The 10 Most Dazzling Dressing Tables

When it comes to choosing the perfect vanity, Nancy Corzine and Jan Showers agree that practicality is the secret to looking good

Written by Samuel Cochran • Photographed by William A. Boyd Jr.
Produced By Alison Hall

Hair and makeup: Maysoon Faraj for Yves Durif Salon
Interior designers Jan Showers (left) and Nancy Corzine flank a vanity and mirror by Lillian August for Drexel Heritage.

In this era of reality television, it seems as if everyone has an opportunity to bask in the spotlight. Still, before one bares body and soul on prime time, it might be wise to consider an alternate (and less humiliation-prone) route to Hollywood glamour: the dressing table. This Tinseltown staple offers a swell spot for powdering your nose, coiffing your curls, and embracing your inner Harlow.

The dressing table—a.k.a. vanity, for obvious reasons, or poudreuse, from the French word for powder—became popular at the end of the 17th century as a comfortable stage for donning rouge and jewelry. "There’s nothing more feminine," says designer Nancy Corzine, whose own vanity holds vintage perfume bottles that belonged to Bette Davis. What sets them apart from ordinary tables, however, are practical features such as drawers, adjustable mirrors, and wipe-clean surfaces that resist stains and spills. “I certainly know what happens at a dressing table,” assures decorator Jan Showers, who gets ready at a 1940s French version and is well aware of the damage that can occur when your signature scent makes an unexpected splash. Here are ten examples guaranteed to keep you looking your best.

The opinions featured are those of ELLE DECOR’s guest experts and do not necessarily represent those of the editors. All measurements, delivery times, and prices are approximate.

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