Who buys this stuff?

So I used to love Restoration Hardware.

When I lived in Arlington, VA, I’d walk across the Key bridge into Georgetown, and browse at the beautiful boutiques and home decor shops, including a stop in Restoration Hardware. I was young and had a limited budget, but I still managed to occasionally find a little something I loved in my price range.

Not any more.

I was flipping through the latest catalog of Restoration Hardware the other day. And, I realized how much time must have passed since my days in DC.

I’m baffled at who jumps up and down when they open their catalog and finally locate their much-sought-after $1000 ‘authentic deer antlers’ chandelier, the 99-inch-tall 19th Century Calipers for $400, 11 1/2-inch Stone Sphere for $90, and my favorite: the reproduction of a 100-year-old Hungarian Sleigh, crafted of solid elm with a tea-stained burlap cushion. The Sleigh is meant for only ‘occasional seating’ by the way. I would be thrilled to meet the person with these items on their wish list.

Restoration Hardware used to be filled with fun retro games, beautiful soothing colored furnishings that I couldn’t help but touch, and quaint little touches of collectibles.

The scale of the images in the current catalog are dramatic, somber, and heavy. I get that they are trying to incorporate the more ‘architecturally’ relevant restoration pieces from around the globe. But, who buys this stuff for their homes?

It’s just not the whimsically fresh Restoration Hardware of my younger days. I guess we’ve both changed, and I’ll be polite, Restoration Hardware, and say: It’s not you, really. It’s me.