Take A Seat
The Art of Decorating a Vanity
I’ve always been someone who needs to sit down to do my makeup. No matter where I’ve lived (dorm rooms, DC apartments, a NYC shoebox) I’ve always carved out space for a vanity. It’s the one place that helps me feel put together, whether I’m starting the day or getting ready for a night out.
A Vanity is What You Make It
Not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated vanity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create one. Over the years, mine has taken many forms:
A bathroom counter carefully styled to avoid clutter
A small tray on a dresser with your everyday basics
Or as I have it now, a vintage desk that doubles as a workspace.
Wherever it is, the key to making it feel intentional is having the right pieces—because nothing ruins a vanity faster than clutter.
The Right Pieces for the Puzzle
To keep your vanity both functional and beautiful, a few essentials make all the difference:
A beautiful table and a seat that fits - the furniture aspect of this would probably need to be a separate post ??? Who knew Substack would have a word/picture limit.
Pretty perfumes - Now this is where you can get creative. Find beautiful vintage perfume bottles and make a *tight* assortment. My signature is Tuberose Gardenia from Aerin but have also been loving her day and night scents.
Trays – Small dishes for jewelry, perfume, lotions, or even a chic catchall to keep things tidy.
In the silvery category we have these beauties that are so good. Any silver plated vintage style is perfect like this, this, and this.
Moving on to gold we have a mirrored tray with twisted metal handles, a round footed tray, a gold bamboo mirrored vanity tray, and a simple yet beautiful gold tray.
Last category is anything from The Lacquer Company. Especially if you want a fun color or a simple black.
Organizers - but make it chic.
I love to keep my daily meds in order with a Mother of Pearl Pill Box, or this, or this. Even better is this Antique Silver Plated Tiffany & Co Dish. Or you can personalize them to your liking here.
Making pretty dishes as a way to keep hairstyles, lipsticks, etc. organized makes all the difference. For example, this vintage silver plated scalloped footed tray is perfect. This one might be unnecessary but I just love it.
Using vintage casket boxes are perfect to keep cottons pads, Q-Tips, or any other necessity still looking beautiful on your vanity. I have been eyeing a few expensive but GORG pieces on Etsy (Baccarat Style Cut Crystal Dresser Casket Box and
Pretty but practical storage – I keep a pretty basket under my vanity to hold hairdryer, makeup bag, etc. You can go any direction with a basket but make sure it is structure (always looks nicer). Like this, this or this one. I also always keep empty candles to hold hair or makeup brushes and lipstick.
And on that note, here are a few of my fav makeup bags: a white monogrammed bag, I keep this one in my purse, or this classic one that will never go out of style imo.
Aesthetic products - A quick roundup of a few favorites: La Creme Main Nourish, Victoria Beckham posh gloss, N°1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek, Lelet pony
A good mirror – big, small, hanging, handheld or a lowboy… doesn’t matter what type of mirror (and you are not limited to only one) just make it pretty!
I found a few that can sit on your vanity (hopefully you like gold because thats really all I go for these days) for you here, here and here. Like I said, you could go handheld if you are tight on space. Or try a different shape with this and this. And lastly, if you are really wanting to splurge check out beauty #1 and beauty #2.
—> A side note here: I love a mirror as a piece of art and hanging above your vanity (you could have a more modern desk with an antique-style mirror, etc.) I could go on forever about this but everyone has their own style so just going to list a few instead.
On the lighter side (talking about your wallet) look at Aged Gold Wall Mirror, Rosamund Mirror, and then I would spray paint this black.
Slightly more expensive but still a great price I am loving a trumeau mirror, this Wall Mirror with Greek Key Design, the Sasha Powder Room Mirror, San Marco Vertical Mirror, and lastly this Antique Gold Wall Mirror
Just flat out more expensive - I love this Celerie Kemble Burnished Gold Leaf Mirror Framed Wall Mirror, the Lanier Mirror, and Clarence Mirror. Also love this Bowie Beveled Mirror and this Elegant Large Ebonized Wood Faux Bamboo Mirror by John Widdicomb. Anything from The Well Appointed House like this Hand Carved Burnished Gold Leaf Finish Framed Wall Mirror and this Gold Leaf Bamboo Inspired Wall Mirror. Last two are this Antiqued Mirror and this Greek Key Pattern Black and White Bone Inlay Mosaic Wall Mirror
And if you are really ready to spend a good bit…. these are just stunning: Gold Leaf Reeded Framed Mirror with Square Rosettes, Silver Gilt Bamboo Trumeau Mirror. some products that have helped elevate my vanity
Ok, thats all for now! Good luck and happy styling! xx