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April 25, 2007

Restoration Hardware: A Solid Middle Ground?

resthard07.jpgWe were flipping through the latest Restoration Hardware catalog that arrived on our doorstep yesterday and noticed for the first time what an extensive line of hardware the company has now. Though we didn't see a single piece of furniture that we'd want to have in our house, it struck us that, for people who don't have the patience to go digging through the bins at Olde Good Things or can't afford the likes of Edward R. Butler, Restoration Hardware might be a decent place to look. This knob from the Hanson line, for example, is only $7 to $24, depending on whether you opt for the antique brass, polished nickel, satin nickel, polished chrome or oil-rubbed bronze finish. There are some nice hinges as well. Has anyone used any of this stuff?

On a related note, we will be starting a new feature in a couple of weeks called Ask The Architect, so start getting your questions ready.




Posted by Brownstoner at 11:11 AM | Comments (40)
Categories: Renovation, Salvage

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Comments

I agree. Their hardware is very solid, good quality with a refined design that goes well in antique houses yet bridges to modern too.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 11:22 AM

i think in general restoration hardware has some really nice things, especially when used in moderation and in combination with other pieces picked up at the places you mention and elsewhere.

Posted by: anon at April 25, 2007 11:24 AM

OMG, RH rocks. We got window treatments for them - and while not super cheap, they were waaay below custom-made curtains.

The hardware, as others have mentioned, is of good quality and is pretty good-looking.

And... they DELIVER!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 11:34 AM

We've had very good experiences with RH. We've installed polished nickel bathroom mirror, knobs, and other bathroom hardware from them and all have been nicely made. Other good stuff there: Excellent, high-quality sheets for those of us who can't swing Frette or Pratesi. Also, their silk drapes are nice, and less expensive than lotsa places. Another really good resource for vintagey lighting is Rejuvenation, out of Portland, I think. Nice reproductions.

Posted by: bob999 at April 25, 2007 11:38 AM

Ive always been very happy with their stuff.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 11:48 AM

I think RH is for the masses, check out Rejuvenation, they have excellent fixtures as well as hardware; everything from doorknobs to door bells (brass, not the plastic ones).. we got a bunch of fixtures and hardware there: http://www.rejuvenation.com

Posted by: Anon at April 25, 2007 11:49 AM

As an aside, I'm very much looking forward to Mr. B's new "Ask the Architect" feature. Mr. B, it's a great idea, and I expect that it will be very helpful!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 11:54 AM

say, is Mr B related to Edward R Butler? that would explain a lot :)

Posted by: Jimmy Legs at April 25, 2007 11:56 AM

You guys are funny. To most people, Restoration Hardware is fairly expensive. So is Rejuvination. Maybe not as expensive as the places you said are more expensive, but still expensive. Maybe I'm just poor. But we did get a nice ceiling fan from RH that is pretty cool. But it was expensive.

Posted by: Drew at April 25, 2007 11:57 AM

I would go with Rejuvenation Hardware instead, but yes, Restoration has okay stuff too.

Posted by: anon at April 25, 2007 12:14 PM

omg I'm a huge fan of Restoration Hardware and I agree with Drew I definitely think their prices are a bit rich for your average (ME) buyer but I save my pennies on other things (bought second hand from craigslist) to buy fabulous pieces here and there at RH.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 12:17 PM

Agreed Drew. Funny that it doesn't seem to strike anyone here that they all seem to decorate their homes from the same stores anyway, and in similar styles, but somehow there's something wrong with RH being "for the masses." They actually have pretty good quality stuff for a chain store, and I second the person who said that their sheets are good - I have a set and have found that they are durable, look nice and feel great.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 12:19 PM

I always thought RH was expensive too and I'm six figure poor.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 12:21 PM

Yes, they are expensive, but I got a card to a warehouse sale in NJ a while ago. The warehouse sale was awesome.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 12:28 PM

I think RH is espensive, but a better value than some places. Maybe it feels "for the masses" for some people, but it's a pretty luxurious swath of masses, IMO. Example: high-thread-count, high-quality sheets for a king bed will run you about $350 at RH--and they're great. You can't touch that at Pratesi for under a grand. Personally, I have trouble coughing up a grand for sheets--and I'm sure a lot of people would find $350 out of reach, too.

Posted by: bob999 at April 25, 2007 12:29 PM

I've had mixed results with Restoration Hardware. Most of what I've used has worked out just fine. I have had alot of trouble with one of their pressure balanced tub and shower valve sets though. Because of the way its constructed, the valve has to be installed in an extra thick wall - or else the diverter knob will stick WAY out. In other words - the valve has to be at least two inches behind your wall in order for the item to appear as it does in the catalogue. Hard to explain here but I'm happy to send photos if anyone is interested. My plumber didn't realize the valve required special treatment and just installed it as any comparable product would be installed - and now it looks kind of silly. Really ashame since this was the most expensive such item I used. I also used an American standard pressure balanced shower/tub filler without incident and a Kohler as well. Both were much less expensive and worked out ALOT better. The other issue with the product is that it turns off by itself if the water pressure drops below a certain level. For instance - if someone turns on the sink - the shower just turns off. Or if I turn the knob to make the water a little hotter - the pressure goes down ever so slightly and the shower turns off. Absolutely exasperating. Has anyone else had this experience? If I could I'd simply return the damn thing and get a Kohler instead but thats not an option as the valve is installed in the wall. I'd have to rip out tile and redo plumbing.

Posted by: cb at April 25, 2007 12:41 PM

CB That sucks, That is why you should not buy plumbing fixtures from a company that sells drapes.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 12:46 PM

Jeez - I thought it was the other way around - that I shouldn't buy drapes from a company that sells plumbing fixtures. I won't make the same mistake again!

Posted by: cb at April 25, 2007 12:49 PM

I hate to break it to the poster who said RH was "for the masses" but ALL PRODUCTS that are mass produced are for the masses.

Unless you have a private metal forging team in your basement, you have no choice but to buy something mass produced.

I think Mr. B was pointing out something that is mass produced and style appropriate for a brownstone.

And yes, RH is expensive. But isn't most everything that looks good?

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 1:16 PM

I should have clarified what I meant by RH being “for the masses” I meant that the quality is ok (not great) and its sold in chain stores. Rejuvenation has much better quality and since they sell direct their prices are a lot lower. We got the RH towels, Paradigm I think they are called, after a year they aren’t so great. It seems to me that RH is more about “style” than “quality” Good to know about the plumbing fixtures I actually liked those, but now will look elsewhere!

Posted by: Anon at April 25, 2007 1:21 PM

I bought RH towel racks and toilet paper holders for my bathrooms. Not cheap, but good quality and therefore, in my opinion, a good value.

Posted by: Park Sloper at April 25, 2007 1:24 PM

I recently used restoration hardware as a style guide to choose kitchen hardware.I then went on ebay and found a very close match to what I was looking for. Each piece ranged from 1.25 to 2.50$. They arrived yesterday and I am thrilled with the quality.Ebay is always a wonder.

Posted by: night owl at April 25, 2007 1:38 PM

Agree that their furniture is heinous -- very over-scaled and too traditional by far. But I like their lightning and apparently it's highly rated by folks in the biz.

Posted by: NeoGrec at April 25, 2007 2:25 PM

they also have terrific down slippers!!!

i have two pair and gave a ton out as gifts. everyone loved them!

Posted by: anon at April 25, 2007 2:27 PM

I have had bad experiences with Restoration Hardware for lighting. Also, the towels I purchased from them faded very quickly.

Better off with Rejuvenation for lighting.

I purchased a dozen Emtek crystal doorknobs to replace the nasty '70s ones we had, and am very happy with those.

For the record, I was very disappointed with Kohler fixtures I purchased for a bathroom reno, and they were not cheap.

Posted by: Erin Joslyn at April 25, 2007 3:53 PM

The Emtek crystal doorknobs are very nice - and a great pricepoint.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 4:16 PM

my experience - RH sheets and drapes are GREAT. lighting is pretty, but screwed up. the floor lamp i bought has a base that is cast wrong - it's a teeny bit crooked, so that the lamp part is a bit off, and needs to be tightened (by hand) every once in a while. i bought a gourd tabletop lamp, and had it rewired after only a few months. i suggest buying anything with NO MOVING PARTS from them.

Posted by: suzy at April 25, 2007 4:32 PM

i like their furniture, but it's for giants. nothing that would fit into a brownstone sized bedroom.

and i agree, it's expensive.

these must be the same people that look at every house and declare it needs a $500K reno MINIMUM.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 4:43 PM

Mixed experience w/RH. Some of the pulls I got became rusty and scratched, and the screws they supplied sucked ass. I had to use my own screws. I was surprised at the cheapness after spending no small change (about $6 per pull).

Their hardwired lighting worked for me after I sent back a first piece that was chipped in shipping. BUT, the nickel finish on their lighting doesn't work with fluorescent bulbs (gives off a rainbow tint), which are a must for me.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 6:06 PM

Most of Restoration Hardware's lighting and fans are made by the big name higher end companies like Minka, Murray Feiss, etc. They just slap their name on it.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 7:04 PM

Rejuvination does rock. The customer service is unbelieveably good--they're very knowledgeable. Prices are not cheao but after 7 years, the four fixtures I bought for them still look and operate amazingly well.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 7:07 PM

I give Rejuvenation an A+. Restoration Hardware is an overpriced mall store.

Posted by: anon at April 25, 2007 7:35 PM

We have fixtures in our home from rejuvenation, schoolhouseelectric (also kinda pricey but goegeous glass, nice finishes, great service), and this amazing little company out in seattle called revival lighting. i dealth only over email and loved the authentic lights they sold me.
RH towel bars pleased me greatly. The polished chrome finished is wonderful and the bars are dainty yet substantial. I was pleased.

Mr B. - who will the architect be?

Posted by: sab at April 25, 2007 8:12 PM

I think everything at Restoration Hardware is very expensive. Extremely expensive and much better value can be found elsewhere. Also, the furniture and much of the furnishings are completely inappropriate for Brownstones. They have Mission/Bungalow appropriate furniture for large Midwestern homes. RH, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel all sell the same oversized stuff.

Posted by: donatella at April 25, 2007 8:21 PM

I have to agree with some posters' comments about Rejuvenation -- we love the doorknobs we bought there. We had looked through bins at Olde Good Things and were shocked at the prices, then found perfectly acceptable reproductions at Rejuvenation for a fraction of the cost.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 26, 2007 12:44 AM

i agree with donatella and drew
the place is pretty expensive...

do you other guys go to Bloomingdale's to shop for laundry detergent??

i guess i am a proletarian.

Posted by: mr. peabody at April 26, 2007 12:44 AM

Why be bitter? Just don't shop there. We live in a Capitalist society not a commune.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 26, 2007 9:22 AM

Just got a postcard in the mail advertising a Restoration Hardware Warehouse Sale in Baltimore.

There is a page on their site: www.restorationhardware.com/warehouse sale

Posted by: Anonymous at May 4, 2007 3:43 PM

I've basically wasted several hundred dollars on RH towels. While they are very thick, the colors faded quickly and they are already full of snags and pulls in the fabric. Won't buy them again.

Posted by: guest at November 22, 2007 11:02 AM

i bought the "lancaster" leather sofa in "studio size" and really like it. however in the process of buying it came to hate RH. their customer service is beyond horrible, their information systems and communication to/from their vendors as well as to/from their customers is pretty much non-existent, and they are very quick to mislead (ie: lie) when you are talking to them on the phone. I ultimatley go them to discount the sofa by close to $1k. I like the sofa, but will never buy anything else from them again due to poor, poor service.

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 11:34 AM

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