Domino: the Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy [Tapa dura]

I am a major Domino fan. I have been reading it for two years, living vicariously through its profiles of well-heeled decorators and clients, and the resulting photo shoots. I never used to read decorating magazines because I found them a little stuffy or hilarious, but Domino strikes the right balance between whimsy and realistic. So the book - 4 stars. Why not 5 stars for a 10 star magazine?

The book is, well, a rehash of Domino photos for the past few years. The book is a roundup of decorating elements that have appeared in the magazine - patterns, objects, furniture, objets d'art - and they are presented in a format similar to the Lucky Magazine book on fashion. (Both magazines are published by same company.) The book is high on pictures but low on practical advice. You see pictures, a summary of key elements (as in shapes of furniture, a few keywords about the style). There is some information on how to go about the process of DIY decorating or the professional route, but I really missed the details on where to buy what you saw in a picture, or the personal commentary from people who participated in the decorating that makes the actual magazine so great. I think a major element of Domino's success was to hear how living in a room felt like, and these rooms were beloved because they were very habitable, not at all untouchable or filled with dangerous-looking items (Kelly Wearstler, I'm looking at you). But here you just get the end result, without the process, which is what decorating and creativity are all about.

I would recommend this to people who have NOT ever read Domino, or who don't have the patience for it and would prefer to just look at pictures for ideas on how to fix a room, or to get a sense of what they do like. Faithful Domino subscribers (and the book does include a subscription) might prefer to stick with the back issues. I wish I hadn't been forced to throw mine away due to a move to a smaller place, so this book is a nice resource, but it does not measure up to the real thing.

Some pluses, however, since I would like to end on a positive note for a magazine I've really adored:
- great section on small spaces and how to deal, particularly for renters
- how to put together a not-embarrassing kid's room (!)
- love the hand-drawn illustrations (not found in the real magazine)

Ideally, I'd give it a 3.5/5.

More often that not decorating books are just eye candy; after read them once you are satisfied but done. This is NOT the case with domino's first book. The domino team has managed to create a book that you will keep reading it again and again. It is simply brilliant!

Even though I have kept every issue of domino and go through them regularly, the book's format allows for a deeper approach to domino's mission. They have really worked hard to make the book into a usable tool. With more than just pretty pictures and stories, this book provides a framework for how to think about putting together a room (and yes their is new content).

I am only disappointed in two ways: 1, I wish the book referenced the issue each in which each room originally appeared and/or provided information about the products in each room. Perhaps there was not enough space, but access to information is one of my favorite parts of domino's monthly. 2, They also overlooked closets as room. And lets face it they have featured some stunning closets over the past few years.

Buy this book, you will NOT regret it!!!

Domino: The Book of Decorating is a terrific book for beginner decorators and people in their twenties to thirties, as I think the style and language is most appealing to young adults.

The introduction sets up the mission of the book: "How can you decorate without making making unnecessary, costly, and time-consuming mistakes? How can you produce a result that reflects who you are, how you live,--and perhaps even the image you want to convey?"

Getting started has lots of tips like: find inspiration, determine your style, draw a floor plan, set and budget, research and more--all designed for the beginner to gain confidence in the decorating process.

Next, how to decorate room by room. Great photographs with styles like "cool collector," and "brave bohemian."

The book is filled with tips, advice and tricks on how to decorate. There are also small space solutions and advice on how to select major pieces of furniture.

There is a handy section on window treatments and upholstery.

Finally, the authors include a terrific resource guide that includes prices ranges and is titled: "The Big Black Book."

By the author of the award winning book, HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET.