As a homes editor, I’d like to think that my home is, well, somewhat (emphasis on somewhat, please) perfect. From my bench-made sitting room sofa, which an antiques-dealing friend plucked from a designer’s estate sale, to my custom drapes, there’s a lot to love in my house. But, let’s not kid ourselves—there’s also a lot not to love, like my white “washable” rug that 100% isn’t actually washable (or pet-friendly, while we’re at it!) or my primary bedroom that I’ve never quite finished decorating.

As my friends have begun buying their first homes and starting families, I’ve been bombarded with questions about what they should or should not invest in decor-wise, and whether there is anything in my home that I would definitely recommend. So, they got me thinking: Are there things I love in my own home that defy conventional design wisdom? After a quick inventory, I realized the answer was a definite, ‘yes!’

Below, I dive into the decorating “mistakes” I would definitely make again, and see why you might want to make them too.

A Velvet Sofa

Official Pet Lab tester Teddy approves of the sofa, too.

I’ve admittedly put this sofa through the wringer as my fiancé and I are firmly couch dwellers, often sharing our evening meal atop TV trays while we discuss our days and watch television. (Listen, in a small house with only a formal dining room that is currently full of wedding-planning paraphernalia, the best we can do is TV trays and I’ll hear no judgement because mine are dark wood, and I love them.)

From spaghetti spills to gardening grime, our sofa has seen it all and stood the test of time. If I were buying a new sofa tomorrow, I would certainly go for performance velvet again, hot weather and all!

Formal Everyday China

These are my everyday plates from the Ark Elements. I am utterly obsessed.

While we’re talking TV trays, let’s talk what we’re actually eating off of. I’m a firm believer that fine china can and should be used every day. Maybe it’s because my mother had the same belief, or that I just went through the wedding registry process, but finding a plate that brings you joy every time you use it is a whole lot better than picking something plain you *think* you’ll still like in 20 years out of pure practicality.

Now, there are some guidelines I would recommend sticking to: pick something dishwasher safe and avoid any plates that have metal detailing (like gold rims) since those can’t be microwaved. Not sure where to start? Spode, Lenox, Pomelo Casa, and the Ark Elements are some of my favorite brands with beautifully patterned plates that stand up to daily use. (Plus, they have all made multiple appearances in Country Living!)

Marble Countertops

So, I don’t have marble countertops, but when I pitched this story to the Country Living staff, our design director Maribeth Jones was quick to share her own “impractical” choices that she’d gladly make again. So, I’ll pass this one to her. “When we renovated our kitchen, marble countertops were the only choice for me,” says Maribeth. “Three years later, yes, there’s some scratching and etching, but those little imperfections make it feel loved and lived-in. Plus, the marble we selected had been in Vermont for thousands of years and now it’s in our little kitchen in Alabama. How cool is that? It’s a piece of living history.”

Jute Rug

This jute rug is a perfect blend of timeless and trend.

Jute rugs get a lot of flak for shedding, but honestly, I love mine. I’ve had my jute rug for over two years and its shedding is barely noticeable. Sure, it isn’t in pristine condition, but for the high-traffic area it’s in, where my TV room connects to the patio, it’s held up extremely well. Plus, I think the slightly worn-in look gives the room a bit of texture. I don’t want my home to look like a showroom, so I’ve grown to appreciate the timeworn appeal of happily trodden carpeting or rugs.

Now, my dog doesn’t shed (Teddy, one of our pet lab testers, is hypoallergenic since I’m allergic to dogs), but my cat does seasonally. She loves to scratch her back on the rug, so we vacuum her hair from it on a weekly basis (our Food & Crafts Director swears by this vacuum for pet hair!) and still haven’t seen any major loss in structure, shape, or condition. 10/10, I would buy it again!

Unlacquered Brass

In recent years, unlacquered brass has become the go-to hardware and fixture finish in kitchens, for good reason. Its timeless, time-worn appeal has catapulted it into an ‘in-the-know’ signifier of a well-designed kitchen.

A few people on our staff have unlacquered brass finishes in their own homes and love it. I’ll let Maribeth weigh in: “Unlacquered brass, like marble, is a living finish. The minute it’s installed it starts oxidizing and—not to be dramatic—a story unfolds. Our most reached-for kitchen knobs have a shinier center than our darker drawer pulls that store seasonal grilling tools and birthday sprinkles. The character, warmth, and charm those knobs bring is just unmatched.”