Dollar Store Decor: 100 Projects for Lush Living That Won't Break the Bank [Paperback]

Mark Montano (Author), Jeremy Nelson (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2005

From the most popular decorator on TLC’s hit show “While You Were Out” comes a guide to the coolest kind of decorating on the skimpiest of budgets. Just a few dollars and a bit of creativity go a long way toward adding spice to your living space without breaking the bank. Stores like Dollar Tree and 99¢ Dream are popping up in every city in America with a treasure trove of items from frames to faux flowers. With these materials―and some easy instructions from Mark―readers will learn how to create and embellish everything from lampshades to storage areas for a fraction of the cost they would pay anywhere else. These projects are so cool no one will ever guess how little was paid!
Edgy and stylish, this book is the hippest guide available on shoestring budget decorating.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The most enthusiastic designer on TLC’s hit show, “While You Were Out,” Mark Montano is also a contributing editor to several hit teen magazines, including CosmoGirl, where his hit column “Cool Room” is published every month. He also has a syndicated column with Knight Ridder called “Make Your Mark,” which runs in roughly 75 newspapers worldwide. The longtime owner of a fashion and home decor boutique in New York’s East Village, Mark is the youngest member ever to be inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Universe (August 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789313030
• ISBN-13: 978-0789313034
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.5 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Interior Design > Decorating
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Interior Design > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Okay., February 25, 2006

By 

Chelsea - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dollar Store Decor: 100 Projects for Lush Living That Won't Break the Bank (Paperback)

I absolutely LOVE the idea of this book, but it left me a bit disappointed. Out of 101 ideas, I only found four or five that I might want to try, which also may just be my personal taste. A couple things bothered me about the book. Some of the stuff just looked cheap and icky. Also, some of the ideas were repeated over and OVER throughout the book but on different items, like a tray a lamp a box, etc. It's all really the same idea, so why does it count for more than one? Just something that disappointed me.

96 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save Your Dollars for the Dollar Store, September 25, 2005

By 

Bliss3333 (Kitchener, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dollar Store Decor: 100 Projects for Lush Living That Won't Break the Bank (Paperback)

This book is a complete and utter waste of money. The projects are completely recycled... for example, how many different cheap items can you hot-glue to a picture frame? Apparently all of them. Most of the designs are not only lame, ugly and done-to-death... they are the type of thing that will end up being ready for the garbage after a week. For example, covering a garbage can with tissue paper. As a matter of fact, Mark Montano seems to think that everything in your house would be bettered by adding a coat of tissue paper. Forget that the colours fade almost immediately, it is just a stupid idea. My sister and I agree that anyone with $20 and 5 minutes to spend at the buck store could come up with hundreds of better ideas. Do not waste your money! Even if you see this dog at the dollar store, it would still be a rip-off.... The positive reviews given this book were obviously written by either Mark Montano's minions or denizens of the Land of Bad Taste. Check their other reviews... only books by Mark Montano... coincidence? I think not.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What a disappointment!, October 17, 2009

By 

A. Olson "ashtinafayelou" (North Dakota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dollar Store Decor: 100 Projects for Lush Living That Won't Break the Bank (Paperback)

I had added this book to my wishlist and subsequently received it for my birthday a few days ago. I was really disappointed as I flipped through this book. It was page after page of cheap looking crafts. I could see making a few of these with my kids just for fun, but to spruce up the look of my home, I don't think so. As another reviewer mentioned, most of these projects are all about gluing cheap, dollar store, items to things like frames, trash cans, magnets, etc. Want to find several ways to repurpose a dollar store rag rug? This is your book! Besides the fact that the projects are cheap looking, they also require tools that most people don't have sitting around their house. So good luck spending just a few dollars on these projects!
Seriously though, I'm bummed that this book was bought for me. I feel bad for the one who spent the money. Save your money and go to [...] where you'll find fun dollar store crafts with lots of creativity!