2 Book Reviews

Real Simple: The Organized Home


Just like the magazine, the book had really good photos. And the photos showed some good organizing ideas. But the downfall of this book is that it didn't describe really how to implement its ideas. There isn't hardly any text in the book and no captions or how-to instructions to go with the photos to tell you how to create that in your home. In the back of the book, it has a resource list but not an index of what item went with each resource. So although I found some great and interesting containers in the photos, there is no clear way to find those items without just going through each resource which is a big list. If you like Real Simple's photos you will enjoy this book. If you enjoy real simple's tips and ideas, you won't enjoy this book, as it really doesn't give much written content and how to create the ideas put forth in the photos.

Decorating Small Spaces: Live Large in Any Space (Better Homes & Gardens)

The book is only good maybe for section to do layouts. It has graph-paper and then cut-outs that so you can arrange your room. But if you are wanting a book that will tell you how to get the most space out of your small room - this probably isn't the book for you. I mean it has some nice ideas for hidden compartments behind mirrors, under the stairs or over doorway type storage solutions. I don't feel it was really a book for utilizing space in small rooms rather a book of utilizing space in any/bigger size room/house. Many of the photos show medium to large rooms that look airy and not in need of space.

The solutions I did kind of like in the book of course then didn't go into detail on how to create the idea and I notice many of the purposed ideas were the same. Another annoying things was the layout of the text because it was confusing to follow and hard to read.

Overall I found some of the photos in the book inspiring. And even a few might be worth while to implement in a future house but won't work in our current house. The book offers some ways to utilize and organize un-used space more creatively. But BH&G didn't focus enough on actual small rooms to create space so for me it didn't live up to expectations.

Book Review: Domino

Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy
By Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello, Dara Caponigro

I had only picked up the magazine a few times when it was out (they are no longer publishing it), but always enjoyed it.

The book is beautifully put together. The format is interesting going room by room, examining what is important in each individual space. It is packed with great photos along with some basic design ideas, tips and suggestions that are helpful no matter what your taste. They illustrate many of the ideas using Domino staffer's homes so not all of the sources are listed which can get frustrating at times if you really want to do a room closely to the example. But it does force you to look through your own home and about to find a look that will not copy but fit your own style. And because of that this book is all about the photos to help you get the creative juices flowing when wanting to redecorate so it is a great place to start gathering your thoughts.

The cons of this book are that not all the resources are listed. The room styles are trendy so probably won't be of use later, but at the same time they are eclectic and some of that style can carry over and the tips won't ever go out of style so will be useful not matter what.

I want this book. I checked it out from the library and renewed it 3 times (the limit). And then several months later checked it out again and renewed it 3 times again. It is eye candy and I never tired of flipping through it.