Christmas Inspiration: Dressing or Vanity Table

Hi ladies,

If you still don't know what you want for Christmas let me give you some inspiration providing the giver has a nice high budget of around £300!

I'm pretty sure most girls like myself fawned over their mother's dressing table filled with lotions and potions when younger. I remember my mum had a dressing table and she used to do my hair when I was little girl. It was a treat! My mum wore makeup only on special occasions (i.e. weddings) and once I played with her only lipstick but put the lid back on forgetting to twist the bullet back down thus destroying her lipstick! I got in big trouble!

I always wanted a beautiful shabby chic or french dressing table of my own when I had my own place. I looked in stores and all through the internet to find my dream one. Although the white shabby chic dressing tables were beautiful (and more easily available) I knew that white was a no go with makeup. I used to do my makeup on my desk and black waterproof mascara doesn't come off easily. So I knew it had to be a black dressing table. It would also match the colour scheme for the bedroom.

My dressing table was from Home Direct 365.

I was cautious of ordering furniture off a website as I couldn't check the quality until it arrived so it was a bit of a gamble. The testimonials on the website are all 5 stars and it was difficult to find genuine reviews. But if you search online there are quite a number of reviews of how bad the customer service is. I was worried but the price was good and I prayed I would be a lucky one.

My dressing table is the Black Antique French Dressing Table Set which cost £279.99 plus £29.99 postage. There are other tables that are cheaper or more expensive depending on the design you like. Mines comes with a stool.

I was told the item was in stock and I would be contacted within a week on delivery times. They were true to their word and a date was agreed - four weeks after I first ordered. This is reasonable and considered quick for furniture as it can take normally 6-8 weeks or longer.

I was gutted when my table arrived with a white scratch on it and the part on the mirror was loose.

I contacted them about my complaint and they offered to replace it or give me a £50 discount. In the end I decided to go for the £50 discount as I couldn't be bothered going through the hassle of taking a day off to wait all day for delivery! Also re-packing the table would have been a challenge! Plus the damage is not as bad as it looks in the flash photo!

The table is a bit wobble but it does sit on a carpet. It's wobbly as in it shakes easily if you walk past it so it could be more stable. I don't know if most dressing tables are like this? The stool is so lovely though!

There are 3 drawers and two smaller ones on the table top. The mirror just sits on the table and isn't secure but I've not had problems with it falling off or anything! The drawers could be designed better as there is no 'hinge' so it slides right out and tilts at an angle when open as there isn't anything to support it. I wake my boyfriend up in the mornings with the loud clanking of the drawers! But you get used to it.

My Anna Sui inspired mirrors that I bought ages ago in Hong Kong now match perfectly.

I'd recommend Home Direct 365 despite the fault with my item and they offered me options. Although their customer service could be improved greatly (not that it was bad but it could be much friendlier...I felt they were very blunt and straight to the point on the phone and in emails - I like cheery staff).

You should check out their website as there there are a wide range of furniture for all rooms in your house and some are so beautiful! I wish I had the money to buy all the beautiful pieces. They are generally cheaper than other sites I've looked at for similar styles.

If this is over-budget then the MAC Holiday Collection has a range of goodies - suitable for a lower budget!