Simmons Vanity

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal simmons vanity for your home. A simmons vanity — often made from metal, steel and brass — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect simmons vanity — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A simmons vanity made by Industrial designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. A well-made simmons vanity has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Norman Bel Geddes are consistently popular.

Prices for a simmons vanity can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,200 and can go as high as $7,250, while the average can fetch as much as $2,400.

Best known for industrial and Art Deco style metal furniture, Simmons Company Furniture was among the leading manufacturers and sellers of steel furniture from the early to mid-20th century.

In 1923, the Chicago-based furniture firm captured international attention when it introduced the world’s first bedroom suite made of steel. This innovative approach to design made waves throughout the furniture manufacturing industry, which, at the time, produced primarily wooden furniture. 

Towards the late 1920s, Simmons Company Furniture began collaborating with American modernist industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. Bel Geddes was renowned for his sleek, streamlined, futuristic style, seen in Electrolux appliances, radios for Philco and RCA and the aerodynamic Chrysler Airflow. Bel Geddes was also the designer behind the famed General Motors “Futurama” exhibition at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

For Simmons, Bel Geddes designed a steel bedroom furniture ensemble in 1929, including an enameled steel vanity, bed frame and dresser, each with chrome-finished accents. In 1933, Simmons exhibited the suite at the Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago, garnering critical acclaim. Over the next few years, Bel Geddes designed several other pieces for Simmons, such as an Art Deco-style one-drawer side table, leather-upholstered metal armchairs, vanity benches and chests of drawers.

In addition to these modernist designs, Simmons created American Classical furniture and steel reproductions of Windsor, Chippendale and Sheraton pieces aimed at the upper-middle-class market. To soften the industrial look, many pieces, such as rocking chairs, armchairs, desks and dressers, were enameled in color finishes or imitation wood.

Simmons Company Furniture pieces have had a resurgence in popularity, particularly among interior designers and collectors of early 20th-century furniture. The company’s furnishings are in museum collections across the United States, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Brooklyn Museum in New York.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of Simmons Company Furniture seating, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and more.