Create an Easy, Romantic Dressing Table – Sewing Machines Los Angeles

My dressing room has always been my special place and I’ve not lived in a home where I didn’t have at least a “space” for my vanity since I moved away from home at the tender age of 17. It’s a space to call my own, to put on my make-up, write in my diary and do my nails.

The vanity I have now is an antique with stylish Queen Anne legs, a beveled glass top, lots of drawer space and came complete with lights surrounding the attached mirror. But before this antique beauty came in to my life, I had to create one. Here’s how you can make one for yourself with little effort. Not only are the results beautiful, but you will be creating a special place to call your own.

Any table of comfortable height can be used as a vanity. I used a card table for the last home made vanity I created.

If the top is worn, sand and paint or re-stain and varnish it, or cover the top with dark glass that has been cut to the same size as your table top.

Add together the measurement in inches of both sides and the front of your table (do not include the back side of the table as this will be placed against the wall).

Buy material in a pattern and color that will coordinate with your room decor and in a width that will reach from the vanity top to the floor including a 1″ hem on top and bottom edges. Its length should double the circumference of the tables 3 sides.

When you hem the top edge of the material, run a gather stitch from end to end and gently gather the material, spacing the gathering evenly, until you have reached the measurement of the front and sides of your table (one half of the length of the material).

Velcro(TM) is wonderful stuff that I use often. I keep rolls of it in different widths for various projects that I encounter. You can find it at the fabric store. Purchase a length that matches the measurement of the combined total of the front and sides of your table. Choose the “peel and stick” variety of Velcro(TM) to save lots of time and work later!

Apply one piece of the Velcro(TM) to the front and side edges of your vanity table.

Sew the opposite Velcro(TM) strip to the back side of the top edge of your material skirt and stick the skirt to the Velcro(TM) that you have attached to the table.

You now have a beautiful, gathered skirt to your vanity.

Place the vanity against the wall and hang a large mirror on the wall just above it.

Two small lamps placed on either side of the mirror will give you plenty of light to do your makeup and hair each day.

A comfy stool or small swivel chair will complete the picture and would be perfect if you also re-covered the seat in the same material. If you don’t already own a stool, simply peruse the thrift stores until you find one that will work for you.

Small storage chests with drawers (either plastic or wood) can be placed under each end of the table to hold make up and hair accessories and will remain out of sight yet easily accessible.

Now, top it off by adding your favorite perfume bottles to the table, a hand mirror and decorative stationary for letter writing (you do still do that on occasion don’t you?). Not only do you now have a personal space for doing hair and make up, but you have added a lovely piece of furniture to your bedroom as well. And you did it yourself!

If you think this is a great idea for yourself, consider doing the same for your young daughter. This is a gift that she will thank you for. Especially since she will feel you have recognized her special need for a lovely place of her own.

© Victoria Larsen 2009. All Rights Reserved