An Experienced Designer Names 6 Items She Would Never Buy

Chicago-based interior designer Julie Mitchiner of JAM Interior Design is full of opinions. As she should be; Mitchiner has been reimagining and refining interiors for 13 years.

With countless projects in her portfolio, she narrowed down her home must-haves and home never-haves to science. That includes decor items she would never, ever buy, whether for a client’s home or her own.

Read on for Mitchiner’s thoughts on six categories of home items she thinks you should skip, and the practical, full-of-personality items she recommends instead.  

If you’re afraid of muddy-pawed pups, sticky-fingered kiddos, or wayward glasses of red wine ruining an expensive rug, Mitchiner has news for you. 

“I am here to tell you that you can have nice things with kids and pets,” she says. “It is truly not hard to maintain a rug that is well-made with durable materials and natural fibers like wool and jute. A nice, hand-knotted rug could last for generations.”

Margaret Palmer / Stocksy

A high-quality rug, like one made of wool or one that's been hand-knotted, is always a worthwhile investment, she says. Washable rugs, on the other hand, seem like a cheap fad to Mitchiner. 

“I don't understand the appeal—they are just flat, printed fabric,” she says. “I honestly don't believe that people are regularly moving their furniture around to pick up their rug to put in the washing machine.”

When it comes to tile, whether for your kitchen or bathroom, Mitchiner would never buy porcelain tile that’s made to look like marble—and she doesn't think you should either. “It's just printed on with a repeated pattern,” she says.

While the reduced price may be tempting, take it from Mitchiner: faux tiles will never look like marble or natural stone. 

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