skip to main content

Antiques & Collectibles

Vanity and Dresser Set. Any ideas on age, style?

8 years ago

I bought this set to paint but am wondering what the age/style might be. It's been previously painted so I am not worried about ruining the finish. They are definitely hardwood because they are heavier than anything. There is a vanity, tall boy, low boy and 2 huge 6 sides mirrors.

I am thinking this might be art deco but I don't know much about furniture. It is a set from the great grandmother of someone my age (early 30s) so I am thinking it's from the 20's or 30's. I haven't been able to find anything like it through Google searches...all of the desks and vanities seem to be waterfall style. Any thoughts?

I am getting into old furniture as a cheap way to have inexpensive high quality furniture but I find myself really interested in learning more about it. Might have found a new hobby. Everyone was so helpful on my last post I thought I would ask again.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

lindac92
8 years ago
I think that's a very very nice set from about 1920....looks like very nice quality. And it doesn't appear to have been painted but rather looks like it has an opaque finish. I sure wouldn't paint it....but would try to touch up the finish. If you paint it, you will just have an "early attic" sort of set.....not a nice retro bedroom suite
natalieinitaly thanked lindac92
lazy_gardens
8 years ago
Slightly art deco influenced ... I like it!

Often manufacturers would take a basic furniture style and pimp it up with some details and trim from the currently trendy fads. If you look at the feet of the vanity, it's the basic shaped block feet you see on more traditional styles.
natalieinitaly thanked lazy_gardens
Related Discussions
Information about this vanity and dresser please
Q
Comments (9)
Absolutely beautiful! I've never seen a dresser quite like it, but the vanity 'style' is a bit more 'common', although with the parquetry, something i've not seen before either. I also think 30's or 40's. While the handles are Federal style, I wouldn't consider the furniture itself necessarily so.
...See More
How do you keep your style young as you age?
Q
Comments (37)
loribee, I finally got a chance to snap and upload some living room photos. Here is the after, which I just love: In the second photo, the Pier One table has the small lamp and Jerusalem Pottery on it. That, and the sofa pillows and rug are the only purchase I made. (sorry I didn't straighten up the throw pillows before taking the picture,) I am not going to "stick" something on the wall over the table. I am going to look over the next year or 2 and try to find something, maybe on vacation next year. Good news is the old boiler thermostat was there. Last year we put in new AC, and they moved all the controls upstairs. So I finally got to yank off and patch the wall where that was. It drove me crazy trying to hide it with something. I couldn't find any good pictures of the before. But before the TV was where the Pier One table is now. So the sofa was between the 2 french doors (and it was too long to look good there). And the leather club chairs and ottomon were on the front window wall. Very awkward to watch TV, because you were not facing it, and had to turn your head. It was hard to see the fireplace, and the room was lined up like a bowling alley. And it had a very large very burgundy rug that just sucked up the light from the north-facing room with 1 window. I honestly can't believe that this looks and feels and functions so much better just by making these small changes. And in case anyones is wondering, the cabinet holding the TV is a sideboard. We removed the lower drawer, drilled a hole through the back for cords, and put the cable box and internet through there.
...See More
Need help determining approx AGE & VALUE of Mirror and 2 Dressers
Q
Comments (12)
lindac92 Thanks so much for even more info. You've been very helpful. 1860's, eh? That is a bit older than I thought. That'd be wonderful if it was still on casters! It's heavy. With regards to white dresser, are you saying then that's it's from the 1940's? My mom was born in '44. Yes, looking at the back it's obvious it's from much later than the other dresser. Just wasn't sure if it was from 1940's or before. But yeah, the back piece is plywood, so that certainly should have been an indication. Just wasn't sure if it might have been a repair job. But since the rest is in such good shape, that was a silly idea, in retrospect. But it is a sturdy little thing, and I'm thinking hard wood. You've been so wonderful, I can't thank you enough. But if may ask....I notice you didn't include any opinion on the value of any of these pieces. Are you able to give me any ideas in that regard? Even a ballpark would be wonderful.
...See More
Would love any info about style and age of corner wardrobe
Q
Comments (20)
tara, I will make picture soon as I can. I need to go in there to look but I believe the motif on slanted front sides is a vine and berry arrangement and inside, there was a hanging rod, shelf at top plus little holders on door. Closet sounds right!
...See More
natalieinitaly
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks. It is a really nice set and amazing quality. The vanity is pretty tiny but it takes two people to move it. Besides a little chip in the styling at the front the vanity there is no damage to this set. I picked all 5 pieces up from a local women for $120 which seemed like a steal (considering I could only get a pressed board or crappy cheap pine dresser new for that).

I thought it was art deco influenced based on the designs but am new at this.
bungalowmo
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I like it a lot!! My mom had a mirror like that for years hanging in our living room. When the light hit those beveled edges just a certain way, it had a rainbow effect. I know leaded glass will do this, but never heard of a leaded mirror! Also...the mirror we had was pretty heavy too & had a wood back on it with 4 clamp-like things holding the wood to the mirror.
lindac92
8 years ago
It's not the lead in the glass that makes it act as a prism and cast a rainbow into the room, but the beveled edge on the glass. And when you say "leaded glass" we are describing that lead between the pieces of glass, like is found in stained glass. Very different from "lead crystal".

Related Stories

MODERN STYLE Out-of-This-World Decorating: Space Age Style for Today

Set starbursts and more around your personal universe for a look alight with imagination

BATHROOM VANITIES Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths

By Susan Mathison

Turn an old table, desk or dresser into a bathroom vanity with a character all its own

UNIVERSAL DESIGN 12 Must-Haves for Aging in Place

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

Design a home that will continue to be accessible, safe and stylish as the years go by

UNIVERSAL DESIGN 11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom

Learn how to create a safe and accessible bathroom without sacrificing style

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Ways to Design a Kitchen for Aging in Place

Design choices that prevent stooping, reaching and falling help keep the space safe and accessible as you get older

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: New Shingle-Style Home Doesn’t Reveal Its Age

By Becky Harris

Meticulous attention to period details makes this grand shorefront home look like it’s been perched here for a century

LIFE Reluctant DIYer’s Diary of a Dresser Makeover

By Becky Harris

Weekend project: Glossy new black-and-white dresser, hold the sandpaper

DECORATING GUIDES Decorating With Antiques: Chests, Dressers and Buffets

By Mike Dietrich

Pretty, practical and versatile, antique chests add history and character along with storage

DIY PROJECTS Make Your Own Barn-Style Door — in Any Size You Need

By No. 29 Design

Low ceilings or odd-size doorways are no problem when you fashion a barn door from exterior siding and a closet track

CURB APPEAL Entry Recipe: Contemporary Farmhouse Style in a Suburban Setting

By Annie Thornton

This new build sets a neighborly tone with a front-yard patio and an exterior created in scale with other houses on the street

Sponsored

Mosaic Design Studio

Creating Thoughtful, Livable Spaces For You in Franklin County

More Discussions

Pattern ID Help - Limoges - Vignaud - Haviland?

3

Any rug experts out there? I'd love to have some info on THIS rug.

13

Pottery found at thrift store

1

Chest of drawers repair

8