Oct. 28--The new 40,000-square-foot RH West Hollywood, The Gallery on Melrose Avenue may feature classical columns and a grand staircase, but the retail concept is designed to reflect everyday scenarios at home.
"All of the lifestyle spaces are designed to approximate residential scale," explained Sausalito-based architect James Gillam during a recent tour of the new showroom.
Unlike some furniture stores, bedroom, living room and bathroom vignettes are not installed in separate categories. Here, bedrooms merge into adjacent bathrooms, just as they might in a home. The objective, Gillam said, is to help homeowners visualize how the pieces will work in their own living spaces.
"Our vision is to create an environment that blurs the lines between residential and retail, interiors and exteriors, offline and online, and celebrates the creative spirit of West Hollywood and the Los Angeles Design District," Restoration Hardware Chairman and Chief Executive Gary Friedman said in a statement.
Although the gallery setting concept may be new, the trademark Restoration Hardware goods remain: masculine tufted leather sofas and club chairs, elegant monochromatic linen furnishings and opulent lighting among them. Additionally, the store will feature a Ben Soleimani rug showroom, an interior design studio and a Bellocq organic tea atelier.
Perhaps the Melrose Avenue store's most striking detail, however, is its third-floor rooftop garden. The 10,000-square-foot space, shown above, resembles a park with its grove of olive trees, decomposed granite walkways, concrete fire pits and raised paver stones. The tranquil space, which is furnished with comfortable outdoor seating, is open to the community as a public space and will be available for special events.
RH West Hollywood, The Gallery on Melrose Avenue, 8564 Melrose Ave., Open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Valet parking. (310) 652-0323.
lisa.boone@latimes.com
