I'm just taking this list as what it is: A list of very well crafted websites that hopefully inspire others for their own work.
And really, what's wrong with style over substance? It's not like a firm needs to have a Reddit/Gmail style of a design.
I, like you, use Facebook, Gmail, and Reddit quite a bit. However, I don't consider their design to be as outstanding as their functionality (which I know we'll disagree with). Thus, I wouldn't say they are my favorite web designs.
If you look at design as being purely aesthetic, then I agree with you. If, however, you approach design as does an architect, that is, to facilitate human interaction with a necessary medium, then these sites suck.
They are a chair that looks really great from a distance, but that you can't sit in. It's pretty and pointless.
Dawghouse is an exception. I actually quite like that one. However, I don't like it because it's "pretty", I like it because it follows good design fundamentals and includes nice little touches - like js button highlighting on mouseover. It looks well-put together. I'd hire them.
And really, what's wrong with style over substance? It's not like a firm needs to have a Reddit/Gmail style of a design.
I, like you, use Facebook, Gmail, and Reddit quite a bit. However, I don't consider their design to be as outstanding as their functionality (which I know we'll disagree with). Thus, I wouldn't say they are my favorite web designs.