Our recent visit to Restoration Hardware at Aynhoe House, guided by the wonderfully knowledgeable Kyle, was a truly enjoyable experience, offering insight into their trademark contemporary luxury in a beautiful historic setting.
About Restoration Hardware
Founded in 1979 in California, Restoration Hardware began as a modest business specializing in high-quality reproductions of historic hardware. From these beginnings, RH has evolved into one of the world’s most influential interior brands, famous for its quiet luxury vibe.
RH draws inspiration from classical architecture, European craftsmanship, and traditional materials, reinterpreting them for modern living. Their collections are defined by generous, architectural proportions and a muted, tonal palette of stone, linen, oak, and aged metals.
Today, RH is also known for its immersive galleries around the world. These are not conventional showrooms, but curated environments – often housed in historic or landmark buildings – designed to inspire visitors. Aynhoe House is one of the most extraordinary of their showrooms! A Mayfair showroom is opening soon.
About Aynhoe House
Set in the Northamptonshire countryside, Aynhoe House is a grand Palladian mansion, which dates back to 1615 ,with a 400-acre garden planned by Capability Brown. Once home to generations of English aristocracy, it’s historic architecture features neo-classical detailing by Sir John Soane: symmetry, grand staircases, tall windows, and classical proportions.
Before RH, the house was famously eclectic and whimsical, filled with oddities such as dinosaurs, unicorns, and taxidermy. Under RH, the house has been painstakingly restored – a process that took over three years (the oak grand staircase alone required 800 hours of restoration!). The result is a beautifully considered space, with soft taupe walls and stripped and polished original floorboards, allowing each room to flow seamlessly into the next like a gallery.
The rooms have been styled with RH furniture, textiles, lighting, art and rare artifacts like classic scuptures. The result is a blend of modern minimalism and classic elegance, where period character and contemporary design coexist harmoniously.
The Tour: Guided by Kyle
We were guided around the house by Kyle Walton, RH’s Trade Consultant, who was incredibly knowledgeable and deeply passionate about design.
RH leans into a timeless, curated aesthetic – think neutral palettes, grounding materials like wood, leather, stone and metal, and furniture that feels substantial rather than trendy. They often describe their design approach as classic, calm, and cohesive
Highlights of RH Design
- Sofas: Signature, large, sculptural pieces designed to anchor a living room visually.
- Beds & Bedroom Furniture: Large, solid frames, often upholstered in textured linen or velvet for a relaxed yet polished feel.
- Lighting: Statement pieces such as large-scale chandeliers, dramatic pendants, and oversized wall lights. Materials include cast brass, iron, and hand-finished metals, leaning into sculptural, architectural design.
- Rugs: Made from natural materials like wool and silk, hand-knotted or hand-loomed for texture and depth, designed to feel aged and organic rather than bright and new.
- Fabrics: Ranging from Belgian linens and soft cottons to wool blends and textured weaves.
Overall, the look is neutral and grand, with earth tones and architectural scale. At times, rooms felt like luxury hotel spaces, reflecting RH’s showroom approach. The aesthetic is classic with modern touches – curated rather than trendy. As an interior designer, I would select and combine pieces rather than adopt the full look, which can feel slightly over-designed.
Visiting Tips
It was a wonderful experience, and if you have the chance, I highly recommend a visit. The café is also worth a stop – we enjoyed a simple but delicious lunch in the pretty light-filled restaurant. Find more details here.
