Hands up, who owns a dressing table? Beautiful though they are, they've sort of been relegated out of sight in a world of sleek hidden storage and minimal Scandinavian styling. 

But, there was a time when the vanity unit reigned supreme. Hollywood actresses like Carole Lombard and Janet Gaynor spent hours languishing in front of their polished walnut castles bedecked with a variety of bone-handled brushes and general beauty objet d'art. Most mums had one too and it was usually a convenient height for miniature hands to rifle through its contents of perfumed talc, Avon compacts and Max Factor lipsticks. 

If we lived in a mansion or a posh hotel, we'd definitely reinstate the dressing table (they thrive in grand surroundings) and this would be our first port of call for inspiration. From Marilyn Monroe to Carrie Bradshaw, here's our pick of the most magnificent dressing tables of all time. Most wouldn't fit into your average double, but then, who are we to deny you this much glamour?

Click through the gallery above to experience the most magnificent tables dressing ever.