When you see celebrities like Lionel Richie and Jimmy Fallon pop up on your social media, singing “Hello, is it me you’re looking for?”, it feels like a cosmic reminder. It’s like realizing you’ve been searching for something, and suddenly it’s right in front of you. In my case, it was the debut issue of RH Teen, nestled among my mail.
To be clear, I wasn’t actively seeking out the latest teen catalog from Restoration Hardware. My teenage years were in the ’80s, when our ideas of decor came straight from John Hughes films, friends’ spaces, and the lava lamps at Spencer’s Gifts. My sole room makeover consisted of a new rug, mirrored sliding doors, and walls plastered with posters of The Outsiders (Stay gold, Ponyboy).
In contrast, my kids are lucky enough to have a plethora of decorating choices. We usually go for Ikea and funky thrift store finds, but Restoration Hardware seems to think there’s a place for RH Teen in our home. So, I decided to take a closer look. Here are five points that stood out to me about RH Teen products:
1. The Pieces Speak for Themselves
The “Perfect Somewhere” bedroom is presented with no further explanation other than it being “the one place where you write the rules.” But who exactly is “you”? Is it the teens, or their parents who will end up footing the $12,000 bill for that furniture set? A suggestion for RH Teen: perhaps include a built-in exit strategy in that perfect desk drawer, as teens whose parents invest heavily in their bedrooms often become young adults reluctant to leave the nest.
2. The Chaise Dilemma
The Rylin Tufted White Velvet Chaise and Loveseat Lounge Set comes in at a staggering $3,419. I have to ask: do RH Teens not snack while lounging? Because the teens I know love both lounging and munching. The white velvet chaise would only work if their diet consists solely of milk and yogurt—definitely a niche market there!
3. Confusing Messaging
The “All Good Things Are Wild and Free” quote art is priced at $139, which raises the question: if art is a good thing, why isn’t it free? Does this mean the art is mediocre—justifying its price? And how does this fit into the “Perfect Somewhere” bedroom that costs a fortune? So many questions.
4. The Irony of Perfection
The sign that says “perfect is boring” ($199) inadvertently calls into question the very essence of the “Perfect Somewhere” bedroom. Are you implying your own decor is dull?
5. A Different Kind of Aspirational
For those seeking a simpler message, the “I Want It All Pillow” ($49) is just the ticket. It’s a great way to inspire teens to reach for their dreams, as long as they don’t also want the $1,799 Orbit Faux Fur Chair!
In all fairness, RH Teen, you’ve missed a few essential elements. You’ve catered to well-heeled adults and their toddlers, but teens are the last frontier for you. Here are some suggestions from a real parent of a teen and tween:
If you gifted adults that hefty 17-pound set of Restoration Hardware sourcebooks last summer, can’t teens at least get a couple of catalogs? How about a new sourcebook in the RH Teen line titled “Trough and Hook”?
Many parents will agree: when presented with their clean laundry, some teens do little more than stare blankly. Those fancy dressers? They’ll likely go unused while clothes accumulate in what can only be described as an artistic mess. Enter the trough—these long, shallow containers originally designed for feeding livestock are now a must-have for teenage laundry. Starting at $599, troughs provide an open space for clothes without the hassle of drawers.
And what about those who can’t be bothered with hangers? Introducing hooks! Imagine a weathered hook made from reclaimed metal, perfect for tossing clothes without the fuss of hangers. Each RH Teen hook will set you back $120, but hey, it saves your teen time for lounging!
However, there will always be parents who prefer DIY solutions, like creating something from items found in their basement.
And let’s not forget that little thing called saving for college. To those parents, I say: stay gold. If your teen insists on a room from RH Teen, consider showing them the “It Is What It Is” metallic gold foil art ($179) and then together, take that catalog to the recycling bin, smiling as you say “Carpe Diem” ($399), which is essentially a crumpled piece of paper—definitely an artful joke.
In conclusion, while RH Teen might be trying, they still have a long way to go before they truly understand the teen market, and hey, we all appreciate a little recycling.
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Summary
In a humorous take on the RH Teen catalog, the author critiques the extravagant pricing, confusing messaging, and impracticality of the products, while also suggesting a need for more relatable options.
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