Restoration Hardware: A Solid Middle Ground?
We 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…
We 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 $24, depending on whether you opt for the antique brass, polished nickel, satin nickel, polished chrome or oil-rubbed bronze finish. There are some nice hinges as well. Has anyone used any of this stuff?
On a related note, we will be starting a new feature in a couple of weeks called Ask The Architect, so start getting your questions ready.
I recently used restoration hardware as a style guide to choose kitchen hardware.I then went on ebay and found a very close match to what I was looking for. Each piece ranged from 1.25 to 2.50$. They arrived yesterday and I am thrilled with the quality.Ebay is always a wonder.
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.
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!
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?
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!
CB That sucks, That is why you should not buy plumbing fixtures from a company that sells drapes.
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.
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.
Yes, they are expensive, but I got a card to a warehouse sale in NJ a while ago. The warehouse sale was awesome.