Every little girl has dreamed of primping herself while seated at an elaborate dressing table.  We all remember the photographs of our favourite and not so favourite Hollywood divas, sitting on a leather stool at their vanity table - surrounded by a beautiful oval mirror, crystal perfume decanters, lights, long-handled sable make-up brushes and silver -handled hairbrushes.

I’m confident that many of us can remember spending time in front of our Grandmothers vanity table. I have many fond childhood memories of playing "grown up," putting on make-up at my grandma’s handsome vanity table. Who among us does not dream of having the time to indulge themselves with the luxury of sitting in front of a beautiful piece of furniture, preparing for a night on the town? Perhaps this is the reason why vanity tables are again back "en vogue."

Today, we enjoy the luxury of bigger bedrooms, bathroom and closets so furniture manufactures are giving us the opportunity to indulge our diva nature and enjoy the luxury of fixing our hair and applying make-up while seated at a vanity table instead of standing in front of the bathroom mirror.

Originally, dressing tables or vanities were a functional furniture item that was used to hold brushes, perfumes, wigs and make-up during the late 17th Century. During this era, both men and women used the tables, as bathroom counters were non-existent. Fitting a vanity table into our homes is just one of the more luxurious items we will be treating ourselves to this year. This year's biggest home fashion and design trend is all about comfort and pampering ourselves. A vanity table allows us to feel like a diva (at least for a few minutes a day) even while we perform the ultimate juggling act with children, a spouse and a career.

If you're planning a bathroom or master bedroom renovation this year, you may want to include space for such luxuries as a vanity table, steam room, whirlpool, heated towel bars or even a fish tank. The idea is to put more emphasis on our private spaces and to create luxurious and very self-indulgent rooms. Don't even think about feeling guilty - you deserve it!

If a renovation or complete room makeover is not in the budget, simply try to allocate a few feet of space along a wall or in the corner of the bedroom. Here you can convert an old sofa table, desk or vintage dressing table into a vanity table. Decorate the table with a vase of white, silk roses, a white pillar candle, framed photographs, a set of silver brushes and your favourite creams and perfumes. Reupholster a vintage stool or make a box from plywood and cover with leather-look-a-like vinyl, faux-mink fur or real fur bought from a thrift store.

Whenever I attend an estate, garage or flea market sale, I am always on the hunt for vintage perfume bottles, photograph frames and crystal decanters that can be used in the bath or on the vanity table. Tuck a few vintage photos in the mirror frame for a true diva feel.

Dressing at a beautiful vanity table is one fantasy we can make come true. There's a little diva in every woman, so indulge yourself.

Set aside a little space for luxury - one that's been designed to pamper both your body and spirit.

THIS AND THAT-CLUTTER THERAPY

Secret stashes- For attractive, hidden storage try a trunk or ottoman with a hinged lid in the family room. Arrange a set of small baskets or bins inside to house smaller items. It’s amazing the amount of items that can be stored here- no one will ever know!!

SCENTSATIONAL

Sri Lanka Citronella is a tall aromatic perennial grass native to Sri Lanka, now extensively cultivated on the southern most tip of the country. Other varieties are available from Vietnam, Africa, Argentina and Central America.

The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of the fresh or dried grass. The colour of the oil can range from colourless to pale yellow to a yellowy brown hue. The fresh, woody-sweet fragrance blends well with geranium, lemon, bergamot, orange,, cedar wood, and pine.

The most popular domestic use is when the citronella oil is mixed with cedar wood oil to help combat mosquitoes In addition, the oil is also good for combating headaches, migraines, and fatigue..

Cheryll Gillespie is a nationally syndicated Design and Décor columnist.