The Real Real

Buying a home is exciting, but let’s be real… The things you’ll regret don’t show up until you’ve already moved in. Do not get me wrong; home ownership is a beautiful accomplishment. Be proud and celebrate such a major milestone, especially in today’s economy. Depending on whether you go the new construction route or the pre-owned route, you may have your own set of regrets. For me, I decided to go the new construction route in 2021. I was like a kid in the candy store picking out features, deciding electrical wall placements to overlooked features. The little details really matters! The interior designer in me was thrilled to go through this process. I’ve had a few lessons along the way, and I’m sharing them so maybe you can avoid the same pitfalls! Here’s what I learned so you can build with confidence and your dream home feel just as intentional.

Regrets / Lessons Learned

My Biggest Regret: Carpet in the Bedroom

My biggest regret is carpet in the bedroom: I went with carpet for comfort, but now I wish I had opted for hardwood or something more timeless, less maintenance, more style. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how much customization goes into carpet. From thickness and padding to the exact shade of beige or gray, the choices felt endless. Of course, I opted for carpet with the intention of upgrading to hardwood floors throughout. Now, if I can use my magic wand and redo, I would absolutely start with hardwood throughout. It creates a foundation that’s elegant, durable, and versatile enough to evolve with your style over time. (Not to mention, saves me from those long vacuuming sessions)

Learn from my mistake of holding back where it mattered most. Some areas in your home really deserve a bit more investment and those “little splurges” can pay off big in both daily enjoyment and resale value. One splurge I did get right was avoiding carpet on the stairs. For me, carpeted stairs will always bring back memories of my childhood home and while it worked then, today? Immediately, NO. Hardwood stairs not only feel more elevated and modern, but they’re also easier to clean and far more durable in high-traffic areas. Sometimes, the extra investment is worth it for style, longevity, and peace of mind.

Lesson Learned: When Aesthetics Clash with Maintenance

Growing as a designer, I fell in love with groutless tile in the owner’s suite. It’s sleek, modern, and absolutely beautiful. But here’s the truth: cleaning and maintaining the grout in the shower has become my biggest headache. What looks amazing on install day doesn’t always stay practical day-to-day. Sometimes low-maintenance wins over aesthetics. If you’ve built a new construction home within the past five years and have a grout shower, please tell me, are you struggling with cleaning too? I’d love to know if it’s just me or if this is a universal regret!

If I Had Three Wishes: A Custom Pantry (No Wire Shelves!)

Wire shelving is practical, and I didn’t think I’d miss it… But wow, organization truly matters. My dream custom pantry would be cover-of-a-magazine worthy, complete with a butler’s pantry, aesthetically pleasing storage containers, and a statement arch door. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

That said, I wouldn’t eliminate wire. Built-in stainless steel shelving for pots and pans would have been a game-changer. Not having it is a daily reminder that functionality is just as important as aesthetics. Right now, I’ve pieced together a temporary solution for storing my lids, but it’s not enough. I want more. Maybe it’s the OCD in me, but hey… organization sells.

The truth is, the smallest details, like pantry layout or shelving choices can transform how you use your home every single day. Dreaming is fun, but designing with function in mind makes all the difference.

Closet Goals: The Boutique Walk-In

If you love a good boutique store like I do, you’ll understand why I dream of a custom walk-in closet. I had the vision, but if I had tweaked the layout, the space could have been far more functional. Closet design isn’t just about square footage; storage design truly matters.

If I could redo it, I’d remove the carpet and replace the wire shelving with something more elevated and timeless. The space itself is generous (and I love that), but I want the experience of walking into Gabrielle’s Boutique every morning, curated displays, built-in shelving, and finishes that feel more like a luxury shopping experience than a standard builder’s closet.

The lesson? Your closet isn’t just storage; it sets the tone for how you start and end your day. Investing in design here can transform daily routines into a little moment of luxury.

Final Thoughts: Balance is Everything

Every home will have trade-offs, but knowing what you truly value makes it easier to make decisions you won’t regret. Don’t be afraid to invest in the things you’ll actually use and enjoy every single day, it’s always worth it.

At the end of the day, lessons learned are simple: balance style with practicality, and always design with the way you live in mind. After all, no one has ever said, “Wow, I wish I had more wire shelves and harder-to-clean grout.” No home is perfect, but these little lessons make living in it even more rewarding. Hopefully sharing my regrets helps you make your dream home feel even closer to perfect!

Do you want your next event and your everyday spaces to feel seamless in style? I’m now offering combined interior + event planning packages. Or, if you’re just curious, reach out and let’s chat about our interior design and event planning services to bring your vision to life.

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes peeks, mood board mashups, how-to’s and much more coming very soon.

Thanks for reading my blog! Can’t wait to share the stylish celebrations and spaces to come!

xoxo,

Gabrielle Simone <3