Let me start off by saying there is nothing wrong with it. Flipping through my new Restoration Hardware catalog for their Fall Collection, I can’t help but feel that burlap and linen have taken over our lives. Something that started with a lovely grain sack or French graphic pillow has drained the color from any of the settings shown in this catalog.
Spots of brown show up in mostly leather furniture and in some wood pieces, but otherwise every chair, every couch, every bedding item, every picture, every mirror, every bit of lighting looks bland to me. As I said, there is nothing wrong with it. It is the perfect collection for those who prefer a monochromatic color scheme, or for those who will buy the large pieces in this tone and then bring their own color in with art, pillows, throws, flowers.
I am underwhelmed by this latest offering from RH and while there is nothing wrong with it, it’s not for me. Each item on its own is lovely and beautiful and something I might purchase for my home, but it is not going into a room that looks like a sepia picture or a constant cloudy day.
I actually was excited to see some greenery in the picture below. What are your thoughts on this new Restoration Hardware collection? Do you think living in a whole house decorated this way might be depressing? Would you use these pieces as a base and bring in some color?
All photos from Restoration Hardware.
It's not my taste but I love reds and yellows and color makes me happy. Of course, living in the Northwest where we have lots of rain and gray, I need color to keep me feeling good in the winter. There's a color palate for everyone, huh?
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well you know that's not my color palatte! It all looks very calm and peaceful - needs some red :)
ReplyDeleteManuela
It didnt catch my eye at all.. I didn't really look, probably because everything was sooo vanilla!
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE the descriptive words you used in this post! I think RH's newest catalog is the IDEAL look for a gentleman's lodge. And I really like a lot of the products, but I would want to add some softness and color.
ReplyDeleteI like this look but I could never keep it as it is shown...color would creep in because I have to have SOME color. I am more of a pastel person. I love the shabby chic look, but can't do all white either.
ReplyDeleteIs the monochromatic look the way things are going? I look to the magazines and catalogs to be a sort of gauge or forecast where things are going. Love burlap and linen but can live without a ton of brown!
xoxo
Jane
Kathy, girl I'm so glad you said this...It's just another fab that will fade like they all do...But a colorful world will always be in style..I myself could not live in a house without color or looks like everyone else's house...they call it french junk look..I call it void...But then I'm also sick of seeing all white chippy furniture...Great post Kathy..Hope you have a GREAT weekend my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I received the catalog yesterday and my thoughts were exactly that!! The faded monotone look seems to have taken over their entire line. I think this can often be successfully done with shades of white, but nothing lights up these rooms at all.
ReplyDeleteOk, my comment went poof. Yes, I do agree. I love each individual item, however I don't want to live in a beige world. I would definitely add some color. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteOh, Kathy, how funny that you should post this!
ReplyDeleteOur living room (hubby picked out the furniture) is monochrome in those very colors and there is just a touch of blue in some wall art, but our living room and dining room connect and the back wall of the dining room is a deep wine color so there is some color.
But I wanted to add some color to the couch and loveseat so this week I bought a fabric that has some blues, reds in it and I made a pillow cover. I like it and now I'm going to go buy some more fabric in solid colors to go with that one pillow (it was expensive fabric so only bought 1/2 yard). It's Waverly Romantic Overtures Stripe Ensemble Robin. Even on sale it's expensive!
xxoo
Marsha
Hi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. This look from RH looks industrial. To sterile and clean looking and yes, drab and despressing. To pull this off you would have to have tons of windows and light streaming in all over the place. I like some of their pieces but for me I would only buy them for basics and add some color.
You know I love burlap but I also believe in adding color with burlap and softening it with ruffles and trim.
Great post and good points.
hugs
Sissie
I agree...I like the look but it's a bit boring for my tastes. I like a pop of color - nothing too dramatic though. It would definitely look better with some colorful accent pieces.
ReplyDeleteJeanine
You know, I like there things but don't like the "colorless" ness either! lol
ReplyDeleteAs a regular reader of your blog, I wanted to let you know about Atticmag's new linky party - Giveaway Friday! It's a convenient place for bloggers to link their giveaways each week. We've kicked it off with a fantastic giveaway of our own. Five lucky winners will win material to do a backsplash in their homes. Hope to see you there!
Allison
Atticmag
i flipped through the catalog and thought it was all gorgeous, but then it felt more like a magazine than a catalog.
ReplyDeleteWell I love it! I love all these pieces! Of course, I would add different bright colorful fabrics to the chairs and sofa or those furniture pieces would look great repainted in bold beautiful color! And let's not forget the walls for heavens sake, they need color! Gotcha. LOL! I totally get where your coming from. This look is not for me either as shown but probably could be tweeked quite nicely.
ReplyDeleteI keep going back and forth on the whole monochromatic color scheme debate. I see the beauty in it but still just not sure if I could ever live with! I agree that these rooms are blah. Flat. They need life! A pop of Color!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Kathy! Keep us thinking!
I kinda felt like you, It came I got excited, opened it up and went hmm
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite issue of the catalog by a long shot
Not in my colorful world. Actually i like some of the pieces, the mirror, but all to bland. needs punches of color!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I had a client over and we were looking through a bunch of catalogs for a few items and when I pulled out RH, the client said, "oh, that one put me to sleep as I paged through it, how could you live in a space with one color throughout?" I love so many of the pieces, but when everything has the same tone and texture it does become less than inspiring. Janell
ReplyDeleteKathy
ReplyDeleteGreat post I enjoyed it very much. Of course you know me I have to have colors.
You still could do a lot with these pieces by adding colors.
Hope your having a great weekend honey.
I so appreciate you leaving me your wonderful comments
Love
Maggie
Hi Kathy, have to agree with you to some extent.
ReplyDeleteThe pieces are beautiful, but not all one tone/color. esp. brown! They all need some color.
Of course, if you just want to lay around all day
in a calm, peaceful enviornment, with nothing to stir up the brain...Go for it!
Have a great week end.
Smiles and Blessings,
Nancy
I have to agree with L, your descriptive words are great! And yes this look was all the rage at Market two years ago. Somehow potterybarn and Restoration are taking over the world with this look!
ReplyDeleteamanda
I am not a big fan of the monochromatic look but some of the individual pieces are very attractive. To me these rooms definitely need color.
ReplyDeleteI adore those rooms. They are so serene-looking. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I think you chose the best of the rooms in the catalog. Some were just bizarre. I understand rebranding your line, but how they could have gotten rid of their colors is beyond me. I actually walked through the showroom, which felt better than the catalog, but still-- it was gray and brown. Sad.
ReplyDeleteAnd can I just say, and I know it's controversial... but seriously, BURLAP? That has to be the most uncomfortable fabric out there besides, perhaps, pleather.