What do you think?
Rate this book
Design*Sponge at Home
"The long-awaited home décor bible by the beloved design blogger"
Thank you, wrote a reader to Design*Sponge creator Grace Bonney, for teaching me that houses don't have to be frumpy and formal. They don't have to be matchy-matchy or rigidly modern. They can just be comfy and unique and reflect who you are, no matter how small your budget or space.
That reader is one of the 75,000 unique daily visitors to Design*Sponge, who make it the most popular design site on the web. The site receives 250,000 pageviews every day and has 150,000 RSS subscribers and 280,000 followers on Twitter. Design*Sponge fans have been yearning for the ultimate design manual from their guru, Grace, and she has finally delivered with this definitive guide, which includes:
Home tours of 70 real-life interiors featuring artists and designers
Fifty DIY projects, with detailed instructions for personalizing your space
Step-by-step tutorials on everything from stripping and painting furniture to hanging wallpaper and doing your own upholstery
Fifty Before & After makeovers submitted by readers of Design*Sponge real people with limited time and realistic budgets
Essential tips on modern flower arranging, with 20 arrangements
With over 700 color photos and illustrations and projects that are customizable, relatable, and affordable, this is the democratizing design book everyone has been waiting for and all for only $35.00!
Thank you, wrote a reader to Design*Sponge creator Grace Bonney, for teaching me that houses don't have to be frumpy and formal. They don't have to be matchy-matchy or rigidly modern. They can just be comfy and unique and reflect who you are, no matter how small your budget or space.
That reader is one of the 75,000 unique daily visitors to Design*Sponge, who make it the most popular design site on the web. The site receives 250,000 pageviews every day and has 150,000 RSS subscribers and 280,000 followers on Twitter. Design*Sponge fans have been yearning for the ultimate design manual from their guru, Grace, and she has finally delivered with this definitive guide, which includes:
Home tours of 70 real-life interiors featuring artists and designers
Fifty DIY projects, with detailed instructions for personalizing your space
Step-by-step tutorials on everything from stripping and painting furniture to hanging wallpaper and doing your own upholstery
Fifty Before & After makeovers submitted by readers of Design*Sponge real people with limited time and realistic budgets
Essential tips on modern flower arranging, with 20 arrangements
With over 700 color photos and illustrations and projects that are customizable, relatable, and affordable, this is the democratizing design book everyone has been waiting for and all for only $35.00!
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2011
75 people are currently reading
1612 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 120 reviews
October 15, 2011
I don't know why I keep checking out books that come out of blogs I follow. I always expect them to be more than print copies of things seen or read on the blogs. This one, like the others I've read, is not. I like the site so much, I almost didn't write this review, but that seemed dishonest somehow.
There are pretty pictures of many homes, like the "sneak peeks" on the Design*Sponge site. They seem less personal in print, however, missing the little comments from the homeowners about what they like best about their homes.
Crafts and floral arrangements fill the rest of the book. Neither goes beyond what you find online, but they are nicely organized and presented.
There are pretty pictures of many homes, like the "sneak peeks" on the Design*Sponge site. They seem less personal in print, however, missing the little comments from the homeowners about what they like best about their homes.
Crafts and floral arrangements fill the rest of the book. Neither goes beyond what you find online, but they are nicely organized and presented.
August 4, 2013
Do you love looking at interior design blogs? If you answered yes then you are going to enjoy this book. It is broken down into 5 sections.
1)Sneak Peeks - This is the largest part of the book which is exactly what it says, a peek into someone's living space. You can go to the blog and see so much more of these spaces which were originally on the blog, but here you will just get a peek of that space. A great many of the spaces are of people who are very successful in interior design or a related field.
2)DIY Projects - I think that says everything.
3)DIY Basics - which shares with you the basic tools that you will want, and things like how to strip wood furniture, how to paint furniture, and sewing basics, among other things.
4)Flower Workshop which shares the basics of flower arranging.
5)Before and After spaces which concentrates on redoing furniture.
Of course you can see all of this on the blog, but personally I love to be able to hold an actual book in my hands and put the computer/ipad away for awhile.
Have you noticed that a lot of design books are doing away with a jacket cover and have created a much more attractive book cover? I like that!
1)Sneak Peeks - This is the largest part of the book which is exactly what it says, a peek into someone's living space. You can go to the blog and see so much more of these spaces which were originally on the blog, but here you will just get a peek of that space. A great many of the spaces are of people who are very successful in interior design or a related field.
2)DIY Projects - I think that says everything.
3)DIY Basics - which shares with you the basic tools that you will want, and things like how to strip wood furniture, how to paint furniture, and sewing basics, among other things.
4)Flower Workshop which shares the basics of flower arranging.
5)Before and After spaces which concentrates on redoing furniture.
Of course you can see all of this on the blog, but personally I love to be able to hold an actual book in my hands and put the computer/ipad away for awhile.
Have you noticed that a lot of design books are doing away with a jacket cover and have created a much more attractive book cover? I like that!
January 20, 2016
While the old adage goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover!", Design Sponge at Home is gorgeous both inside and out!
Insights into interesting interiors of everyday people with great design eyes. Mixture vintage, antique and modern, just shows objects with excellent lines never go out of style.
Regardless of style, this book has something for every design enthusiast. While most of the spaces profiled in the book are on the small side, the styles are beautiful and varied. There's all sorts of styles profiled in the book; everything from tastefully done updated traditional to quirky modern and more niche decor like a Scandinavian themed canadian cabin. The writing is clear and concise and each room shot has accompanying blurbs with tips, tricks, and notes on where to find similar or identical pieces featured in the room shots.
I sincerely hope that the author and editor continue to issue updates to this beautiful hardcover book.
Insights into interesting interiors of everyday people with great design eyes. Mixture vintage, antique and modern, just shows objects with excellent lines never go out of style.
Regardless of style, this book has something for every design enthusiast. While most of the spaces profiled in the book are on the small side, the styles are beautiful and varied. There's all sorts of styles profiled in the book; everything from tastefully done updated traditional to quirky modern and more niche decor like a Scandinavian themed canadian cabin. The writing is clear and concise and each room shot has accompanying blurbs with tips, tricks, and notes on where to find similar or identical pieces featured in the room shots.
I sincerely hope that the author and editor continue to issue updates to this beautiful hardcover book.
March 4, 2012
I enjoy the Design*Sponge website and the layout of site much more than the book, which felt a bit chaotic to me. It's not as organized as I would have liked - even a break down regionally would have been interesting to me. I felt like I was just browsing schizophrenically from page to page without any rhyme or reason, which actually didn't feel very fun. I usually enjoy skipping around on the site.
This said, the writing is smart and the photographs are clear. I just wish the actual organization of the book would have been more efficient. If you are a design lover, I think you will still enjoy this book with minimal complaint and receive maximum inspiration.
This said, the writing is smart and the photographs are clear. I just wish the actual organization of the book would have been more efficient. If you are a design lover, I think you will still enjoy this book with minimal complaint and receive maximum inspiration.
May 9, 2014
Synopsis: people really into 'stuff' making a lot of fuss about tatty finds and hand-me-downs. My house has plenty...though not so prized/ artfully arranged. Usual shtick that we should be visiting more flea markets etc to search for the elusive 'piece' to fill a particular space in our home (read: life). Most of the DIY projects are for those with more time than sense. Some are vaguely useful but lacking in detail. Wish I hadn't bought it.
April 15, 2012
Beautifully photographed. A little on the etsy/DIY side for my taste but there are also some unique, sleek, and tailored homes. Remarkably, most homes not only incorporated books and libraries as design elements they also focused on and celebrated living with shelves and stacks of books.
I flipped through the DIY section in the back because I am not crafty, but I can see how many people would enjoy these projects.
I flipped through the DIY section in the back because I am not crafty, but I can see how many people would enjoy these projects.
February 27, 2015
Some good stuff, but a lot that I recognize as having seen on Design Sponge already at various points in time. Fun to flip through, but even flipping through got tiresome after a while (this is a BIG book).
Made me wonder how much of a "well-decorated house" is camera angle and lighting, plus a cleaning and staging crew scouring through immediately prior to the camera angles and lighting.
Made me wonder how much of a "well-decorated house" is camera angle and lighting, plus a cleaning and staging crew scouring through immediately prior to the camera angles and lighting.
December 14, 2011
A lot of great ideas and beautiful photos of amazing rooms. I got this book from the library, I would not purchase it. The ideas and photos are things you will find on the blog, so save your money. However, it was fun to look through. I am very inspired to start visiting the flea market!
November 10, 2011
I love Grace Bonney's (et al) blog and this book was just more of the best stuff. Loved getting to thumb through bunches and bunches of new Sneak Peeks. Also liked getting to read more about Grace's path to the blog. Delightful. I paged through it in about two lunches.
January 10, 2012
I loved this book so much more than I thought I would. I already tried out one of the projects (yarn vase) and am looking forward to more. It's a book that teaches and inspires, and I just plain love looking at pretty houses.
July 29, 2016
a.maz.ing. resplendent. unadulterated brilliance. five bazillion stars. seriously, i'll be scanning, rereading, referencing, indulging, etc for the next decade. an encyclopedia of home design inspiration.
January 17, 2017
What a fun look into some eccentric homes! While not all of the spaces were my style, it was interesting to see how much each space reflected the people who lived there. Loved the stories too. May need to look at this again for flower inspiration at a later date!
December 12, 2011
This book makes me sad about all the things I want to do to my house, but can't afford. I just have to remind myself that these people probably have massive credit card debt.
April 2, 2012
This book is amazing! designsponge.com is my new favorite website. Such good ideas!!!
July 24, 2018
I don’t follow the Design*Sponge blog and got this book on sale. I didn’t even know what the term Design*Sponge meant. Apparently, it means to soak up design like a sponge. I’m always looking for decorating tips and inexpensive ways to improve my house. Sometimes I go on HGTV watching jags. I especially like before and after photos. Books like this can inspire and share great ideas. This book had several sections: Sneak Peeks of designer’s own interiors; DIY Projects; DIY Basics including curtains, upholstery, sewing, refinishing furniture; Flower Workshop about flower arranging; Before & After featuring projects shared by blog readers; Resource Guide. If you follow the blog, I’m sure you’ll love this book. I soaked up some ideas and tips. The full color photos are nice.
June 26, 2018
I could NOT slog through all the text in this book so, with happy resignation, allowed myself to flip through the pages and read whatever I thought would be helpful - it went better that way. That said, much of the text (I read) seemed self-serving or insignificant. (I suggest you do what I did.) The photos were the important part, after all. Good resource for inspiration. Some vignettes seemed totally staged and unusable for real life (p 87 table stacked with blue books but cleared off when friends come over...), some seem torturous (p 202 succulents in a brick wall jail), many other photos ACTUALLY SEEM LIFE THEY'RE REAL. I liked the book but don't need it. Check it out from the library.
October 2, 2020
Home decor addict? Spoil yourself with this interior design bible, Design*Sponge at Home. The hugely popular American blog was launched in 2004 and wasted no time in establishing itself as the funky younger sister the Martha Stewart brand never had. I’m thrilled to see the quirky site’s editor Grace Bonney has put her colourful experience and eagle eye to good use in publishing this must-have title.
April 29, 2018
Beautiful pictures. Good do-able DiY projects. How the beautiful people live, but with some down to earth suggestions. Did I mention the photography? It melds so completely with the text. A very good book for a young person beginning to develop or fine-tune their taste. I'm not that person.
November 5, 2019
Design*Sponge is a blog about all things decorative and make-over-able. A lot of pictures with instructions for basics projects, it made me realize that I'll never do all the projects I have in my head. At least I have these pics.
July 6, 2017
Beautiful and very inspiring living spaces, but really doesn't present anything new. I suggest Justina Blakeney's 'The New Bohemians' for interiors that really pop and excite.
January 18, 2018
Notes:
170 pgs home ideas and photos
200 pgs DIY ideas
170 pgs home ideas and photos
200 pgs DIY ideas
February 12, 2018
Lots of lovely pictures and inspiring DIY projects.
May 29, 2019
An inspiring interior design book, with an entire section dedicated to DIY projects.
It even had instructions for basic flower arrangements, a much overlooked but useful skill in design.
It even had instructions for basic flower arrangements, a much overlooked but useful skill in design.
June 10, 2019
not my style or inspiration, not great instruction. good if you like vintage/19th century/rustic home style.
June 17, 2019
Gonna have to come back to this book when I’m ready to make more permanent living space changes but i loved all the ideas and color photos in this one!
July 7, 2019
Honestly...just a copy of the blog. Not overly impressed.
July 17, 2019
One of the design books I keep going back to and full of great ideas for DIY projects at home that are cool and funky. Love it want to have a copy for home.
August 24, 2011
this review is adapted from
a longer review at my blog, liberal sprinkles
Design*Sponge at Home is full of inspiring and do-able ideas that will get your creative juices flowing. It's interesting to see the different styles and tastes of people reflected in the homes they live in; and the photos, tips and suggestions will inspire and help you get crafty and creating so you can bring your own personality to your own home, whether it is by adding accents to rooms and furnishings or taking on a major renovation project.
The book brings to print some of the Design*Sponge blog's best-loved features:
** Sneak Peeks takes us on tours of 65 apartments and houses of varying designs and styles across the US and as far away as South Africa, Singapore and Australia. The photos are enough to give you a serious case of home-envy but you can try replicating all that gorgeousness with the decorating and renovating and tips. There are also resource guides in the book.
:: 50 DIY projects. The cost, time needed and level of difficulty are indicated. They include practical things like tea towels and display jars, as well as decorative accents like window films and pressed botanical specimens. There's a chapter on DIY basics but for some items, you'll need to already know how to get going, for instance how to use a sewing machine or a glue gun. But there are plenty of easy projects for complete beginners. Among the simplest are a cake stand, which basically involves glueing an plate to a candlestick, and map-covered boxes.
:: Before and After: this is a regular blog column where furniture and rooms get a bit of love and a makeover. Again, the cost, time required and difficulty level are listed. There are lots of projects almost anyone can tackle with a bit of paint, some glue and a hammer. And at least 10 cost less than $50 to complete.
This is one of the things I love best about the blog and the book - it makes home decor and renovation so accessible and affordable. You don't need to be rich to beautify and transform your home. You don't have to be a serial DIYer or spend buckets of money to turn your home into a beautiful place that reflects your personality and style. You can do much of the work yourself if you like, and there's plenty enough in the book to get you going.
Additionally, there is a chapter devoted to flower arrangments with guidelines on the basic you need to know and instructions to create 20 arrangements.
5+ stars. Well worth the money.
a longer review at my blog, liberal sprinkles
Design*Sponge at Home is full of inspiring and do-able ideas that will get your creative juices flowing. It's interesting to see the different styles and tastes of people reflected in the homes they live in; and the photos, tips and suggestions will inspire and help you get crafty and creating so you can bring your own personality to your own home, whether it is by adding accents to rooms and furnishings or taking on a major renovation project.
The book brings to print some of the Design*Sponge blog's best-loved features:
** Sneak Peeks takes us on tours of 65 apartments and houses of varying designs and styles across the US and as far away as South Africa, Singapore and Australia. The photos are enough to give you a serious case of home-envy but you can try replicating all that gorgeousness with the decorating and renovating and tips. There are also resource guides in the book.
:: 50 DIY projects. The cost, time needed and level of difficulty are indicated. They include practical things like tea towels and display jars, as well as decorative accents like window films and pressed botanical specimens. There's a chapter on DIY basics but for some items, you'll need to already know how to get going, for instance how to use a sewing machine or a glue gun. But there are plenty of easy projects for complete beginners. Among the simplest are a cake stand, which basically involves glueing an plate to a candlestick, and map-covered boxes.
:: Before and After: this is a regular blog column where furniture and rooms get a bit of love and a makeover. Again, the cost, time required and difficulty level are listed. There are lots of projects almost anyone can tackle with a bit of paint, some glue and a hammer. And at least 10 cost less than $50 to complete.
This is one of the things I love best about the blog and the book - it makes home decor and renovation so accessible and affordable. You don't need to be rich to beautify and transform your home. You don't have to be a serial DIYer or spend buckets of money to turn your home into a beautiful place that reflects your personality and style. You can do much of the work yourself if you like, and there's plenty enough in the book to get you going.
Additionally, there is a chapter devoted to flower arrangments with guidelines on the basic you need to know and instructions to create 20 arrangements.
5+ stars. Well worth the money.
September 27, 2016
Houses on parade. On one hand, useful for inspiration but also - a little boring and self-indulgent
February 21, 2017
Lost of sneak peak pics, craft/DIY projects and shopping references. A fun look book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews