Jeff Bezos strives to make Amazon the destination where consumers can discover and buy anything they want to buy online. Gary Friedman, the genius behind RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), wants to be the retail experience where the focus is on interaction, and not the transaction. Which sounds more appealing to you?
Gary’s 60,000 square foot mansion opened last night for an invitation only Pre-opening party at International Plaza where a tunnel of waiters bearing Cipriani Bellini’s guided guests to the door of what can only be describe as a wonderland!
Dedicated to sourcing the finer things in life RH does not stop at home décor; music, contemporary art and wine have their places in the space. At the entrance, RH Record Label artists performed while people enjoyed gallery art created for the RH Contemporary Art Program by artists across the country. The company even has a winery in Napa Valley!
The RH gallery fills four floors including the newly launched RH Modern and RH Teen lines.
While Baby-Boomers sunk into soft supple couches in RH Interiors on the first floor Millennials were heard saying, “Wow, I want to live here!” in RH Modern on the second floor.
RH Baby & Child and RH Teen are on the third floor but beware, this floor will make you WANT a baby! The artwork is spectacular on every floor. I especially loved the collection of baby animal lithographs.
The teen boy rooms were wondrous, inviting and daring in their design. Themes ran from patriotism, to sports and even a dog house like cabin bed that you have to see for yourself. Design staff were friendly and helpful, encouraging guests to get comfy, take a seat, relax and enjoy the stunning atmospheres. RH isn't just about the furnishings anymore, RH is an experience.
A stunning mirrored staircase carries you from floor to floor, we used the 'decorator elevator', appointed like a sitting room, to the fourth floor and the RH Rooftop Park and Conservatory to relax on luxurious outdoor furniture, under contemporary crystal lighting while sipping on a Napa Valley white from the RH Vineyard. (No red we were told, because of the furniture).
Hors d'oeuvres were passed in abundance through the night switching to delicious desert bites at 9 pm. This is a pear and walnut tart and an amazing cookie holding a truffle milk chocolate center with burnt marshmallow and graham cracker crumbs on top. The S'mores are why I could not sleep last night! That and maybe a little over-stimulation from everything I saw, heard, ate and enjoyed at RH last night.
I recommend exploring RH at night time so you can experience RH Rooftop under the stars. The views are spectacular!
We enjoy congregating in pretty places; RH is one of those places!
We played Ping Pong on a polished solid concrete ping pong table, Pool on a concrete pool table and rocked out as an old friend entertained the crowd banging away on an old drum kit. Not sure if it stays, there was a candy bar on the kids floor that put every candy bar anywhere to shame! If you liked it as a kid, that candy was on this bar at some time during the evening. I will be curious to see if the Candy Bar is a permanent fixture. Defined as "the most comprehensive high-end home shopping experience in the world" you do not want to miss the RH experience. The official ribbon-cutting took place today at 11:00 (11/13/2015) with mayor Bob Buckhorn officiating, doors are open tonight until 7 pm. Regular hours are: Sundays 11 am to 6 pm and Monday - Saturday 10 am to 9 pm Holiday hours may vary. 
Welcome RH, you have certainly brightened International Plaza and home design here on the West Coast in beautiful Tampa Bay.
Experience it for yourself, you will be amazed by what I haven't shown!
I hope you enjoyed this peek into the party through; RH Tampa's Grand-Opening Pre-Party: A Sensational Experience and look forward to hearing what you think about the latest addition to the shops at International Plaza in Tampa by commenting below. We enjoy reading your comments!
