Things I Would NEVER Put in Your Kitchen

When designing kitchens, every choice matters. I've learned exactly what holds up and what doesn't. It's the heart of the home, they say. As families go back to school and settle back into their kitchens this month, we thought it was a good time to talk about what we'd never put in yours. After years designing kitchens, I've learned exactly what holds up and what doesn't. Here's my list, and the thinking behind each one.

View more photos from our Jocelyn Hollow project.

Cheap Appliances

Invest Where It Counts. This is the room that works hardest in the house, and it deserves appliances that perform as well as they look. Cheap appliances tend to fail at both. They break down quickly, skip the features that make daily cooking easier, and spoil the look of everything around them. I recommend investing in brands known for durability and design. Brands that we consistently source are Wolf, Sub-Zero, Thermador, and Monogram. A built-in refrigerator with a sleek panel finish disappears into the cabinetry, while a professional-grade range gives you real control at the stove. These are the pieces that become the focal point, not the eyesore.

View more photos from our Southern Classic project.

Can Lights

Lighting plays a crucial role in determining both the functionality and ambiance of a kitchen. A frequent error is relying on a long line of can lights that an electrician might "include" in their proposal. Architectural lighting has significantly advanced. Rather than the runway effect of can lights, choose smaller architectural lighting that is integrated directly into the drywall, offering a seamless, subtle ceiling. Positioning these lights to illuminate the counters and cooking areas creates an intentional design. You've invested in quality kitchen materials; lighting shouldn't be an afterthought. Under-cabinet lighting, strategically planned lighting in glass cabinets, and toe kick lighting can significantly enhance the design.

Pro tip - install dimmers on everything. "When in doubt, dim them out."This instantly enhances a space, making a kitchen feel warm and inviting rather than sterile.

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  Luxury Kitchen designed by Dogwood Proper in Belle Meade

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View more photos from our Belle Meade Cottage project.

Finishes That Last

Brushed nickel and brushed brass, or anything brushed, is a never for me! They read as dated, cheap, and builder-grade. They dull over time and never carry a timeless quality. We will always try to talk you into an unlacquered brass. These pieces patina over time and make a home look and feel like it has always been there. Polished Nickel is also a great choice if you just can't do brass. Polished Nickel is a true camelian and reads both warm and cool depending what she's paired with. Pick finishes with real depth, the kind you're glad to touch every single day.

Busy Backsplash

An overly ornate mosaic backsplash is a decision made for right now, not for the next fifteen years. Kitchens have to hold up over time, and a backsplash with too much going on fights every other choice in the room. I'd rather let one beautiful material do the talking, whether that's a slab of stone or a beautiful zellige tile.

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  Beautiful Zellige Tile backsplash designed by Dogwood Proper in Houston, Tx

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  Full slab Calcutta Marble in designed by Dogwood Proper in West Meade, Nashville TN

View more photos from our Hampton Oaks project.

Gray Paint

Gray has had its decade, and it never once made a kitchen feel like home. I want a kitchen that feels rooted and warm, the kind of room a family actually gathers in. Gray rarely gets there. Give me tones with some depth and history to them instead. A recent article by House Beautiful declares a warm white as the timeless choice. There, I said it. White kitchens still have my heart. Choose a warmer white and it will never go out of style. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Simply White - Benjamin Moore

• Accessible Beige - Sherwin-Williams

• Pointing - Farrow & Ball

  
  

Particle Board and Stock Cabinetry

Partial overlay cabinets and plain shaker read as builder-grade the moment you walk in the door. Choose Cabinetry with purpose. I want cabinetry with real presence. We love a classic inset cabinet with a bead detail. If that is not in the budget, choose a cabinet that's a full overlay for a cleaner, more furniture-like look or a profile with genuine detail worked into it. The cabinetry sets the tone for the whole room, so it has to earn its place.

Quartz Countertops

We've definitely incorporated it into projects, but if I have the option, I'll always persuade you to choose marble over quartz. Regardless of the life happening in your kitchen, marble endures. Quartz is designed to mimic something else, while marble is the real deal. Nothing else has the same movement, veining, and aging as marble. Period.

Trendy Cabinet Color

The color of the moment is, by definition, a moment. I'd rather choose a cabinet color that's rooted in the architecture of the home, something that still looks intentional ten years from now, long after the trend has moved on. Add a pop of color in a pantry or secondary space to keep the timeless appeal.

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A kitchen isn't a trend piece. It's the room that runs the house, and it deserves to be built to last. If you're ready to get it right the first time, contact Dogwood Proper to help make that a reality.