Condé Nast folds Domino
Even if only ex-Merrill Lynch C.E.O. John Thain can afford the high-end armoires touted in the latest issue, Domino was still a fun magazine to flip through for decorating ideas and motivation.
It was also one of the thinnest in the Condé Nast family, with ad pages slipping 26% in 2007 alone. The three-year-old home decor magazine has gone the way of the housing market; it's March issue will be its last and the website will be shut down.
Domino's colorful pages plush with luxury goods and expert advice from world-class designers like Michael Smith--tapped to spruce up the White House, was a hard sell at a time most Americans prefer to shop at Wal-Mart and Target.
Even if you didn't live in a French chateau but a rented condo, it was still nice to flip through Domino to snag an idea or two and rush to the nearest Ikea. That was probably how the editors justified filling the book with so many glittering examples of how to dress a country table and the best (high-end) canopy beds on the market.
I was actually impressed by some wallet-friendly cover stories on Domino's latest issue, one that was a siren call for D.I.Y. projects. I thought the magazine was finally catering to a frugal public.
Alas, it's too late for one of the best magazines, in my opinion, on news stands. The demise of Domino is surprising considering that Condé Nast appeared to be doing what it could to save it by publicly cheer-leading and installing a new publisher only two weeks ago.
Now Beth Fuchs, the publisher, and editor Deborah Needleman have been let go along with most of the magazine's 80-person staff. Only a handful of people will remain to fill open positions within Condé Nast.
Spokeswoman Maurie Perl blamed the decision to close Domino on the economy and assures that other titles, including ad-page short Details and Condé Nast Portfolio, "remain firm."
This is the fourth recent magazine closing for Condé Nast, which shuttered the "quirky-girl" magazine Jane in July 2007, House & Garden in November 2007, and Vogue Living last August.
As the New York Times points out, home design magazines are suffering, which is ironic given that most people are going out less, to save money, and spending more time at home.
I, for one, will still paint a wall in my bedroom the gray-blue I saw in Domino's latest issue, in a story about how to quickly straighten up your home. Thank you, Domino, you will be missed. Come back when things get better.
It was also one of the thinnest in the Condé Nast family, with ad pages slipping 26% in 2007 alone. The three-year-old home decor magazine has gone the way of the housing market; it's March issue will be its last and the website will be shut down.
Even if you didn't live in a French chateau but a rented condo, it was still nice to flip through Domino to snag an idea or two and rush to the nearest Ikea. That was probably how the editors justified filling the book with so many glittering examples of how to dress a country table and the best (high-end) canopy beds on the market.
I was actually impressed by some wallet-friendly cover stories on Domino's latest issue, one that was a siren call for D.I.Y. projects. I thought the magazine was finally catering to a frugal public.
Alas, it's too late for one of the best magazines, in my opinion, on news stands. The demise of Domino is surprising considering that Condé Nast appeared to be doing what it could to save it by publicly cheer-leading and installing a new publisher only two weeks ago.
Now Beth Fuchs, the publisher, and editor Deborah Needleman have been let go along with most of the magazine's 80-person staff. Only a handful of people will remain to fill open positions within Condé Nast.
Spokeswoman Maurie Perl blamed the decision to close Domino on the economy and assures that other titles, including ad-page short Details and Condé Nast Portfolio, "remain firm."
This is the fourth recent magazine closing for Condé Nast, which shuttered the "quirky-girl" magazine Jane in July 2007, House & Garden in November 2007, and Vogue Living last August.
As the New York Times points out, home design magazines are suffering, which is ironic given that most people are going out less, to save money, and spending more time at home.
I, for one, will still paint a wall in my bedroom the gray-blue I saw in Domino's latest issue, in a story about how to quickly straighten up your home. Thank you, Domino, you will be missed. Come back when things get better.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-29-2009 @ 12:46AM
Joe said...
In today's economic climate, there should be a Goodwill magazine for all of our home decorating needs.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 6:27AM
Ellie said...
Oh! so sorry to hear about Domino's demise. I absolutely
love this magazine. I have stolen a lot of their ideas and
bought several items that I found in the magazine. I couldn't
do it last year, but I still plan on designing that wonderful
Moon Garden they showcased 2 summers ago.
Domino, despite
a lot of high end items, was one of the least pretentious of the
shelter magazines. Good luck to everyone. Sure hope this
economy improves.
P.S. I think the page featuring the sticky bookmarks was
simply the best!
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 7:11AM
lalli said...
no great loss. that magazine was the worst.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 8:21AM
Leanne said...
I, too, love this magazine! What happens to those of us that purchased gift subscriptions for family and friends at Christmas time??? Are we just out of luck (and cash)?
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 8:40AM
LJ said...
Usually when a magazine tanks, the publisher switches you to another of the magazines that are similar to finish your subscription. You will likely get some sort of notification regarding the remainder of your subscription soon.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 8:44AM
Sarah said...
I JUST purchased this magazine in the airport last week, i really enjoyed it, but did notice how thin it was.
I pulled the little card out and bought a subscription though..for me and my mom! I guess maybe they'll just cancel it? that sucks!
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 10:46AM
FJ Strobel said...
Popular? I am 61 years old. I have never even heard of the magazine. It must have had a great marketing/sales department.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 9:57AM
elcissa@aol.com said...
Oh this is too bad. I think Domino is one of the best home decor magazines on the market. It was a joy to flip through and inspiring to do it yourselfers too.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 10:16AM
dede said...
What happens to the future issues I have paid for??????
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 10:37AM
boredwell said...
I have used DOMINO on-line as a perk-me-up for years. Just opening the pages, filled with color and creative ideas, is enough to banish the blues. I'll miss it, for sure.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 11:07AM
WILL said...
JOE , IVE THERE IS A GOODWILL AUCTION SITE
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 3:46PM
BBC said...
There are several auction sites for goodwill type merchandise, ebay and craigs list are 2 of them
1-29-2009 @ 11:37AM
ROB said...
Great mag never heard of it
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 11:50AM
jim said...
so great i never heard of it. why don't you just report the news that is really news, or at least don't exaggerate your headlines just to make people read something they couldn't care less about.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 11:59AM
Kim Buca said...
I am so upset about the country home magazine i looked forward to getting that magazine every other month i would rush home to hope it was in the mail i have gotten so many good decorating tips and ideas from them! i felt like the 2 extra things i have i could never live without were my country home and country living magazines! I am reAlly bummed about this and glad i saved almost all of the last 2 years worth so i will be able to still reference them!!! bummer!!!!!
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 12:01PM
Kim said...
but thats why i loved country home magazine i saw pics of things i liked and when i decorated a room similaiar i would find all my ggreat treasures and things at the thrift(good will) i would put things together based off what i saw and liked with my own twist and those magazines were like "eye candy" lol
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 12:22PM
vgkflc said...
Sorry but I have never heard of this mag untill now. Are you sure it was popular?
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 12:56PM
Nina said...
jim if you think so little of this story why bother to comment on it? I never saw this mag but then I'm a country gal who's been making do for a long time. No fancy duds or pillows.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 1:36PM
dee said...
Never heard of it. No loss here.
Reply
1-29-2009 @ 1:43PM
Joy said...
NOOOO! Say it isn't so! This is the second subscription I have that is going under.
Reply