While I don't consider myself a perfectionist, I do like things neat—most of the time. It's important to me that my home is beautiful and lived in. I want it filled with laughter, joy, and life. If that means a few nicks and spills? That's fine with me. Even so, over the years of home renovations, people have asked me if certain things have "held up," or if I'd still recommend a particular product or style. Honestly? It really depends on your individual tolerance for potential imperfections.
So, if pristine surfaces are important to you, or if signs of wear bother you, here are seven things you should consider carefully for your home design projects. I've had experience with all of these, so I'll give you my honest opinion!
1. Wall-to-Wall Carpets
Godfrey Hirst Wool Blend carpet--Glen Abbey II in the color Thatch
There's nothing like the feel of carpet underfoot. I've had it other houses, and it was great. However, carpets collect dust, fur, allergens...and if you get a stain on them? Well, some stains are treatable and others are much more complicated. (Like the time I got pink paint on our carpet 12 years ago. Yikes.) There are carpet cleaning services and tools, but it's always going to be an uphill battle.
Of course, rugs also collect stuff, but the main difference is that you can take them out to clean professionally or replace them easily if they're not salvageable. I'm more of a hardwoods-and-rugs girlie now since I love the aesthetic, but I am toying with adding carpet to our playroom. We'll see...
2. Soapstone or Marble Countertops
I have a very high tolerance and love for wear and tear when it comes to kitchen countertops. First off, I could not recommend a soapstone counter more. I don’t even oil it or reseal it! I like the look of it a little less polished. To clean it, I spray Mrs. Meyers soap on it and wash it with a rag. I don’t see any dings or scratches (but I'm sure they're there).
Our marble is higher-maintenance. It's a softer stone, which lends itself to stain, dings, and scratches. Within a year of getting our countertops, we got a big mark from some unknown kitchen spill and had to have the counters professionally restored. And they need to be resealed frequently. But our marble is so scratched that we don't even notice the imperfections anymore. The first scratch is the deepest (anyone else hearing Sheryl Crow right now?). Now it's just like an old friend with character: I don't even notice the flaws, I just think of how many good times we have around our kitchen island.
3. Copper Gutters
Here's the tea: If you're not into the whole "patina" thing, steer clear of real copper. Still love the look? Maybe try faux copper gutters. They're made of aluminum, steel, or even vinyl, but they've got this special coating that looks just like copper.
On the plus side, copper gutters are highly durable and can last up to 100 years without corrosion. I couldn't love our copper gutters more—they're the icing on the cake of our exterior update, but I have to admit I'm already a little anxious. I want them to have some patina, but not fully oxidize. And some of them are starting to turn! We'll need to apply a protective coating very soon.
4. High-Gloss Paint
I love the drama of shine! It added a touch of modernity to our study cabinetry and trim. The high sheen in high-gloss paint reflects light beautifully—and it also accentuates dents, bumps, dirt, and stains. You're not hiding any flaws with high-glass paint!
If you're dedicated to the look like I am, then make sure you're prepping the area thoroughly. And if you're hiring painters, make sure they're on the same page with the final coat! (Note my cautionary tale.)
5. Jute Rugs
Jute rugs are incredibly beautiful, use natural materials, and are generally pretty affordable. However, jute rugs are a little trickier to care for. You can't soak these rugs with cleaner like you can with other rugs. They're also more susceptible to picks from pets, sharp objects, and heavy wear. To me, that means they have a wonderful lived-in feel over time. I'm not bothered by the evolution of that "character". But they can really bother people who notice those variations.
When designing the Judy collection in our rug line with Loloi, we combined the character of jute with the durability of cotton, which creates a stronger bind. However, you still have to care for them delicately. So if you're a perfectionist and love the look, either put them in a room you don't use as often, like a formal dining room—or admire them in someone else's home!
6. Non-Performance Fabric Sofa
Kipton Corner Sectional in "Nomad Snow" Crypton Fabric
Listen, I would love a plaid twill sofa (give me all the vintage Ralph Lauren vibes). But after having some couches look like they'd been through the ringer in just a year (with 3 young kids and a pup who helps herself to the best seats in the house), I've mostly converted to high-performance fabrics.
One way to know if a sofa will stand up to the elements is to look at the abrasion resistance. Many places call a fabric "durable" if it can withstand 30,000 double rubs or more (the industry's way of measuring wear and tear on a fabric). Performance fabrics can withstand around 40,000 double rubs or more. Crypton fabric can withstand 50,000 double rubs or more, and one of Sunbrella's fabrics supports abrasion resistance up to 100,000 double rubs.
It's worth it to check before you invest in a high-ticket item that you don't want to become your pup's scratching post.
7. Linen Bedding
Linen Core Sheet Set in White, Wallpaper, Table Lamp, Bowl
If you're someone who sleeps warm and likes light bedding, I can understand the appeal of linen sheets. It's a naturally cooling, breathable, long-lasting fabric—what's not to like? I've had them in the girls' rooms before and loved the lived-in look.
But here me out, perfectionists: The wrinkling will drive you crazy. I'm sure there are brands coming out with new and better linen sheets and blends, but traditionally, these sheets will never look "crisp."
They can also feel relatively stiff compared to other fabrics, though they soften over time. If you love that tucked-in, tidy hotel room look that helps you start your day on a good note, these are not for you!
What else would you add to the list? It's funny, none of these things really bother me, but cabinetry, walls, and baseboards? That’s a different story. I want those things to be pristine!
Leave a Reply
WE'RE CHRIS + JULIA
Portfolio
Projects
Painted cabinets! They will eventually get a ding or scratch here and there. Especially if you have painted quarter-round. If you have hardwood floors, go for quarter-round finished like the floor. And always ask the cabinet guy for a touch up kit. No such thing as painted cabinets that won’t wear. On the other end of things, wool carpet and rugs always and forever. It beats all other materials for getting out stains. It naturally repels many and baking soda + white vinegar is a dream for getting out so many other sins. Much better than all the “performance” synthetic compositions.
Shea from Studio McGee made a comment once about carpet. It was a positive. Carpet holds the dust/allergens until the vacuum sucked them up. I see dust collecting on wood floors in the corners and one little puff or gust of wind and it's all going every direction. I like carpet in bedrooms for the coziness.
1) Children
2) Pets
3) Guests
4) Art projects
5) Real plants
6) Food
7) Drinks other than water
If you can avoid all that, you can have all the high gloss cabinetry and wall to wall carpets and white sofas.
Speaking of wrinkly sheets!!
Do you iron your pillow cases? I do that but the edges of the pillowcases and sheets NEVER go back to flat!!
I’m going to buy an industrial roller iron for new house unless you have a better solution.
Thanks!!
Light-colored textiles. Bath towels, bed sheets, kitchen and bathroom hand towels, etc. They get stained and I find it difficult to not focus on the stains.
I love love your honesty.
Love this post. My OCD gets going when I see a lot of these and it is comforting to know the truth and that is I couldn't live with most of these and be sane. Thank you
Concrete floor tiles. It was like they soaked in dirt and oil!
Paint! There’s always knicks and fingerprints but what can you do, it’s lived in
I can’t wait to see your copper gutters after they’ve been sealed!
I’d love to know how the wood floors in your work office are holding up? It’s hard to want to make an investment in something that will not hold up over time.
Hardwood floors! We had to get ours sanded and fixed twice after a faulty dishwasher and a big unattended water spill. We can also see all the scratches and dings. Still prefer them over other flooring