Restoration Hardware: new flatware line

I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email from Restoration Hardware introducing their new tableware. I never saw it coming, but it does make sense for them to try to offer more variety than just furnishings.  Their new tableware includes the typical dinnerware, serveware, glasses, entertaining pieces,  some table linens, and my favourite: flatware. You see, hubby and I have got a thing for flatware – well, let’s just say that he actually cares about what I buy in that department more than normal.  I don’t know what it is exactly, but he has no opinion on dishes,or most other home things I get,  however when it comes to flatware, it’s like a different story. He’s very picky, and he will only let me buy “quality” flatware - whatever that means.  His  most recent request has been for flatware made with wood.  A long time ago, I was enamored with flatware that I saw in a magazine, and I showed it to him, and of course, he loved it too, and ever since, we've both been trying to find something similar. You’d think it’d be quite easy to find, but seriously, we haven’t had any luck at all in probably 2 years. They’re either not the right wood tone, or not well made enough for him.

Lucky for us, there seems to be a few styles that we both actually love from RH – even if they’re not all wood.

This first one is made with wood handles, and I love how they're not too chuncky. The colour is darker than I would prefer, but still absolutely handsome.

Bois

I totally ADORE this one below. It's made with horn, which has that great natural ombre finish. It feels so special and totally says LUXE to me. Sooo nice!

Natural Horn

 

Natural Horn Serving Set

And this one below, I must absolutely have! It's made from bone. I love the warm colour and the character. It almost looks like wood from far, and has that look that we've been after for so long.

Natural Bone

 

Natural Bone Cheese Knives

I also love this. It looks like hand-wrought iron, but it's done in a more modern form, which provides beautiful balance and constrast.

Foundry

Knowing that RH usually produces good quality stuff, I'm really excited to go check these out in person at the store. I'm hoping they will feel as good as they look!  NOTE: In case you're going to hit the store, I went to RH at Bayview Village yesterday and they didn't have anything in stock to display as of yet. Likely will be in the next week they said.

Which one is your favourite?

REVIEW: My first encounter with THRESHOLD by Target...LOVE

The excitement was palpable. Like so many others, I had been eagerly waiting for the opening of Target in Ontario with great anticipation. I mean, who doesn’t love Target, and how many times have we, Canucks, crossed the border to check out the store?  There’s just something about it, right? When I found out that some stores opened up last week, I just HAD to make a visit over the weekend ( even if it meant having to drive like 2 towns away to get to the nearest opened location!) I could hardly contain my excitement when I finally got to the store. This was a grand moment, and I was so giddy.  And let me tell you, it was well worth the drive, as I fell in love...with Threshold.

I was completely blown away by the new Target brand. As I hadn’t heard about it before, I had no idea what this was.  My first stop was in the bedding section, and what caught my eye were these beautiful bedding – the prints were gorgeous, the colours so yummy, and bonus, it was organic. And this is when I was introduced to Threshold. I mean, the packaging alone was so beautiful – so simple, but perfectly elegant at the same time.  I’m a sucker for pretty packaging, and fonts, and this one had me at hello. You could feel the quality, the design – which is so fitting to their tag line: Quality & Design.  I just wanted to grab everything – the blue green floral bedding, the grey ikat, the pink and grey floral, and so many more. I literally raided what was left – and didn’t get some other duvet covers because they ran out of King size. How could I pass them up? I love a beautiful bed, and these were right up my alley and totally reasonably priced.  See what I mean below?

 

After my excitement in the bedding section, I was met with more goodies in the lighting section. This is when I realized Threshold was a collection that extended to other products , not just limited to bedding.  Hallelujah. Again, I was taken by the selection of pretty lamp bases and totally on- trend lamp shades of every style.  I love that you could mix and match to your heart’s desire, and I still couldn’t believe that this was all offered at Target?!  All these decorating redesigns of my home were rushing through my head. I had to contain myself from going overboard, so I decided to be reasonable and only picked a new beautiful blue lampshade, which had this rustic vintage feel, and selected a wooden lamp base to go with it. These would be going in our guest room (really the grandparents’ room), to coordinate with the new blue green floral bedding I had picked out earlier. Oh, how lovely this was coming together already!  Just thinking about the freshened room in my head made me smile even more.

And then there were so many other beautiful accessories, stools, pillows, candles, dinnerware, etc.   I was literally feeling like a kid in a candy store. I wanted EVERYTHING! They did such a good job with the displays in the stores, and I loved also how they showcased the Threshold products in a home environment on the product’s package, so you could imagine how it would feel and look like in your space. Kudos to the creative team - very well done, and in such a sophisticated way. It gave me so many ideas and I was trying to be discreet, snapping pictures with my phone of the package photo so I could remember how to style things at home.  I know, I’m crazy like that but it’s an awesome visual to have.

I could have spent more hours in the store if it wasn’t for my daughter telling me she was hungry – poor girl, it was well past lunch time, and I was so enchanted with all the goodies that I totally didn’t realize how late it was.  We would definitely have to come back – and very soon.

After I returned home, I looked up more information about Threshold and sure enough, it is the new Target home brand – which was in the making for awhile, but is making its full force debut as we speak.  I also came upon this tv ad for it. Fantastic. Captures the spirit of Spring beautifully, don’t you think?

I also love this ad spread, which I found here -  it’s so well styled and fresh, and makes me want to infuse my home with all those pretty things! I can’t wait for my next visit!!  They say first impressions are everything, and I’m totally crushing over Threshold’s Spring collection. In my opinion, it’s a total home run as a first introduction on Canadian grounds.  But don’t just take my word for it, and check it out yourself if you’re lucky enough to have a location popping up in your area. I have a feeling my love affair with Target/ Threshold is just going to keep on getting better - and I couldn’t be happier!