Tempting Trays

Containment .... the action of keeping something under control or within limits.

 I'm not talking about terrorists here or even teenagers  ..... just the stuff that accumulates on coffee tables or dressing tables or any other surface in the home. This is where the humble tray comes in handy. 

The selection of decorative and practical  items that adorn our coffee tables look so much more attractive and less haphazard when placed on a pretty tray.

 A drinks tray can be both stylish and functional. It could be an antique silver tray holding your vintage decanters or a more contemporary tray holding bottles, glasses, ice bucket and lemons for when you are entertaining.

 

Great styling by Mary Ann from Classic Casual Home

Another area where trays can be very useful is on a dressing table or bathroom vanity. Perfect for keeping those everyday make up items, perfumes, jewelry and toiletries corralled in an attractive way.

 And finally, a beautiful tray on a kitchen counter or island can turn your utensil storage into a gorgeous still life.

 

Now that you are convinced that you need to get yourself a couple of pretty trays, you need look no further than NetDécor for an excellent selection in different materials, shapes and sizes. Here is a small sample....



And you can choose your favourites from the comfort of your home.

So don't delay, visit   NetDécor   now.

  Till next time

Sharon x

Image source:

1. MJ Designs Florida, 2. Jessie Miller, 3. K Sarah Designs, 4. Stone Gable, 5. Home Interior Design Info, 6. Venturanaba.com 7. Emily A Clark, 8. Anything Savvy and Chic, 9. Classic Casual Home 10. Lonny, 11. Delight by Design, 12. Laura Casey Interiors 13. Pink Bow.net 14. House Beautiful, 15 Pinterest, 16 Nell Hill's Blog 17. The Old Painted Cottage 18. For the Love of a House

DRESSING TABLES - Indulgent or Indispendable

A dressing table adds a touch of romance and glamor to any woman’s bedroom. These pieces of furniture are coming back into fashion as women seek more elegance in their lives. Akiko Busch, in her book "Geography of Home" refers to a dressing table as "a place to indulge one's fancies and compose one's soul." 

Dressing tables originated in 18th century France. They were called ‘toilette’ or ‘toilet tables’ because women used to wrap their cosmetic items in a small, square linen cloth (the toilette) before they put them in a chest.

Although very popular in Victorian times and in the early nineteenth century, vanities went out of fashion somewhat in the somewhat tasteless nineteen-seventies because of the emphasis on minimalism and practicality.

There are many different types of dressing tables to choose from when decorating a bedroom. Large, draped, kidney-shaped tables are very luxurious and can look wonderful in the right setting. Antique Victorian or French tables are very popular at present. Some have elaborate mirrors and beautiful carvings. A simple table with a standing mirror can do the job equally well. 

The mirror is probably the most important part of their dressing-table and good lighting is useful to prevent make-up faux pas! 

A dressing table is often a highly personal place where special cards, photographs and other treasured momentoes are kept.

I love this image mostly for the beautiful reflection in the mirror - is it Paris, do you think?

 

This kidney shaped, skirted dressing table was very popular when I was a young girl. I think it was called a "Dolly Varden" My mother had one and I remember a drama when she had just had it recovered and my sister spilled a whole bottle of nail polish over it! My mom walked in and found my sister on her knees praying at the side of the bed! :) I can't remember if the prayers helped or not.

If your bathroom is large enough, you can always place your dressing table there.

 

A mirrored tray holds perfume bottles and flowers.

A tray filled with pretty containers is used to organise make up brushes and other beauty paraphenalia.



Vintage silverware is beautiful on a  dressing table.

 

I love a dressing table and have had one in my bedroom since I was a child. I like the ritual of  sitting there in the mornings before I face the world or getting ready for a night out. Are you in favour of a dressing table, or do you just do your titivating in the bathroom mirror like many of my friends?

Till next time

Sharon x

Images: 1. Eclectic Revisited 2. Google  3. Design Chic   4. Belclaire House  5. Style Handler  6. Coastal Living 7. Laura Casey Interiors  8. Let your Creativity Flow   9. Country Living   10.  Google  11. Martha Stewart  12. Pinterest  13. Shades of Grey  14. The Ardent Sparrow  15.  Google   16. Google   17. Tumblr   18. Tumblr  19. Tumblr  20. Honeycomb Creative co 21. Tumblr  22.  Google  23. Tumblr