I totally agree! Speaking of sinks, I have seen HGTV decorators use wall mounted sinks in bathrooms. Vintage gas station style. No thanks. Laundry room maybe...That's what I'm guessing. They get the open shelves, fill them with beautiful matching sets of dishes, stemware and casserole sets, maybe in a pattern to go with that modern farmhouse look @seadoug mentioned -- then go out to eat. You know they're all loaded.
Other things HGTV likes are pedestal sinks in the bathroom with a pretty mirror against the wall above it, leaving zero place to put so much as a toothbrush. My pet dislike are the TVs hung above the fireplace making my neck hurt just to glance. at it.

One place that might be okay for open shelving is over a coffee bar. Gives a place for coffee cannister, sugar and creamer, cups. Those things get used daily in our house.
