Restoration Hardware,Ohh Nooo!!!

Over a decade ago I set foot in the first Restoration Hardware Store in the Washington, D.C. area. It was located on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, Va.  At the time I had an office close by and I was meeting a friend and colleague for lunch. It was one of those odd moments I've remembered for whatever reason. My cell phone rang and the conversation, best I can recall, went like this:

Friend:: "Where are you?"
Me: "I am in the most amazing store.
Friend: "You're shopping?!"

Me: "No, I am falling in love with a hardware store."

Friend: "You're joking?
Me: "In highschool, I hated home economics and loved shop class."
Friend: "Really...a hardware store?
Me: It's much more than that.
Friend: Should I order for you?"
Me: No, get sandwiches to-go and meet me here."
Friend: "Are you serious?"
Me: "Yes, or you will have to eat alone."

My friend, Marc,  fell in love too.  It was probably more than an hour later that we sat outside eating those sandwiches talking endlessly about all the fantastic things we had just seen, both saying how we couldn't wait to bring our spouses to the store.

I lost contact with Marc years ago when I left the corporate world, but the love affair with RH continued. I have purchased  many items over the years for myself and in more recent times for clients.  I fell in love with a concept that was rooted in early 20th century designs that had both a modern and vintage vibe.  It had an industrial edge, but was also classic and traditional. Men loved this store. I never had to convince my husband to stop in. We even shopped every year for stockings stuffers. Fun retro stuff. It became a tradition.


Mr. Bill knows that without a Belgian linen suit & European vacation, his time at RH is over!


But, the relationship has changed. Someone decided to get a complete overhaul.  Not even a reinvention of sorts. To quote, in part, RH Chairman and Co-CEO Gary Friedman "We've destroyed the previous iteration of ourselves". Why get a facelift when Botex gray paint is all the help needed with the parts that are causing you to lose market share? Why does RH want to be only European? The entire catalogue is slathered in references to Belgian, French and Italian designs to describe the style of a particular reproduction piece. What's wrong with American design mixed with European influences? I know I would like and relate to that version. Just a slightly tweaked version of RH or at least one that I would recognize and could continue to embrace. Actually, I'd settle for a mere trace of it's original American roots aka Eureka, California.

For some reason, it reminds me how football star Tom Brady is sporting the teen boy hair style these days. Tom Brady is already handsome. So why is trying to look like Justin Bieber? Isn't the addition of Gisele Bundchen and baby Benjamin enough of an enhancement to maintain interest?






Imagine my surprised when I saw a near identical version of my pair of Aiden Gray long wall sconces that I purchased from one of my favorite local shops, almost 2 years ago, show up in the latest RH catalogue? Some of you may recall my issues earlier  this year.

 

Illuminating a comfortable chair 

 

Aiden Gray

RH

Ohh nooo!!! Yes, Mr. Bill it  happened again this past spring. RH rolled out their version of these zinc spheres that came from my friend's shop. It seems they also have a new found interest in antlers!


A&A library Christmas 2009




RH

 It seems RH, you are pulling a Brady and trying to be a Bieber. Trying to imitate what you may perceive is the desirable "hot" thing! Are you, readers,  able to look at many of their newest items and identify the inspiration copied source too?

Certainly, it can be a bit disappointing that things I thought were unique and interesting are now going to be greatly imitated and mass produced. But, I succumb to this possibility every time I make a purchase of something that is not hand made or antique.  But, more importantly,  it saddens me that shop owners, some of whom are friends, will now have to compete with you over merchandise they had the talent to spot and insight to fill their shops with long before you put out your game changing mission statement. Stephen Gordon, your original mission was good.  



Knock on limed-oak wood some of the enhancements, although not original in thought, are beautiful and interesting.  And, there are still a few things on the web that are from the good ol' days.  But, I'd be lying if I didn't admit to having concerns over your midlife crisis makeover RH. What if this "look" doesn't work out? What happens when interest wanes? Who will you try to be next?

Images via Restoration Hardware web site, Aiden Gray, Getty images, Whyfame and A&A

 



Tuesday Tip

Shade Parade.  Do you ever look at your lighting and think perhaps it doesn't work anymore?   Maybe you don't care for the style or the color.   Maybe it does in fact need to be replaced.  Or maybe it just needs a new shade.  Of course replacing a lamp shade is hardly a new concept, but keeping a few on hand that can do double duty is an option worth consideration!

I especially like to do this with accent lighting.  It provides flexibility on a moments notice by allowing me to  move the lamps from room to room, season to season.  This also works very well for sconces and chandelier shades.  Granted with table lamps price and storage could be an issue, but a simple linen or silk drum shade will give you a beautiful, additional alternative to almost any base.  Just make sure the shade is in proportion to the base.

For a low cost option consider the possibilities of 2 candlestick lamps dressed in 4 shades.  This provides 8 different looks that helps avoid needing something new!!!  I have a pair of everything shown, but sometimes only one is needed depending on where it is being located. These lamps have been used on mantels, dressers, bookcases, butlers pantry, buffet, secretary and even the back of the powder room toilet!

Just for fun, I would love to hear which combination you preferred!  And, would you care to take a guess as to which lamp and shade may have been purchased together?