NOW THIS IS A FURNITURE STORE

Recently I visited the incredible Restoration Hardware Chicago Flagship Store in the Historic Three Arts Club. Now this is a furniture store! Or is it?

Well, in actuality it is much, much, more than simply a furniture store. This 70,000-square-foot, six-floor, extravagant exposition hall is more like a gallery of fine furniture as well as fine food, served up together in what feels like the finest address in the Windy City. In fact, it is located in the tony Gold Coast neighborhood, an affluent, mostly residential area defined by its stately homes and upscale shopping and dining set along quaint, tree-lined streets.

RH CEO Gary Friedman wanted his newest concept stores to “blur the lines between retail, home and hospitality.” And speaking of hospitality, word has it that Restoration Hardware is planning to open an RH “Guest House,” a 12-room hotel in New York City and potentially in Chicago too.

So, it was on a snowy morning on our recent trip to visit our Chicago dwelling son that we decided to see what this exciting new shopping concept was all about. There was probably no better way to while away a frigid winter day than inside this dreamy establishment.  After traversing the front steps we entered an expansive foyer, the centerpiece of which is this lovely statue. In truth, I felt more like I was entering a museum, albeit a warm and inviting museum, rather than a furniture store.

The imposing brick building envelopes an inner courtyard which houses the 3 Arts Club Cafe. It’s a collaboration between Friedman and Brendan Sodikoff, the Chicago restaurateur behind the popular Doughnut Vault, Gilt Bar and Au Cheval.

At the center of the tree-filled atrium is a swank chandelier which is suspended over a imposing fountain.

They don’t accept reservations at this popular dining spot so upon arrival you place your name on a list that could require up to a 2 hour wait for a table, or a couch. You dine on Restoration Hardware furniture, all of which is for sale.

In the meantime you can grab a latte or cup of tea and a pastry or donut at the adjacent 3 Arts Club Pantry and enjoy it as you peruse the 6 floors of truly inspirational showrooms.

Or, if you prefer, select a glass of wine or Prosecco from the 3 Arts Wine Vault and Tasting Room.

With provisions in hand you’re invited to wander the 6 floors of showrooms, each one featuring a different aspect of the company’s wide range of furnishings. The furniture is arranged in rooms set up to look like an actual home, with the ground floor dedicated to Living Room furniture.

Many of the areas feature the original fireplaces and fountains that ornamented the original 100-year-old-building.

Moving on up to the 1st floor we found lovely dining rooms with pretty table decor.

Sumptuous bedrooms were installed with adjoining bathrooms, all beautifully appointed with RH products. I felt right at home in this truly inspiring setting, especially because I am hard at work designing my latest fixer-upper.

We are also in the market for a new bedroom set for our guest room, so I really enjoyed seeing the beds made up in RH’s beautiful bedding ensembles.

We traversed another level of the building and found ourselves in the RH Teen and RH Baby & Child departments. What a fantasyland for youngsters! Here Restoration Hardware has created what is nothing short of a fairyland of fancy rooms for babies, boys and girls. I could have only dreamed of residing in such a room when I was a young girl.

Then there were cribs with golden crowns…

and fort-like bunkbeds perfect for sleepovers.

This cabin-like bedroom would be the ideal boy’s retreat in a mountain home here in Lake Arrowhead.

And my future daughter-in-law confessed that she dreams of a baby nursery just like this one for her future offspring.

You can even sit down here and take tea with the bears.

Or take your baby on an African safari.

One floor up was Restoration Hardware’s newest collection called RH Modern. The oversized couches and austere designs did nothing for my own “classic” design sensibility. But hey, something for everybody, right? Including perhaps the super-sized humans that might find this exaggeratingly large sofa comfortable. My average sized son found it humorously large.

The top floor of The Gallery is an outdoor oasis that even in winter felt like an escape. Here a flood of light illuminated the rooftop conservatory as a gentle snowfall blanketed the exterior space. It is in this area that the RH Outdoor Collections are on display, reminding everyone that spring may arrive sometime soon and you better get ready.

I really admired the lifelike faux succulents on display in attractive arrangements.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to RH Chicago’s Gallery at the Three Arts Club. After an hour and a half of wandering the rooms the Cafe hostess informed us that it would be at least another 30 minutes until a table would be available for brunch. So, unfortunately we did not get to dine at the 3 Arts Club Cafe this time. I’m told you need to arrive when the doors open to secure a table without a very long wait. Perhaps I’ll try again next time I’m visiting Chicago.

RH Chicago, The Gallery at the Three Arts Club

1300 North Dearborn Parkway, Chicago
Phone: 312.475.9116
Email: chicago@rh.com
Hours: Sunday 11am-7pm, Monday – Saturday 10am-9pm

This was not a sponsored post. I simply like sharing the places I enjoy.

So there you have it: NOW THIS IS A FURNITURE STORE

Thanks so much for dropping in! 

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All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are the original property of Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com and may not be reproduced without specific permission.