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Restoration Hardware-- any experience?

post #1 of 10
4/5/09 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 
We have to refill a summer house that's getting a bit of work done, and had thought to try a sofa and some bath hardware from Restoration Hardware as it looks about like what we want and appears to be reasonably well-made. Any experiences to share on that front? Alternate purveyors to sample?
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post #2 of 10
4/5/09 at 7:44pm
Nice stores with a lot of interesting stuff. I've never purchased any big ticket items from there though.
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post #3 of 10
4/5/09 at 8:06pm
Their hardware is overpriced. I used to be a merchandise buyer of bath hardware (not for Restoration). Much of it is from the same factories that Home Depot, Lowe's, and even Target use, but at a 100-300% premium. Their margins on bath hardware have got to be redonkulous (hardware in general is a high margin product group though).

Can you show me a pull or knob that you're looking at? What finishes are you interested in (polished chrome, satin nickle, oil rubbed bronze, 'rust', etc?)

I did find it very instructive how much premium they could charge by putting the same products in a different location, different store, with a different atmosphere. I guess that's part of J.Crew's success in selling Made in China silk ties for $60 that you can buy for $15 at JC Penny.

I typed in 'cabinet pull' at Home Depot and Lowe's online and got 1000 and 700 results. Both of their webstores have a much bigger selection than their in-stock store selections. A few years ago they used to offer free shipping all the time, or free shipping if you order more than $50 (not hard with bath hardware). Not sure if they are still doing that or not.

Even Target lists 400+ pieces online, although in person only their biggest stores will have it stocked and then only from 3ft to maybe 9ft of aisle space.

PM me if you want to know more about cabinet knobs, pulls, and hinges than you ever dreamed of.
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post #4 of 10
4/5/09 at 9:37pm
Thread Starter 
Not just knobs per se-- faucets, showers, that sort of thing. New bathrooms.

Nickel finish, slightly old-fashioned designs wanted.
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post #5 of 10
4/6/09 at 12:48am
We just finished a huge reno, we used RH in our bathrooms, as they make very highquality vanities with really thick marble tops. They are really expensive, but worth it.
Their finishes are very good.
They have outlets, where the price to value ratio goes up considerably.

We purchased 3 double sink vanities
2 single
All the bathroom hardware
Towels etc.

We have bought some furniture.

If you are looking for sofas and what not, I would look at Lee in S.C. Lee is an awesome brand and you can go through a local distributor and get like 50% off retail (mid to expensive at retail).

They have amazing construction and very wonderful designs/fabrics (like a suit!).

Oh, RH are idiots, they totaly messed up or orders and ended up only charging us for about 20% of what we ordered, after repeated attempts to give them their money back, I gave up.
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post #6 of 10
4/6/09 at 1:02am
We found some accessories there at good prices, like mirrors, but the furniture is expensive for what you get.

We bought a lot of furniture at Ralph Lauren when they have had their twice a year floor sample sales. I got a $850 lamp recently for $175. It is beautiful.
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post #7 of 10
4/6/09 at 1:43am
i own several deco leather chairs, some lamps and bathroom fixtures. furniture is great - mine were made through a company called mitchell / gold. I've been quite happy with the products and continue to frequent the stores/catalogs.
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post #8 of 10
4/6/09 at 1:59am
i've used their paint, window treatments, bath towels and rugs as well as a towel bar and towel ring i picked up there.

all really decent quality imo. most of what i got was on sale tho so that helps.
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post #9 of 10
4/6/09 at 2:07am
Nice candles too. I wonder who makes them for RH.
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post #10 of 10
4/6/09 at 9:34am
http://www.herbeau.com
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