What do you think?
Rate this book
Domino: The Book of Decorating: A room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy
Domino: The Book of Decorating cracks the code to creating a beautiful home, bringing together inspiring rooms, how-to advice and insiders’ secrets from today’s premier tastemakers in an indispensable style manual. The editors take readers room by room, tapping the best ideas from domino magazine and culling insights from their own experiences. With an eye to making design accessible and exciting, this book demystifies the decorating process and provides the tools for making spaces that are personal, functional and fabulous.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2008
85 people are currently reading
2578 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
April 25, 2012
really great for absolute beginners or people with a lot of cash. so many of the tips (photographing/measuring EVERYTHING in your house) are valuable but completely unrealistic and incredibly time-consuming. as someone part-way through intensive renovations/slight redecorating, i thought it would be a nice guideline but just too unrealistic for my broke ass lifestyle.
and i know domino is not the only design magazine out there with this problem, but fuck it is SO. WHITE. which leaves an even worse taste in my mouth when they describe "ethnic texture" and "kasbah effect" yet only profile white domino contributors and never describe things as "american" or "bland beige white privilege."
in the end i just found a lot of the language far too pretentious (cultured irreverence! ladylike luxe!) and too many of the suggestions a bit on the trendy side (i.e. you'll be changing your space/regretting purchases before you know it)
and i know domino is not the only design magazine out there with this problem, but fuck it is SO. WHITE. which leaves an even worse taste in my mouth when they describe "ethnic texture" and "kasbah effect" yet only profile white domino contributors and never describe things as "american" or "bland beige white privilege."
in the end i just found a lot of the language far too pretentious (cultured irreverence! ladylike luxe!) and too many of the suggestions a bit on the trendy side (i.e. you'll be changing your space/regretting purchases before you know it)
December 29, 2012
The authors wrote this book to help teach you how to "read" a room. As such, this is a book that has significantly more pictures than text (not a bad thing, in this case).
The authors go through each of the major rooms in the home. Each chapter contains several examples and breaks down what makes that room work. They talk about the important considerations for choosing the major pieces for that room and give a number of tips, all illustrated. I can almost guarantee that you won't like everything in this book, but there is enough variety that you are likely to find inspiration somewhere.
This book contains a rather unique feature; the authors show you how to mix and match different styles. Some books will tell you to only pair traditional pieces or modern pieces; never mix them. This book has a "mix and match" section for each chapter that explores how you can unify stylistically different pieces to make for a more interesting interior.
This book will not teach you how to decorate, but it will provide inspiration and help you understand what you like and dislike. I am definitely looking at things differently after reading it.
The authors go through each of the major rooms in the home. Each chapter contains several examples and breaks down what makes that room work. They talk about the important considerations for choosing the major pieces for that room and give a number of tips, all illustrated. I can almost guarantee that you won't like everything in this book, but there is enough variety that you are likely to find inspiration somewhere.
This book contains a rather unique feature; the authors show you how to mix and match different styles. Some books will tell you to only pair traditional pieces or modern pieces; never mix them. This book has a "mix and match" section for each chapter that explores how you can unify stylistically different pieces to make for a more interesting interior.
This book will not teach you how to decorate, but it will provide inspiration and help you understand what you like and dislike. I am definitely looking at things differently after reading it.
August 21, 2013
I think this is a great first decorating/design book to give to someone (or yourself) as a gift. It goes through the basics such as chapter 1 - Getting Started - sharing ways to find inspiration through magazines and pinterest, and through that search finding out just what your individual style is and then how to think about the actual space you have and to take an inventory of what you already have and then to draw up a budget and come up with the items that will give you that room that you are wanting. Each chapter shares information about each room of a house that most apartments/homes have such as the foyer, living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and bath, office space, and kids rooms. At the back of the book is a little handbook of useful information such as drapery styles and definitions, basic upholstery definitions and the basics of pillow design. There are loads of photographs to get you excited about designing your living spaces.
April 21, 2017
I have realized that my house does not have enough chandeliers and will correct this immediately. This book was full of beautiful pictures and inexpensive ideas, though expensive ideas were present as well. I recommend everyone read this before decorating in order to avoid creating a space you hate.
June 10, 2025
Guys, this was from 2008. It was so iconic and such an era and now it's 17 years old. This was pre-chevron era, is how old it is.
This read through, I felt like there was a little bit of everything: some very practical advice, some appallingly impractical (you could never wash that!), some rooms that held up really well, and other rooms I just looked at and was like WHAT. I also found a room that I'm pretty sure I've been subliminally trying to recreate ever since 2008 except red ikat bedspreads are hard to find.
This read through, I felt like there was a little bit of everything: some very practical advice, some appallingly impractical (you could never wash that!), some rooms that held up really well, and other rooms I just looked at and was like WHAT. I also found a room that I'm pretty sure I've been subliminally trying to recreate ever since 2008 except red ikat bedspreads are hard to find.
April 30, 2019
Reminded me exactly of flipping through Domino Magazine in 2008 - colorful and fun. The bathroom chapter was my favorite. Ha.
January 6, 2016
This book is hands down the best design book that I have ever had the privilege to read! This book is visual yet packed with practical tips. I really enjoyed the cheat sheets provided to help one design their home just like a professional! I also enjoyed how the book followed the high/low method a lot of the time, which means splurging on a couple of items and then finding the rest on the cheap. The ideas in the book apply to everyone, not just the design professional. This book is a must buy whether you are renovating your home, sprucing it up, or just want to relax and learn and see some amazing designs.
December 4, 2008
wooondeeeerrrful.
This book is absolutely amazing. To all the readers who find that regular decorating books and magazines make everything looking sterile and impossible for their own space: this is your book.
It helps you approach each room by pointing out all important information that you should consider before buying new stuff.
Also it has great ideas and tricks that are affordable and for everyone (also special sections for renters).
I keep looking back in to find new ideas and recommend it highly.
This book is absolutely amazing. To all the readers who find that regular decorating books and magazines make everything looking sterile and impossible for their own space: this is your book.
It helps you approach each room by pointing out all important information that you should consider before buying new stuff.
Also it has great ideas and tricks that are affordable and for everyone (also special sections for renters).
I keep looking back in to find new ideas and recommend it highly.
October 3, 2009
I really did cry when they stopped publishing this magazine. Thank Durga there is a book. Many decorating books are full of dated photos of impractical over decorated rooms with fake plants. This book shows real homes with classic, fun livable designs...not to mention TONS of practical advice and SOURCES!! for many of the things shown. Love is not a strong enough word.
January 16, 2022
This decorating book has a chapter for each type of room in a typical house with pictures of well-executed examples and explanations of what makes them good. There are also tips and ideas for the reader to try. At the end there are detailed guides for curtains and furniture.
March 4, 2012
I'm not a designer, nor do I have a designer's eye. I'm not a gardener, nor do I have a green thumb.
So I found this guide, just like Domino Magazine in it's heyday, super helpful and written in an accessible language that didn't make me feel like a moron. I love the contemporary styling, and the way the book explains why certain looks/time periods/colors work well together to create a tone and feeling and mood.
I would have loved to have been born with a designer's fearlessness and wit, but alas, I wasn't. So luckily, this book is here to help me and others like me. It's especially helpful for inspiration as I'm about to live in a new place and would like to make my current pieces look new. And I think this book is probably better for beginners and amateurs, as it really is written as a guide.
So I found this guide, just like Domino Magazine in it's heyday, super helpful and written in an accessible language that didn't make me feel like a moron. I love the contemporary styling, and the way the book explains why certain looks/time periods/colors work well together to create a tone and feeling and mood.
I would have loved to have been born with a designer's fearlessness and wit, but alas, I wasn't. So luckily, this book is here to help me and others like me. It's especially helpful for inspiration as I'm about to live in a new place and would like to make my current pieces look new. And I think this book is probably better for beginners and amateurs, as it really is written as a guide.
September 10, 2019
Ok, but seems dated 11 years out from its original publication date. Seems very NYC-centric with high ceilings and interesting moldings. Lots of photos, though some seem to disguise as much as reveal. I found "The Domino Effect" stories somewhat off-putting and pretentious. Really gross, page 132, with woman's legs up on the dining table (My Kitchen: It's actually a high-functioning studio apartment...). Well, uh, lucky you. This decorating book DID seem to photograph rooms that were actually lived in as opposed to primary set up to BE photographed, so there's something there... I was hoping for more from the resource section in the back, but much of that seems out-of-date as well. It was interesting to flip though, though.
April 17, 2012
This book has some really helpful, timeless tips about how to arrange furniture, how to hang curtains, things to watch out for when purchasing different types of couches, etc. The thing I didn't like was that a lot of the decor was truly tacky: zebra wallpaper, python wallpaper in a kitchen, giant flower-power style daisies painted on a wooden floor, a huge moth on the wall, a peacock mirror, a room filled with American flags... so over the top. There was also some tasteful decor that was inspiring, I was just disappointed at how bad some of it was given how much I loved the magazine. The book is still worth reading and even owning for all the practical design tips though.
December 29, 2014
This book was a fun and quick read - it is a nice coffee-table book. I appreciated the breakdown of major pieces and what they pair well with. It would have been rated higher for me if there was a more thorough representation of aesthetics; I feel like the majority of the book is very modern design and it would have been nice to have seen a couple of examples of more traditional/french country/classic type of designs. For someone who is just beginning to establish their aesthetic, it is good for seeing examples of rooms and how each component in those rooms comes together to create an idea.
November 16, 2020
One of the better interior design books I've read, actually. Lots of "nuts and bolts" style advice, lots of pictures of different styles. Some of the advice seemed hideous/crazy to me (so it goes), but a lot of it was solid and there were definitely some good takeaways.
Side note, I've been reading enough of these that I had one very long dream yesterday of going through a giant old house (castle?) with a realtor and thinking through ways I would change/update/renovate it, so...... the interior design books have won.
Side note, I've been reading enough of these that I had one very long dream yesterday of going through a giant old house (castle?) with a realtor and thinking through ways I would change/update/renovate it, so...... the interior design books have won.
November 8, 2012
I especially found the children's room section and the "black book" directory at the end of the book listing companies (and how (in)expensive they were) helpful. I jotted down furniture, flooring, lighting, etc. companies to check out in the future from the list. On the whole, it would have been more helpful to me if the author had annotated throughout the entire book where certain items came from so I could look them up.
February 21, 2010
This one's interesting enough to flip through, but so specialized with distinct styles (and most of it's not really for people on a budget.)
I liked the decorating tips, but have a hard time focusing on such unattainable appearances and styles.
I liked the decorating tips, but have a hard time focusing on such unattainable appearances and styles.
January 7, 2021
This is my all time favorite decorating book. I've read it a dozen times if not more and refer to it almost weekly. It is much (much) better than the sequel, which was not produced by the same team. Deborah Needleman's follow-up book, "The Perfectly Imperfect Home" is just about as good, though.
June 14, 2017
I am going to need a lot more money for all the ideas I now have.
Read
January 11, 2025goal: to demystify and democratize decorating.
Tear out or copy pages, save images from the Internet, gather photos and postcards (being sure to mark the specific attributes you love for future reference).
START A FILE “My Deco File”. It can be as high- or low-tech as you like: The best system is the one you’ll actually use.
Pg 19 assess your stuff
Pg 20-21 draw up a floor plan
tools online (icovia.com
figure out the cost of the bigticket item (for instance, the draperies here) and then divide the rest of your budget among what’s left to buy.
Pg 25 create a design scheme
This transitional step between planning and doing is all about narrowing down your options
White walls and an ebony floor create a flexible backdrop for Crayola-bright accents—an orange side table
statement piece
No room for lamps? Go for sconces.
chairs. Standard seat height is 18" (a table is 29" or 30"). Generally, you want your chair backs to be higher than the table. If you’re going for a super-modern, low-back chair, make sure the back is at least table height.
If the store allows, bring home a chair to test with your table before committing to a whole set. Have everyone in your household try it out.
curtains. A no-fail fabric formula for generous coverage is to order at least one and a half to two times the width of the window. It is customary to hang a rod 4" above the window frame and 6" to 8" past the frame on each side.
Before you buy a piece, hold it: The right hardware is as much about feel as it is about looks.
Types of sink: Bowl on top. Wall mount. Vanity.
A GLASS WALL, instead of a shower curtain, allows the room to feel as airy as possible.
A POTTED FERN thrives in the bathroom (it loves moisture!) and softens a stark space.
Subway and penny tile —clean, neutral and timeless.
An Edison bulb on this industrial fixture throws off the most flattering, warm yellow light.
Your desk might live in a dedicated offi ce space, or it might have to double as your dining table.
A single panel works well in snug spaces or when windows are closely set.
To maximize light, extend the rod at least 10" beyond the frame on each side.
Tear out or copy pages, save images from the Internet, gather photos and postcards (being sure to mark the specific attributes you love for future reference).
START A FILE “My Deco File”. It can be as high- or low-tech as you like: The best system is the one you’ll actually use.
Pg 19 assess your stuff
Pg 20-21 draw up a floor plan
tools online (icovia.com
figure out the cost of the bigticket item (for instance, the draperies here) and then divide the rest of your budget among what’s left to buy.
Pg 25 create a design scheme
This transitional step between planning and doing is all about narrowing down your options
White walls and an ebony floor create a flexible backdrop for Crayola-bright accents—an orange side table
statement piece
No room for lamps? Go for sconces.
chairs. Standard seat height is 18" (a table is 29" or 30"). Generally, you want your chair backs to be higher than the table. If you’re going for a super-modern, low-back chair, make sure the back is at least table height.
If the store allows, bring home a chair to test with your table before committing to a whole set. Have everyone in your household try it out.
curtains. A no-fail fabric formula for generous coverage is to order at least one and a half to two times the width of the window. It is customary to hang a rod 4" above the window frame and 6" to 8" past the frame on each side.
Before you buy a piece, hold it: The right hardware is as much about feel as it is about looks.
Types of sink: Bowl on top. Wall mount. Vanity.
A GLASS WALL, instead of a shower curtain, allows the room to feel as airy as possible.
A POTTED FERN thrives in the bathroom (it loves moisture!) and softens a stark space.
Subway and penny tile —clean, neutral and timeless.
An Edison bulb on this industrial fixture throws off the most flattering, warm yellow light.
Your desk might live in a dedicated offi ce space, or it might have to double as your dining table.
A single panel works well in snug spaces or when windows are closely set.
To maximize light, extend the rod at least 10" beyond the frame on each side.
January 9, 2020
This is a beautiful and stunning hardcover book with the most creative and decadent design ideas that I've ever seen. Filled with different examples per room, The Book of Decorating also comes with a guide to key pieces of a room (think sinks, bed frames, couches). In the back is an incredible compendium fo mixing and matching and learning how to, say, purchase curtains that are the correct length and will work best with whatever sort of blinds system one has. This book is colorful, written in easy to understand language, and has timeless tips (don't forget about the heights of tables and chairs, nor the heights of side tables!).
The only thing I disliked about this book was the kids' room section. Certainly there were good ideas--children don't necessarily need separate rooms, and they might even be happier having another room dedicated to play--but a lot of the rooms were, well, very adult regardless of how pink the rooms were. I know that if you're a designer and in as big of a company such as Domino, you'd of course want every room to be polished. But there's a certain charm in having a room be delightfully childlike, and less adultlike.
Review cross-listed here!
The only thing I disliked about this book was the kids' room section. Certainly there were good ideas--children don't necessarily need separate rooms, and they might even be happier having another room dedicated to play--but a lot of the rooms were, well, very adult regardless of how pink the rooms were. I know that if you're a designer and in as big of a company such as Domino, you'd of course want every room to be polished. But there's a certain charm in having a room be delightfully childlike, and less adultlike.
Review cross-listed here!
December 29, 2019
3 1/2 stars
I was a big fan of Domino magazine back in its heyday and so I figured this would be a fun read for inspiration...and it was! I particularly liked the Mix & Match sections and also found the Decorator's Handbook towards the back of the book to be helpful. It's not a long book but it took me weeks to read though due to all the pics + text. And that is one of the books strengths - hundreds of pictures and loads of text. Not just a pretty interior design portfolio. It really is full to the brim with ideas and like I said before inspiration. And because I have finally figured out what I want to do with my bedroom, I am a happy customer.
I was a big fan of Domino magazine back in its heyday and so I figured this would be a fun read for inspiration...and it was! I particularly liked the Mix & Match sections and also found the Decorator's Handbook towards the back of the book to be helpful. It's not a long book but it took me weeks to read though due to all the pics + text. And that is one of the books strengths - hundreds of pictures and loads of text. Not just a pretty interior design portfolio. It really is full to the brim with ideas and like I said before inspiration. And because I have finally figured out what I want to do with my bedroom, I am a happy customer.
April 22, 2019
I didn't find this book helpful. The majority of the designs weren't my taste. Although they showed modern, traditional, antique, etc styles, the way they were shown didn't make sense to me and seemed really over the top. And they talked about making rooms liveable and comfortable but everything looked straight from a design magazine (which makes sense given the contributors).
The design handbook in the back was the most practical part of the whole book. It gave explanations for different types of furniture, upholstery, curtains and things to consider when making choices.
The design handbook in the back was the most practical part of the whole book. It gave explanations for different types of furniture, upholstery, curtains and things to consider when making choices.
July 3, 2019
Their method to explain why certain pieces go together is to show some pictures, describe each piece with something vague like "gravitas" or "luxe", and assert that each piece either harmonizes or offsets the others. Trying to use it as a remedial aid for those of us who utterly lack style is very reminiscent of "Step 1, draw a line. Step 2, draw 2 circles. Step 3, draw the rest of the animal" drawing guides.
The pictures are nice to look at.
In conclusion, Domino: The Book of Decorating is a land of many contrasts.
The pictures are nice to look at.
In conclusion, Domino: The Book of Decorating is a land of many contrasts.
January 14, 2018
This book had lots of decor ideas, though not all of them were especially practical for someone with a rental property or limited budget. The styles of individual pieces of furniture were discussed so the reader could find what style suited them best. The resource section at the back was huge and quite thorough. This strikes me as a good inspiration book with good tips for those wanting to impress others with their space.
February 20, 2022
I flipped through a lot of the decorating books in my library and struggled to find ones that actually help you get practical ideas. I’ve found the Domino ones to be my favorite. This one isn’t quite so practical as the other but I still felt like I got some ideas out of it. Not everything matches my style or budget, and some of the suggestions are impractical for me, but that’s okay. I just like seeing what different things people can do to make a space personal and design-forward.
April 11, 2022
A helpful resource to grasp the concepts of interior design. This book goes into detail with lots of examples on how to design each room of the house. Many of the styles presented were not to my particular taste, however, it was easy to understand the concepts and to apply them to my own style and situation. It gives a great overview and provides lots of useful information for someone just starting out (with no knowledge of interior design).
June 11, 2023
I liked the pictures, but these were quite extravagant spaces and felt unattainable on a smaller budget. I picked it up at the library with the intention of helping me find my decorating style but that was a small paragraph within the whole book. I did like learning about what certain couch styles or tables are actually called, if anything, it can help a prospective writer detail an interior setting.
August 5, 2023
This is a pretty solid book if you’re looking for design inspiration, and I found the definitions and illustrations of different styles (for example, types of bed frames) to be helpful in verbalizing what I wanted. The list of vendors at the end is also a fantastic resource!
Sure, I could have found all this information online across several different sites, but it is handy to have it in a single place.
Sure, I could have found all this information online across several different sites, but it is handy to have it in a single place.
October 15, 2024
"Mua cây Nam Thiên Trúc giả tại ATZ DECOR nhận ngay ưu đãi lớn. Mẫu sản phẩm của chúng tôi luôn đảm bảo chất lượng và bảo hành 12 tháng. Khi mua hàng, quý khách sẽ được tư vấn miễn phí và linh hoạt đổi trả sản phẩm khi có lỗi kỹ thuật.
https://atzdecor.vn/cay-nam-thien-truc-gia-cnttg/
Thông tin liên hệ:
Hotline: 0988.816.086
Email: info.atzdecor.vn@gmail.com
#cay_nam_thien_truc_gia
#cay_gia_phong_khach
#cay_gia
#atz_decor"
https://atzdecor.vn/cay-nam-thien-truc-gia-cnttg/
Thông tin liên hệ:
Hotline: 0988.816.086
Email: info.atzdecor.vn@gmail.com
#cay_nam_thien_truc_gia
#cay_gia_phong_khach
#cay_gia
#atz_decor"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews