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House Beautiful published a list of 13 home features that interviewed designers said they would not choose for their own spaces. Their concerns include difficult upkeep, high costs, installation demands and limited practicality; the advice reflects individual professionals’ views, not a universal assessment of every product or home.
The recommendations are based on comments from designers and a tile-industry professional, rather than a comparative study of products or a survey of all designers. The central point is that an attractive finish or convenient-sounding feature can bring upkeep demands or practical trade-offs that matter over time.
Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said handmade zellige tile varies in size and thickness, which can make installation slow and difficult. She also said its surface can chip, craze or stain and requires regular sealing. Chappell raised similar maintenance concerns about cement tile, describing it as porous and prone to staining and etching. She also cited its weight and labor-intensive installation; the report says production can involve high water and energy use.
For kitchens, Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors said waterfall islands can reduce storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also pointed to limited storage and outlet options. Harty suggested a furniture-style island as an alternative, while Cunningham proposed using a desired stone slab as a backsplash.
Cunningham said expensive smart-home systems may malfunction when Wi-Fi or software updates fail. Designer Jessica Alpert said white linen furniture can be hard to keep clean and that built-in coffee makers need regular maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design advised choosing durable furniture over low-quality, disposable pieces, saying: “Take the time to save and invest in furniture that will last you longer than a year.”
Harty also cautioned against putting a freestanding tub in a bathroom without enough surrounding space: it can lose visual impact and make cleaning behind it difficult. She said an alcove or deck-mounted tub may be more comfortable for everyday use. The source headline promises 13 features, but the supplied article text ends partway through its discussion of limewashing and does not provide the complete list.
The Trade-Off Behind Design Trends
Renovation decisions can involve substantial spending and long-lived changes, so a feature’s appearance is only part of the choice. The designers’ comments draw attention to maintenance, repair, installation and space use—costs and inconveniences that may become more apparent after a project is complete.
The advice can help readers frame questions for contractors and suppliers: How often does a surface need sealing? What happens if a connected system loses internet access? Will an island restrict seating or storage? Those questions do not mean every homeowner should reject the features. They show why household routines, room dimensions and maintenance tolerance should factor into a decision.
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Design Advice, Not Product Testing
The source is a House Beautiful report on design choices that a handful of professionals said they would not use in their own homes. Its introduction frames the issue around the cost of renovation and the difficulty of choosing features that will remain appealing and functional over several years, particularly as trends move quickly.
The examples vary in how permanent or costly they may be. Furniture can be replaced more readily than tile or built-in equipment, while a tub or island can affect a room’s layout. The supplied material names zellige and cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture, freestanding tubs and whole-home limewashing, but cuts off before all 13 entries and their supporting comments are shown.
““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 Supplied Report Leaves Out
The provided source text does not include the full set of 13 features: it stops during the limewashing entry, without showing the remaining discussion. It also does not provide a publication date, prices, product comparisons, or independent testing to establish how often the cited problems occur.
The recommendations are attributed opinions, not proof that every example will cause problems in every home. Installation quality, product specifications, room size and household needs can change the practical result. The source also does not quantify the environmental impact of cement-tile production.
Questions to Ask Before Renovating
The report does not announce a product change, policy decision or scheduled follow-up. For homeowners considering these features, the next step is to check care instructions, installation requirements, warranties and repair options with qualified suppliers or contractors, and compare those demands with the intended use of the room.
Readers seeking the full set of 13 should consult the complete House Beautiful article; the source material provided here is incomplete. Any decision should be based on the actual product and project, not on the list alone.
Key Questions
What is the report about?
House Beautiful reports that several design professionals would avoid certain home features in their own spaces because of concerns including maintenance, cost, installation and practicality.
Why did designers raise concerns about zellige and cement tile?
Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said zellige’s handmade variation can complicate installation and that it needs regular sealing. She described cement tile as porous, heavy and labor-intensive to install, with a risk of staining and etching.
What are the concerns about waterfall islands and freestanding tubs?
Yvonne Harty said waterfall islands may reduce seating and storage, cost more and be vulnerable to chipped corners. She said freestanding tubs need ample space around them, or they may be harder to clean and less effective as a design feature.
Does the source provide all 13 features?
No. The supplied text ends during the limewashing discussion, so it does not show all 13 entries or the full reasoning for each one.
Are these recommendations universal rules?
No. They are opinions from a handful of professionals, not results from product testing. Suitability depends on the home, product, installation and owner’s priorities.
Source: housebeautiful.com
