YOUR OWN VANITY LAIR
Glam rooms and spaces find their way into homes large and small
In our increasingly image-obsessed times, dressing rooms and vanity areas are topping the wish lists of high-end property hunters.
Developers in the luxury sector are installing glam rooms as standard, attempting to outdo each other with lustrous fixtures and fittings.
At a redeveloped townhouse by Residence One, a dressing area is concealed behind a plush silk headboard in the master suite.
The oak wardrobes feature bevelled mirror panels and alcoves for shoes, ties and accessories.
Other dressing-room designs are less discreet. Hill House Interiors recently installed an entirely mirrored dressing room for a client, inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.
“Dressing rooms have become a ubiquitous feature in luxury homes,” says Hamish Brown of the design firm 1508 London. “If a property is big enough, clients will take dressing rooms to the extreme — specifying nail and hair salons, treatment rooms or even full spas.”
The 1508 team also designs elaborate handbag and shoe display cabinets, and often employs Hollywood-style open shelves.
“Clients like their dressing rooms to have a boutique feel, with items neatly displayed and welllit,” Brown says. “It means getting dressed isn’t a chore every morning, but an exciting way to start the day. People see their clothes and accessories as things of beauty, and want to display them, rather than hide them away.”
In smaller properties, Brown has employed innovative solutions, such as a basement, vacuumsealed unit where seasonal clothes and accessories can be kept.
Those of us who don’t have huge amounts of space and cash to spare can still have a smart dressing area with a little planning.
“Consider your wardrobe, and the various types of hanging space — short, medium, long — and how much of each you require,” says Helen Reekes, creative director at Neville Johnson.
“Many people underestimate the total amount of space required and don’t allow enough height for double hanging, which is a great space-saver.”
According to Reekes, pale grey cabinet finishes are currently the most popular, providing an elegant, neutral backdrop for pops of vibrant colour.
“Real-wood veneers always add a sense of luxury, as do velvet drawer inlays and plush carpet,” she adds. “We often line drawers with Cedar of Lebanon, which smells wonderful and repels moths.”
Jordan Cluroe, an interior designer for 2 Lovely Gays, specializes in colourful, contemporary homes “for real people,” with plenty of smart storage.
“A lot of our clients really want a dressing room, but struggle with the idea of sacrificing a spare bedroom and potentially affecting the value of their property,” says Cluroe. “But we believe in living in the space you have, rather than thinking about future profit. If it’s done in the right way, a dressing room can actually add value. People buy into the lifestyle.”
He suggests making the space multi-functional by adding a sofa bed for guests or buying a dressing table that can double as a desk if you work from home.
To integrate a dressing area into a bedroom, he suggests creating a curtained nook behind a bed.
“Removing bulky wardrobes and chairs piled high with clothes from a master bedroom will make it look bigger and feel calmer,” he adds.
“We are currently working on a vanity box in a bedroom and taking advantage of high ceilings to put a bed on top of it. It’s basically a room within a room.”
Cluroe favours open storage (“it encourages you to rotate your clothes more often”), and suggests arranging clothes by type and colour to keep things looking tidy.
He also recommends installing a ceiling-height fitted mirror to create the illusion of more space.
Spotlights provide targeted lighting and Cluroe uses pendant lights “like sculptural jewelry” in a room.
“Good lighting in a dressing room is crucial, as it is where you try clothes on and assess an overall look,” agrees Sanjit Bahra, director of the lighting specialists Design Plus Light. “While properly positioned downlights provide a focus on the cabinetry, we also like to bring diffuse light into the space to give a flattering light when looking into mirrors.”
Most importantly, Bahra ensures that any dressing tables have “good facial light” by way of table lamps and mirror lights, so that clients can check hair and makeup before they leave the house.
After all, having a well-appointed dressing room is all about ensuring you are ready to put your best face forward to the world.