Source: PinterestĪlthough Hollywood photos depicted an elegant aura, a vanity should be functional above all. Notice both the vanity accessories (including a clock and hair brush) and the mirror top table. Greta Garbo in a scene for The Kiss (1929). If you already have a table or struggle finding the exact style you like, this approach may be considered since it focuses on geometric shapes and placement instead of antique furniture. This option is the most creative, giving you flexibility with its look and size. For example, my vanity stool is covered in red velvet. You can recover the seat for a distinct look. Any stool, such as silver or wood, will work. Handles can be replaced for glass knobs, geometric brass, ceramic patterned and solid metal such as silver. Fan shaped, triangle or rectangle with graduated side panel mirrors are also great choices. Large circle mirrors are easy to find and one of the quickest ways to evoke Art Deco over any vanity or dresser. Furniture illustrations of the period still survives and is online, which can help you see color combinations. If you enjoy sewing, a vanity table skirt in a single length or tiered layers–think Jean Harlow in Dinner at Eight (1932), is another option.

A single level wood, mirror top, white or black table are ideal choices. Many furniture stores sell tables for this purpose, including mirror tops and a central table top between two connected cabinets. Source: InstagramĪ modern table can be revamped with Art Deco elements. Note both the mirror hanging above the table and the table skirt. Giving a Modern Table a Vintage TwistĬarole Lombard in her dressing room with hairstylist Loretta Francell, circa 1939. Antique shops, estate or garage sales, Craigslist (which is where I found mine), and secondhand stores are the best places to shop. Know your budget beforehand since prices vary. Measure your space first, because these vanities can be bulky depending on their style. This is the most authentic way to achieve a 1920s/30s style vanity, but also takes a sharp eye. One of the most elegant styles was a descending curve from the mirror that acted as both a short side shelf and had a permanently connected stool. Vanities with cabinets might be textured (see photo above), while others had a built in drawer on the table or two sets of drawers/shelves under the table.

Others were oval, such as from curved sided drawers. Tables varied in shapes and occasionally were mirror topped.

Seats were often stools, sometimes with a short back, although some vanities had chairs. Generally mirrors were centered, especially round and rectangular shapes, while others extended the entire length of the vanity. Some styles had scalloped edges or geometric cuts, such as a narrow and tall diamond shape. Round was a common mirror shape, as was rectangle, square or oval. Most vanities had a single mirror, others were trifold. Lacquered wood and chrome were also common materials. Source: PinterestĪ genuine Art Deco vanity can be of durable wood like walnut or two tone maple, and feature details such as inlays of zebra wood. Betty Compson seated by an Art Deco vanity, circa late 1920s.

1920s hand mirror