I'm not sure how your week has been sizing up, but at Tile Envy it's been a blur. Today hit me like a ton of bricks especially when I realized I was running late with this week's post. Luckily, early on I was engaged in a whirlwind of a lunch/chat with the delightful (and talented!) team at Kerrie Kelly's Design Lab in Sacramento and our conversation reminded me that I have a post I'd been writing off and on that I could finish up just in time.
BTW- If you don't know Kerrie Kelly, you should. She's lovely, talented and so prolific she makes me feel like I'm perpetually napping. Her recently authored design book- Home Decor: A Sunset Design Guide is a must-have for any showroom providing interior design advice, or anyone just wanting to rearrange their nest.
But during our visit we got to preview some of Tilevera's newest tiles and the conversation turned to Restoration Hardware's new amazing look. So this week, how perfect to finish that conversation by sharing just how Tile Envy rates the new digs at Restoration Hardware.
By now everyone within a few miles of a mailbox should have had a glimpse at the complete turnabout at Restoration Hardware. I think that part of my own love of their new look is just how much different it is from their previous one.
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It was probably at least 10 years ago that I began watching the greater part of the American design psyche move like a big school of fish toward RH's clean, bright take on traditional. Didn't we all love that RH blue paint (or was it green?) famously known as Silver Sage? Combined with the white painted cabinets, nickel hardware and black soapstone counters, that look began to show up everywhere. Should I go out on a limb and say RH may have single-handedly re-launched the subway tile?
It's easy to see why this style became such a beloved classic for so long. What's not to love? But after a decade, even a classic can get worn out. Now, in a complete about face- RH has transformed their bright, light and airy feel- to warm, tufted and weathered. Was it the optimism of an era that was too good to be true vs. this new celebration of the past (in a slightly more weathered, dark and somber rendition?).
I have a feeling that this latest design opus, created by Restoration Hardware's CEO Gary Friedman, is going to sweep the country much in the same way that his previous take on Americana did- maybe even more. I say this because he now has tapped into a wellspring of the new notion of luxury- a celebration of the master craftsman as much as the product's he creates. Attaching the human touch to all of RH's new goodies are to be found everywhere, from photograph's to product descriptions.
Seeing the photos of RH's impassioned impressarios - whether antique collectors, furniture designers, etc- I was thrilled to see that something with the power of Restoration Hardware would be sharing this new connection to the maker as well as their wares.
Now a closer look at some of Tile Envy's favorite RH picks-
PRO'S
Deep neutral tones- burlap, metallic and stone colors
Texture, texture, texture
beautiful lines
A yummy nod to the classics
CONS-
Where are you going to put some of these behemoth sizes???
Borders on kitsch
Maybe too dark- (is there such a thing?)
Love it or leave it- there's a commitment here to a very strong and dominating look that I just think might be some of the best Friedman has come up with. Tile Envy's prediction is that their new look is poised to set the new design trends just like they did a decade ago. I can personally attest to the fact that the Tile Envy headquarters (our own little shack) has begun to follow their lead.
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Many of you have been inquiring about my own latest passion - Cle' -an eboutique presentation of all the best tile artisans from around the world. Like Restoration Hardware- it will be a celebration of the artisans along with their wares. We can't wait to share it with everyone.
