What to do when someone falls in love and won't listen to good advice!

Could the title of this blog get any longer?  

This blog came about as I was reading an article on the magazine site:  The Stylelist, Kimberly Mullian, It got me thinking about the surfaces and appropriateness of use and a designer's responsibility.  In this blog she discusses the fact that her designer recommended Carrara marble for the bathroom and how she agreed - because she likes it and everyone has it right?   Having lived with the marble in her bathroom for some months she is finding the down side of the beautiful white, porous & delicate substance.  I can see why the marble was selected but this is where I think Designer who is doing her job well will try and dissuade her client from using a particular product when it is not suitable for the purpose.

Carrara marble is one of the softest of marbles.  Its white colour will not remain white and pristine for long if subjected to any chemical cleaners, drops of nail varnish cleaner, wet soap left on it, etc. etc.  It may be sealed but we all know that doesn't count for much if through ignorance or ineptitude the wrong things are used or spilt. What would I have done?  I would have said - Yes, use the marble on vertical surfaces but be aware that if you use it on horizontal surfaces you are liable for staining, scratching and defects appearing.  Why not use: Corian, Axion etc many other man made products which cope with modern living very well and look very like marble and are just as expensive.

I have had clients select, fall in love with and want a product that is inappropriate for the job.  Persuading them to change and alter their minds is difficult.  The item you are usually trying to discuss is probably integral to the design/look of the room and they just 'want it'.   I am of the opinion that it is the designer's duty to point out all the flaws and potential problems with any particular product.  It is then up to the client to decide if they want to use it being made aware of these facts.   Occasionally, I will say that  'In my opinion this product is not suitable for the purposes for which they want to use it, and that they are using it against my advice.....And they have to be aware of the consequences'.  That hasn't happened often mind you!

So to answer the title of the blog - What to do when someone falls in love and won't listen to good advice:  give the advice, makes sure that you have documented the fact that you gave the advice and that your client is aware of the facts and then 'go with the flow'!  People fall in love with unsuitable people so let them live with their unsuitable interior decor choices if that is what they have fallen in love with.

What do you think - should a designer insists they know what is right or should they let a client make that decision?

Marble stained with water.