I fell in love with the most beautiful compact vanity table, but its $500 price tag was FAR too high to consider. And it would have stuck into the room by a full 18", which would have been a daily tripping hazard for clumsy little me. I must have hunted Pinterest for two full years, combing through ideas for everything from an upcycled vintage suitcase, to a bookcase. I knew what I needed, but couldn't find anything quite right. This space needed to house all of my makeup, a lighted magnifying mirror, my contact lens supplies, and everything from my hairbrush and perfume, to barrettes and jewelry. Everything needed to be close at hand, neatly organized... and of course, I wanted it to be pretty.
A chance find while hunting for tea storage was the perfect beginning. I found a pair of shelves, each one only 12.5" long, on sale for $18. They're tiny, but well made. And since they only come out 5" from the wall, they're not in the way at all!
My mirror tilts, and I hung the shelves just high enough so it can be used either sitting or standing... which comes in handy for quick contact fixes, as well as attempting to apply eye-shadow without stabbing myself. (I am NOT coordinated in the LEAST when it comes to makeup!) The top two drawers hold moisturizers, lip balms, and makeup, while the bottom three are for all of my jewelry and hair accessories. I chose a tree to keep my necklaces from tangling, and to add sparkle. The itty bitty stool opens to hold my finger splints, lotion, eye-care, detangling spray, and various other things that are needed, but don't quite fit within the tiny drawers. Once everything was in place, I I surrounded the shelves with tiny sparkly picture frames, for photos of the strong women from my family.
This tiny space is now one of my happy places. I may not spend long here, but it's used every day, and the photos make me smile every time I pass by.
