RH
From a hardware store in Eureka to galleries the size of museums
- Founded
- 1979, Eureka, California
- Founder
- Stephen Gordon
- Former name
- Restoration Hardware (renamed RH in 2012)
- Headquarters
- Corte Madera, California
- Chairman and CEO
- Gary Friedman
Written by Evelien Bunnik-RemmeltsCo-Founder and CEO, WhoppahRH is the American furniture brand that began life as Restoration Hardware, founded by Stephen Gordon in Eureka, California in 1979. It sold fittings for old houses before it sold sofas. The company shortened its name to RH in 2012 and is based in Corte Madera, California, with Gary Friedman as chairman and CEO. Today it's known for oversized upholstery, reclaimed-wood tables and huge gallery stores, including a restored 1864 building in Boston's Back Bay and an English country estate at Aynho Park. On Whoppah you'll find RH pieces that have already lived a first life, and our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live. I think RH is one of the few big American retailers whose best upholstery genuinely holds up on the secondhand market, so it's worth knowing which models to look for and how to judge condition.
How did Restoration Hardware become RH?
Stephen Gordon opened the first Restoration Hardware in Eureka, California in 1979, selling hardware and fixtures to people restoring older homes. It grew into a lifestyle store, and the headquarters settled in Corte Madera in 1995.
The real turn came after Gary Friedman joined in 2001 from Williams-Sonoma. Under him the brand went bigger, quieter and more monochrome, dropped the old name for RH in 2012, and started building galleries instead of shops. Boston's Back Bay gallery opened in 2013 inside a brick and brownstone building from 1864. In 2023 RH opened its first European location, The Gallery at Aynho Park in Northamptonshire, on 73 acres.
Which RH pieces are worth buying secondhand?
The Cloud modular sofa is the one everyone asks about. It's credited to designer Timothy Oulton and built as deep, slipcovered cubes that you can rearrange. I think the Cloud earned its reputation, but it's a lounging sofa, not a sit-up-straight sofa. Know that before you fall for it.
The Maxwell is the more structured choice, with a higher seat and upright back, and RH says it's bench-made in Hickory, North Carolina with eight-way hand-tied springs. Beyond sofas, look at the reclaimed-wood dining tables and the big linen-covered beds. Those are the pieces that carry the RH look into a room.
What should I check before buying used RH furniture?
Start with the label. Most RH upholstery carries a tag under the cushions or on the deck with the collection name, which helps you confirm the model. Then press the seat. Down-and-feather cushions flatten over time, so ask whether they've been refluffed or refilled, and ask for photos of the inserts, not just the covers.
For slipcovered pieces like the Cloud, check that the covers are original and still fit tightly. On wood tables, reclaimed finishes hide small marks well, but look for cracks along the joins and wobble in the base. And measure your doorways. RH makes big furniture, and a nine-foot sofa has to get into your home first.
How does RH fit into a real home?
RH works best when you give it space and restraint. One big sofa in oatmeal linen, a heavy wood table, and then stop. Mix it with a vintage lamp or a designer chair so the room doesn't look like a showroom.
Secondhand is honestly the smarter way in. You get the scale and comfort without the new-piece wait, and you give a well-made sofa a second home instead of a landfill.
“The Cloud sofa is worth the hype, as long as you want to sink, not sit.”
Frequently asked questions
Is RH the same company as Restoration Hardware?
Yes. Restoration Hardware was founded in 1979 and renamed itself RH in 2012. Older pieces may still carry the Restoration Hardware label.
Where is RH furniture made?
It varies by piece. RH says the Maxwell sofa is bench-made in Hickory, North Carolina, while other collections are produced elsewhere, so check the label on the piece you're looking at.
Does RH upholstery hold up secondhand?
The better upholstered models usually do, especially frames with hand-tied springs. Down-filled cushions flatten, so ask the seller about refilling and ask for photos of the inserts.
How do I recognize an RH piece?
Look for a label under the seat cushions or on the underside with the RH or Restoration Hardware name and often the collection name. Scale is a clue too: RH pieces tend to be deeper and longer than average.
Can I sell my RH sofa on Whoppah?
Yes. Add clear photos, the collection name and measurements, and our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live.
If you've been eyeing a Cloud or a Maxwell, set a saved search on Whoppah and let the right one come to you. And if yours no longer fits your space, sell it here: someone is waiting for exactly that sofa.