky clean. But if you're a full face of makeup kind of person, your dresser might look more like my grandmother's did back in the day. So how about you? How do you like to keep your dresser?
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I covet vanity tables. I had one growing up as a child, and never used it at all- even through my attempts at putting on makeup. Now, however, I would really love one to use daily for an easier time with makeup, instead of leaning over the bathroom counter while I stab at my eyelashes with mascara.
I love the covering on the first picture, and if I could paint my bedroom it would either be that exact shade of red or a really deep aubergine.
I actually inherited my great grandma's vanity. So I have part of the look but what I keep on it is very modern.
On top of the vanity there's a ring holder - which usually holds my wedding rings, and a few stud earrings that I wear daily. I also have a glass tree - which I didn't plan for this to happen but it often holds dangly earrings for daily wear. I used to have a basket that I corralled any random daily makeup and brushes in - but I used it in my wedding decor a few months ago and it went missing. I am still looking for something new to use to do that.
Setting up against the back of the vanity propped on the wall is my shameful collection of Too Faced and Urban Decay makeup collections - they don't fit in the tiny vintage drawers. A few daily wear perfumes sit on the top of the vanity as well - since I wouldn't wear them if I tucked them away. Mostly everything else - hair ties, brushes, combs, hair pins, lipsticks, nail polish, etc. are tucked away in the drawers.
I'm a kind of high maintenance girl though. There is definitely no room for any pretty containers on the precious vanity space.
Yes it is one of the few areas of the home that look prettier with a bit of 'clutter'!
Everyone looks great in reflected light from those coral toned walls :)
I received an antique vanity from my firend as a housewarming gift. Since I do my make-up and hair in the bathroom it was always neglected.
A few weeks ago I got the crazy idea to turn it into a cocktail/wine bar. The drawers and cubbies are perfect for wine and cocktail tools. The bottom is perfect for the 12-bottle mini-wine rack that was in a random spot in the dining room.
It now has a new life and new attention in my living room.
I think it's great, but a vanity without a mirror seems odd to me, doesn't it ?
I love the "stuff", the only one I don't like is the minimalist one. The combs bottles and "stuff" definitely have a romantic, lived in look that is beautiful!
@ mtlyorel
Misogynist much?
hmmm, how vain can you be at a vanity without a mirror? isn't it just a dresser then?
I had a really girly vanity set-up, and I loved using it. It was really just an ikea wall mirror, chair and desk with a cover I sewed.
Messy? Probably, but in a convenient sort of way. I put my ipod speakers and coffee on it and always felt more relaxed sitting there rather than standing at the sink. For me, having my own space (and letting my husband take over the bathroom;) made getting ready at a leisurely pace easier to accomplish.
Growing up, I would use my dresser as my vanity area and cover it with the typical items. Now though, I like to store these items so there is less clutter: jewelry, perfumes, and lotions are organized in a drawer; makeup is stored in a container in a closet where it's safe from the light and heat. I just bring it out to a mirror when needed.
I like a large variety of scents, accessories and cosmetics, so I prefer to keep them stowed away & out of sight... plus it makes for a more relaxing bedroom, which is important to me.
AConleyCreation.com
The people who rented my apartment before me left an Ikea vanity table thing in the bedroom. On its own, it's kind of hideous, but I've come to like doing my makeup in the bedroom instead of the bathroom. (Also, my husband doesn't complain about the piles of makeup stashed around the bathroom anymore, because it's stuffed in vanity drawers).
I intend to duplicate the set-up when I move someplace more permanent. I think "cheap boudoir of an over-the-hill stripper" is my goal for the project.
My dresser resembles the first picture in just the essentials out - but minus all the tacky trendy stuff.
My vanity is girly but everything is contained, my favorite thing is using vintage teacups to hold bracelets, lip gloss, pins, each in their own.
I totally agree emycv. What is the point? Unless you are a male I guess.
I scored a brass and mirrored vanity tray for $5.00 from my local goodwill store, as well as a small (but perfect for my small apartment) oak vanity from the 60's. I think I paid $20.00 for it. It needs the drawer fixed but it still doesn't stop me from piling my girlie crap atop of its surface. My daughter is often found perusing whatever trinkets and cosmetics may be strewn about. I love watching her apply my lipstick and pucker up as she admires herself in the mirror. Oh, to be young again!