When it comes to interior design, functionality is as important as aesthetics. Attractive rooms that don’t work well are like good-looking people who are not intelligent: they’re just a bunch of pretty faces.

Not long ago I walked into a very stylish restroom at a doctor’s office. As I closed the door I noticed the spiffy design details but also realized there was no hook on which I could hang my purse. Not wanting to place my handbag on the floor, I gingerly rested it on the side of the sink.

As I proceeded to take care of business, I suddenly heard the sound of running water. I turned to see that my purse had slid into the sink – triggering the electric eye on the faucet – and was rapidly filling with water! Needless to say, I was not in a position to respond as quickly as I would have liked: By the time I was able to reach it, the bag and its entire contents were completely soaked. It would not have been a good time to ask me what I thought about curvy Italian sinks nor the functionality of that particular bathroom.

After that visit, and my little “chat” with the office manager, I noticed a chrome hook had been installed on the back of the bathroom door. Trust me, I did not care a whit about its style.