The other day, I lamented the fact that I still make mistakes, but most are due to a new risk taken and therefore a lesson learned. I generally don’t consider those “dumb” mistakes, just part of the creative process. And listen, most mistakes are reversible with time and money. But every now and again, one will be so hard to undo that you live with it because while it’s a big mistake, fixing it is just too expensive or would have a domino effect that would topple your mental health. We are talking about removing plumbing, electrical, and tile – those kinds of mistakes. So today I’m listing some of my dumbest, off the top of my head, as a PSA to all of you.

Wrong Rough-In Plumbing In Kids’ Bath – Glendale

As you know, I didn’t go to design school nor learn underneath a designer who did. A styling background gives you zero education on rough-in plumbing. So when I went to remodel our first bathroom in Glendale, I stupidly ordered a shower fixture with a hand shower and tub filler, but didn’t give my plumber the specs, and he roughed for a normal shower and a tub filler. I didn’t catch it, we tiled over it, and then when he went to install the plumbing fixtures, he showed me my mistake. We had to bust through the closet on the other side (thank god), and he switched out the rough plumbing, switching out the 2-way diverter to a 3-way diverter. This one was fixable because of the closet, but man did I feel stupid as that mistake was 100% out of lack of education (no fun risk taken).

Light In The Art Barn – Farmhouse

This one killed me because it’s so dumb and is so recent! I hunted and splurged on the most perfect light for our art barn. I needed that exact arch to reach as close to the middle as possible and go up and over the window (instead of straight out, which might have intersected oddly with the window frame). I needed a plug-in sconce, and I wanted a poppy color. So when I found it on 1sDibs, I pinned it, hoping to find a cheaper version, but after a few months of looking realized I would have to splurge on the $900 + shipping for this perfect sconce. They knew I lived in America, what with the shipping address and all, but no, I didn’t triple-check that they would wire it based on our electrical voltage (which is very different). 

So when I received it, giddy with excitement, I immediately saw the European plug (and thus my mistake). You might think it’s easy to switch out, just buy a travel adaptor! But nope. For whatever reason, it doesn’t work like that (I tried). I think the European voltage is higher and isn’t comparable with our outlets. I have three options: 

1. Get it re-wired, which includes taking it completely apart and rebuilding it, likely $200-$300, and I’d need to take it down, transport it, etc, pick it back up, and re-install it. I would totally do this for a client and pay for it as it was on me to catch it, but I’m less inclined to fix it for myself.  
2. Live with it and use the overhead lights and cordless lamps on the table (which is what we are doing). This is the lazy choice for sure, and such a bummer to have this gorgeous thing that is just a sculpture. 
3. Use a plug-in bulb with a remote, avoiding the lamp wiring altogether. I’m not totally sure this will work, actually. I think that even the bulb socket thing is European and likely not going to work with a remote-controlled American bulb. But I’m going to try this.

SO ANNOYING. I share this so you won’t feel alone in your mistakes, knowing that ordering from Europe is specific and likely not a common mistake in need of a cautionary tale. But my collection of “European lamps that need to be rewired” is growing every day (I’m at 5 now). 

Sconce In Primary Bedroom – Mountain House

This one wasn’t my mistake, but it wasn’t caught by me either, so if I were the hired designer, I would 100% feel responsible (and it drives me NUTS that people are staying there thinking it’s intentional or ok). The electrician failed to install a light switch for the sconces above the nightstands, so you have to turn them on and off from the wall. Now, typically this wouldn’t be THAT annoying; you just have a lamp on your nightstands and use that light source at night, should you want to control it from bed. But these sconces are big, too big to add a lamp to the nightstand. And I sleep on the far side of the bed, oh, and there is no overhead light in there, so the only light source are these sconces. So if I wanted to read in bed, I’d have to get up, go around the whole bed to the door, and turn off the sconces, and then walk all the way back in the dark (or hold my phone to see). So dumb! 

Fix Option #1: Do a walk-through with your contractor and electrician before you close up the walls. I don’t remember if we did this or not TBH, but that’s on me for not either demanding the walk-through or catching the mistake (or maybe I didn’t think it was a big deal at the time). 

Fix Option #2: Replace the most awesome sconces with sconces that have a local switch on them. 

Cement Tile In Mudroom Floor – Los Feliz

This is a regret that I’m unsure whose fault it is – the tile, the installer, or mine. I chose cement tile for our tiny mudroom floor in our LA house, a cute plaid that I loved. Within days, it was dirty, and when I went to clean it, it seemed to be already lightly stained. I’m pretty sure I reached out to the contractor, who assured me it was installed and sealed correctly. I’ll never know if it was, and I think I was too excited to move in and celebrate Christmas a week later that I didn’t follow up. Over the next few years, it came to look dirty all the time – no big stains, just unable to clean it completely. So ultimately, I’m unsure if the mistake was using it inside in the first place or not sealing it properly.

Now, cement tiles are very porous. I understand that they are old-world and that they have fantastic patina. We put cement tile on our patio, and the patina looks GORGOUS and exactly what we wanted. It’s a perfect, worn-in look that still retains its color, but with a gorgeous earthiness. So I’m not against, cement tile full stop, but be very, very wary and careful about putting a light cement tile on your floor inside your home, and for the love of god, have it sealed 3 times (or whatever the recommendation is). Again, this could have been my installer’s fault, and he may not have sealed at all, but I fear that light colored cement tile will never appear “clean,” so make sure you install it somewhere that wants patina and age (like our patio). 

I have so many more – things not fitting inside doorways, buying something prematurely and ending up in storage, choosing the wrong tint of white that might be too cool. I would love to hear any of yours, as unfortunately, cautionary tales are a great way for the rest of us to learn:) Let er rip in the comments, friends. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: Waverly Laundry Room Reveal