Thought of as chintzy for years, a new crop of sleek, stylish dressing tables is on the market.
For years it has been firmly off the interiors wish-list, a piece of furniture that was associated with grannies and chintz. But the dressing table is having a moment, with leading designers creating sleek modern versions and the high-street following with their own take.
Perhaps it’s the popularity of the boutique hotel bedroom or the rediscovery of classic dressing table designs from the likes of Ercol… or maybe we’re just all admitting that make-up looks better when it’s not applied on the run. Whatever the reasons, investing in a smart little dressing table is this season’s easy way to make your bedroom over into a chic and sexy boudoir.
Image: Habitat
We first saw the trend emerging at the 2014 Milan Design Fair, where high-end furniture specialists Se showed a stunningly glamorous contemporary take on the dressing table, complete with a dramatic angled mirror. This was the first time the brand had commissioned a female designer – Nika Zupanc – to create a range of furniture, and this piece introduced a lovely element of feminine delicacy to the collection.
Image: Furniture Village
Back in London celebrated designer Bethan Gray has also created an elegant version of the dressing table for the John Lewis Design Collective, premiered at London Design Week in the autumn. Gray’s design is typical of the new breed of dressing table. The trend is for pale wood or white lacquer, ideal for creating a fresh, feminine feel. Gray’s model also features a marble top, offering a cool and very hardwearing surface for storing your make-up on.
Image: Marks & Spencer
The shapes are important too – a dressing table, unlike a desk, doesn’t need to be huge to show off your status. Rather it’s a discreet but practical space that won’t dominate your room. The current crop have slim legs and unfussy Mid-century Modern styling. Look out for storage drawers below – or in the case of Habitat’s version, alongside. A touch of glamour is also a must – we love the copper details on drawer handles on Marks & Spencer’s version. Most important of all though is the mirror – a large round mirror will gleam like a gem and frame your face perfectly while you indulge in your morning routine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]