Designers name the ‘invaluable’ home accessories they never use

Have you ever bought something for your home that you thought you just had to have, but then found you rarely – or possibly never – used it? House Beautiful recently spoke with top designers who named a few such purchases of their own and would not suggest that others buy, as well. Here are their top nonrecommendations:

Steam shower
Designer Richard Mishaan thought he “just had to have” a steam shower and tore up his bathroom to install one. But he found he never had time to take a spa day like he dreamed, and he could have purchased interest in a real spa with the money he wasted on the steam shower.

Commercial-grade stove
A commercial-grade stove sounded like a necessity for entertaining, but designer Nate Berkus failed to considered that he doesn’t cook. He says has never turned the stove on.

Linen cocktail napkins
Linen cocktail napkins spend more time in the drawer than on the taple since designer Victoria Neale realized they needed ironing. Compared with the ease of just throwing away paper napkins, linen napkins weren't worth the trouble.

Cashmere and mohair throws
Designer Elaine Griffin found that the shedding factor outweighed the great look of mohair throws and blankets, and they quickly were relegated to under her bed. She has also found that antique wicker cat baskets and the cashmere blankets she lines them with don’t attract cats as they do her.

Lawn games and soft-service ice cream maker
You name the lawn game – stainless steel bocce balls, professional horse shoes or a personalized croquet set – and you’ll find them in Dennis Wedlick’s garden shed – never in the sun and entertaining guests. On the cuisine side of entertaining, designer Carolyne Roehm found that operating and cleaning a professional-grade soft-serve ice cream maker was just too much trouble as well as too expensive. This is one accessory, she says, that’s going on eBay.