TL;DR
Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
A House Beautiful report asked interior designers to identify 13 home features they would not choose for their own spaces. The supplied report details concerns about upkeep, installation, cost and everyday practicality; the advice reflects the designers’ views, not a universal assessment of each feature.
A House Beautiful report has listed 13 home features designers say they would not choose for their own spaces, citing maintenance demands, installation challenges, cost and limits on everyday use. The supplied excerpt discusses eight of the selections in detail, including zellige and cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home packages, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs.
The designers’ objections are specific rather than a blanket claim that the features are poorly made or unsuitable for every home. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile says handmade zellige varies in size and thickness, which can make installation slow and difficult; she also says its surface can chip, craze and stain, and requires regular sealing. For cement tile, Chappell points to porosity, vulnerability to stains and etching, the need for frequent sealing, and heavy, labor-intensive installation.
Kitchen designer Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says waterfall islands can add cost while limiting storage and seating, with corners that may chip. Designer Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also cites restricted storage and outlet placement, and suggests using a striking stone slab as a backsplash instead. On smart-home packages, Cunningham says systems can be costly and subject to malfunctions, Wi-Fi interruptions and software-update glitches.
The other examples in the supplied report focus on the mismatch between an appealing look and the work or compromises involved. Jessica Alpert says white linen furniture is difficult to keep clean, particularly in homes with children or pets, and notes that built-in coffee makers require ongoing cleaning and maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design recommends saving for furniture intended to last rather than buying low-quality pieces. Harty says freestanding tubs need adequate space and can be difficult to clean behind; an alcove or deck-mounted tub may work better for everyday use.
The Upkeep Behind Design Choices
The report speaks to a common renovation decision: whether a feature’s appearance or convenience justifies its upfront price, installation demands and ongoing care. Some concerns can affect both budgets and day-to-day use. A porous surface may need sealing and careful cleaning, while a waterfall island may consume space that could otherwise provide storage or seating.
These are professional opinions, not product tests or evidence that every installation will fail. The designers’ comments offer readers practical questions to ask before committing: how often will a material need maintenance, can the household manage it, and does the feature fit the room and its intended use?
Products Worth Considering
Coway Mighty AP-1512HH(W) Air Purifier, White
Shark Rocket Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum, Lightweight, Bordeaux, HV322
Shark PowerDetect Corded Stick Vacuum, Self-Cleaning (Eggplant, HZ4002)
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Design Appeal Versus Daily Use
The article frames the choices against the expense and duration of home renovations, where a decision can affect both the finished look and future upkeep. It also points to the rapid turnover of interior-design trends, which can make it harder to judge whether a choice will remain satisfying several years later.
The recommendations are not all about permanent fixtures. Tile, stone islands and tubs can involve substantial installation work, while furniture and appliances may be easier to change but still bring recurring cleaning, repair or replacement costs. The supplied source names 13 features, but its excerpt ends after discussing freestanding tubs and begins a heading about limewashing an entire home; it does not provide the full list or the accompanying explanation for the remaining items.
““Because each piece is handmade, there’s a lot of variation in size and thickness, making installation slow and tricky.””
— Jamie Chappell, Fireclay Tile
What the Excerpt Leaves Out
The supplied material does not include the complete list of 13 features: it provides detailed descriptions of eight and only the start of a heading about limewashing an entire home. The other selections and any expert explanations for them cannot be confirmed from this excerpt. It also gives no publication date, pricing comparisons, product testing or data measuring how often the cited problems occur.
Whether any feature is a poor choice depends on its installation, the home and the people using it. The report presents individual designers’ assessments; it does not establish that the listed features are universally impractical, unsafe or financially unwise.
Questions to Ask Before Renovating
The source does not announce a follow-up or a specific next milestone. For readers weighing similar choices, the practical next step is to ask installers and suppliers about maintenance schedules, repair needs, installation costs and how a feature affects usable space. Those details can help distinguish a design preference from a practical constraint in a particular home.
Readers seeking all 13 entries will need to consult the full House Beautiful report. Based on the supplied excerpt alone, the remaining items and their supporting comments are not available.
Key Questions
Which home features are discussed in the supplied report excerpt?
The excerpt discusses zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home packages, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It also starts a heading about limewashing an entire home but provides no explanation for that item in the supplied material.
Why does the report raise concerns about zellige and cement tile?
Jamie Chappell says zellige’s handmade pieces vary in size and thickness, making installation more difficult, and says the surface can chip, craze or stain. She describes cement tile as porous and vulnerable to stains and etching, with frequent sealing and labor-intensive installation required.
What drawbacks do designers cite for waterfall islands?
Yvonne Harty says they can add cost, limit storage and seating, and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham also cites restricted storage and outlet placement. These are the designers’ assessments, not a finding that every waterfall island has those problems.
Does the source provide all 13 features?
No. The supplied excerpt gives details for eight selections and begins another heading, but it does not show the complete list or the explanations for the remaining entries.
Source: housebeautiful.com
