I don't usually like to post sad news here at ABT because I personally try to concentrate on the happy things in life and I try, as much as possible, to make ABT a happy, positive place for you my readers. But today is not a happy day. Today is a sad day and a day which I cannot let pass by without making my very small voice heard.
This morning I woke to emails from some of my lovely blog friends {Jo, Heather & Natalie} letting me know about the awful and I must say depressing news that Domino Magazine is finished....what we all thought was 'For Like Ever' is now 'For Like Gone'.
Each month, like lots and lots of people around the world I looked forward to my Domino subscription arriving in my mail box, albeit much later than my American friends...but always worth the wait.
In my opinion Domino has been a breath of fresh air. It has supported young, up-and-coming Designers and has been a magazine which has inspired me as a young Designer to think outside the square. It has offered Eco-Friendly Design, Budget-Friendly Design and overall I feel that it has offered achievable Design.
I spoke to Natalie Walton this morning {via email}, the Deputy Editor of Real Living Magazine here in Australia and I said to her I hope this doesn't start happening to our favourite Australian Home Magazines. Her response was interesting.....
"I think part of the problem with US mags is that they charge so little for the subscriptions – often only $1 an issue – that they’re really heavily reliant on advertising so when that drops they don’t have much room left to manoeuvre within their budget."
I agree with Natalie. I certainly think Domino was very inexpensive and I would have paid double, even triple the price for my monthly issue. Our Australian Home magazines range in price from roughly $6.00 to $10.00 an issue.
However, there really isn't anything we can do. I feel sad for the contributing Sylists, Writers, Photographers, Designers featured and Staff of Domino and I feel sad that these horrible times are taking away our small pleasures.
Good-bye Domino. You will be missed by many.
Image - Domino Magazine
36 comments:
i just posted a blog about this too. it's really crappy news :(
very well put. it was one of the few magazines that i feel really spoke to my aesthetic and age range...and where i am, decor-wise, in life. each month it provided a wealth of tips and inspiration for me.
i agree with what your friend said about subscription rates. i often notice that u.s. subscriptions, if you are in the u.s., are quite inexpensive. i think a year issue was only about $10? whereas here in canada a subscription to style at home (a great design mag) is $23/year.
ah well, as you said there isn't anything we can do now.
I would have paid a lot too. That is the only mag that I ever look forward to getting!! Sad news!!
So sad... and being late to the party, I'd only just gotten into it! Rats! A-M xx
oh no it is a sad day indeed! I discovered Domino through ABT and really loved their website too. So lucky I got the Domino Decorating Book for Christmas from Miss Sharnel as a keepsake :o)
Thanks Anna for leading the way to this refreshing mag - so sorry to see it FOR LIKE...GONE too.
Even though we have a 150 year old house and serious (and not-so-serious) antiques, I loved that magazine and really looked forward to it every month. Very informative and creative, interesting columns. What a shame. And Country Home is gone, too! What to read now besides Vogue and House Beautiful? Yikes!
This is the most sad news I've had in a long time. I would have gladly paid double! Although w/our fledgeling US economy, I don't know that charging more would have been realistic. I mean, with the price being so cheap in the first place, you'd think they would have more subscribers than they know what to do with. Oh well, it is sad no matter how you look at it! I will definitely miss Domino.
sniff, sniff.
I live in the US and I'm heartbroken that paying more for it might have kept it around. The publishers should know we'd pay more to get our fix. It's like too many things/places that are disappearing right now. At least Domino was a great escape. If Vanity Fair goes, I swear I will go with it.
Thanks Everyone for your comments! A very sad day indeed!
x
Anna
The editor is right I think, here in Argentina mags are more expensive too, anyway the business was very affected in 2001 crisis and never recovered properly.
I saw the news yesterday on a few blog sites....I just didn't want it to be true, so I put it out of my mind. I must face the fact today - unfortunately. This is the only mag I looked forward to seeing in the mailbox and typically read each and every page! I'm terribly sad here in Texas... I hear we have until March before we no longer receive issues. Until then, let's savor every bit. :) Thank goodness I have back issues. They will always inspire me.
I saw the news yesterday on a few blog sites....I just didn't want it to be true, so I put it out of my mind. I must face the fact today - unfortunately. This is the only mag I looked forward to seeing in the mailbox and typically read each and every page! I'm terribly sad here in Texas... I hear we have until March before we no longer receive issues. Until then, let's savor every bit. :) Thank goodness I have back issues. They will always inspire me.
So very true. In the US, I pay so little for these subscriptions, yet they are more or just as valuable as an expensive design book. I think most would pay the higher rate becasue these are such wonderfl publications.
As sad as I am for myself over the loss of my monthly Domino dose, you bring up a very good point. .. All of the amazing minds that have been employed by Domino are surely more affected than the readers... I wish them the best and hope we hear from them again soon in some outlet or another!
Hi Anna, first & foremost, love your blog!
Second, sad day for many of us indeed.
Last, I would be double (maybe triple) if it's a magazine I really loved and this case I would have done that for Domino. Luckily I have a few issues that will stay with me forever, but of course, it won't be the same. Maybe one day if the economy gets beter it will return.
Until then, only the memories. :(
I am soooo bummed. I gave out so many subscriptions for Christmas too. Perhaps, Anna you could do a post on the best Aussie mags.... I think I might have to subscribe to some of yours!
xx Trina
i am 100 percent gutted!!!!!!! i was so afraid of this happening when i heard that my other favorite cottage living was no longer. this is unrelenting!! i keep every single issue of domino in a shrine like position on the hearth of my (non functioning) fireplace. now i have to blog about this too. sigh.
*jenny
http://myfavoriteandmybest.blogspot.com/
I know! Isn't that sad? :(
I totally, totally agree. I have always thought of Domino (and other great mags) as a required part of my design business, and would gladly have paid what they were worth vs. seeing them go the way of the dinosaur. Like many other people I've heard from over here in the States, we're going to turn to more and more international shelter mags to fill the void. Any 'must haves' from your neck of the woods?
This is terrible I was just planning on getting a subscription! How can I get my hands on some back issues?
Jen
I am absolutely depressed by this news. This makes three of my favorite design magazines that have folded in the last two months, including Cottage Living and Country Home. The idea that we will be going backwards in the availability of design images and ideas is sad indeed. To have had so many wonderful magazines to choose from was a golden time.
I've only just found Domino Magazine and haven't even had the chance to see an issue in real life. Its such a shame.
Thanks for posting this. I originally came to Domino through your Blog and subscribed and totally love it as well! I thought it would be safe as it seemed so well established. What a blow. I also subscribe to Romantic Homes in the US as they are so expensive to buy in Australia (nearly twenty dollars for that one!) I hope it survives but if Domino went under...
This is terrible news for all of us design addicts.
Domino truly was a breath of fresh air. I was always excited to see what new trends and new designers they would introduce to me every month.
This is a sad day.
xo
Brooke
I just posted about this as well. I'll be sad to see it go, only one more issue to come. There are so many shelter magazines that have disappeared within the last year. I'll miss Blueprint and Domino the most.
Hi everyone
I just caught on the news today!! The worst thing is, I finally prompted myself to start subscribing to Domino late last year and only ever received 2 issues - which I so-looked-forward-to! The second darnest thing is that I'm getting abit more serious about home decor etc these days because we are going to start building our house soon. Just when I need more reference than ever!!! Thank goodness I am faithful to Real Living :) ...and I also stalk a few blogs in my free time, so *~ HELLO there inspiring bloggers who have given me so much eye candy and wisdom ~* And Anna, your blog is bar far one of the loveliest, so is your shop though I've spent more time admiring your shop window than actually going in (except for the one time when i picked up the porcelain owl). Keep up the loveliness! Cheers, OL
I am totally surprised... I just ordered two more subscriptions for my daughters-in-law. I loved this magazine so much and I was telling everyone about it.
This is the third subscription this month that has gone under....
At least we can enjoy your wonderful blog.
Truly heartbreaking. As you so eloquently said, these horrible times are taking away some of our simplest pleasures. I eagerly awaited my subscription each month in New York. It has been a great relief from these stressful times. Two hours to myself on the couch, devoted to the escape that is dreaming about my next home. I invested countless hours in My Deco File (with many Absolutely Beautiful Things images!), planning my country home. I am sorry this great resource will no longer be available to us.
Let's hope our Australian magazine don't fall to the same fate :(
OMG Anna - this is awfully terribly sad news... I just loved their mag and their decorating book that sprung from this fresh contemporary mag. I share your sentiment with our Australian mags..I would hate to have any of the great Australian home & garden lifestyle mags face closure. Just in the fashion & furniture industry there are already so many of my friends looking for new jobs as clothing wholesalers and decoator items/ furniture wholesalers hutring with the majors like Domayne (Harvey Norman group) hitting it hard
As at 31 Jan 09 - SMH.com.au reported '... with 163 Harvey Norman stores, 16 upmarket Domayne stores and 15 lowest-tier Joyce Mayne stores at the end of June. Of these, about 20 per cent were loss-making, he said. "We have some other [stores] on the books to close as well," Mr Harvey said yesterday.
I just really hope tis economic ripple effect can stay mostly over the Atlantic and not cross the Pacific too much...
Take care,
Sarah
palatialliving.blogspot.com
I too am heartbroken over Domino. It really is a quality magazine with great designers, read-worthy articles, and lovely tips. I rely on it as an interior designer and a twenty-something house renovator. When the US's House and Garden went under, Domino was the only good thing to come out of it. I think Conde Nast (the publisher) should reevaluate.
It is so depressing when we hear unexpected stories from seemingly successful companies who are struggling to keep afloat, Domino mag will be missed.
I love magazines but I must say, only wealthy Americans would be able to pay for a magazine subscription that cost so much.
WHAT?
I can not believe this is happening!
I LOVE this magazine.
This is the second magaine I adore that has closed it's doors.
I am so sad.
Another good one bites the dust. Both my Mary Engelbreit and Cottage Living were also canceled. I can't believe it.
I just came across this awesome blog, and I'm glad I saw this post! I am so disappointed to see Domino go away. I agree with you that I would have willingly paid much more than the subscription price they charged, because in my opinion, it is the best magazine for your money.
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