Vanities enhance the beauty of your home

Legendary actress and world-class beauty Marlene Dietrich always applied her makeup (brilliantly, too, I might add) while standing in front of her bathroom mirror. But, for countless other women, being comfortably seated at a dressing table while going through their daily cosmetic ritual is certainly much more preferable.

The dressing or vanity table is such an essential piece of furniture to so many because, simply put, these women love to put on makeup. I surmise it's because seeing an enhanced vision of themselves helps to lift their spirits and them feel more comfortable (and desirable) before going out to face the world -- day or night. And what's more important than that?

The vanity table serves as a kind of sanctuary for a woman where she can feel free and at ease to play and experiment with all of the accessories that help to make her look more beautiful. In fact, in front of a makeup mirror, seated at her dressing table, a woman can literally become an artist. To wit, the psychological benefits are coupled with the beauty and overall appearance of the table itself (in most cases) thus making for an absolute win-win situation.

And that's why, as a designer, I love to have a client that appreciates the importance of a vanity table not only for her personal use, but as a vital element in the overall design scheme of her bedroom or bath. There are countless designs to choose from, depending on the space available, how the table is to be used and, of course, the style of the home. As a designer, I fully appreciate its importance to the lady of the house and often have great fun creating the perfect table to satisfy her specific needs of style, convenience, organization and comfort.

I've found that a good deal of the time many clients choose to customize and create their own personal vision of a dressing table, even though there are any number of sources to choose from that offer ready-made tables in virtually every style. And through this creative process, I've come up with several guidelines to be considered when either designing a table of your own or buying one from a reputable dealer.

Style: Probably the most important element to consider. Either built-in or stand-alone, both will function well. The built-in will no doubt save space, (as will a corner table), but the stand-alone is sure to add more character to your room no matter what the design. For a period and/or traditional look, an antique style table (whether genuine or simulated) will go far in helping to create a certain feeling of nostalgia and graciousness in your room. And today's smaller bedrooms are well-suited for the art deco style table that takes up less space. But whatever style you choose, be sure the table complements your bedroom's décor so that it appears to be a part of the overall design scheme and not out of place.

Mirror size: A large mirror will give the illusion of space to a small room. Choosing the right mirror will go a long way to adding character to your room. Also, try to have the mirror attached to the table as it's much safer and less prone to breakage, especially if small children are in your home.

Shape: Rectangular or kidney-shaped, but do make sure to make it a "kneehole table" that features a recessed center to accommodate the knees for the greatest comfort.

Finish: Wood, metal, acrylic or covered in fabric, which, by the way, may just be the most feminine of all styles. But, the skirted table isn't very practical as it will surely interfere with easy access to any drawers. In the case of the skirted table, efficiency will be sacrificed for aesthetics. But, it's your call. Vanity tables with a silver matte finish (which I'm currently completing for a client) are great for an elegant and upscale look. It's a sophisticated finish and will work especially well in a modern setting.

Lighting: Remember to position your table near an electric outlet so that you're able to install proper lighting, which is so absolutely essential when applying makeup. Obviously, it's de rigueur to see yourself properly in order to ensure the best outcome. This also will allow you to plug in other beauty aides such as a hair dryer, curling iron, etc. It's important to remember that lighting can make or break your table simply because it will affect how anybody will look. The most popular lights remain those often seen in the Hollywood films featuring a number of brightly lit bulbs surrounding the mirror.

The chair: This can also be a stool. It will often follow the exact design of the table -- but that is not a given. Whichever it is, the chair or stool should provide you with the greatest comfort and ease.

In a word, makeup tables are like a tonic for women of all ages and may just be one of the most important pieces of furniture they'll ever have in their bedroom, aside from their bed, of course. Sitting down in front of a vanity table and pampering yourself the way you want to is very much like a visit to a spa -- but without the hassle. It's the perfect place to "indulge your fancies and compose your soul."

Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design International; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to stephen@soleildesigninter
national.com.