Book Review: The Big Ass Book of Home Decor

I got an autographed copy of Mark Montano’s Big Ass Book of Home Decor at the Eclectic Products booth at CHA. This is the first Mark Montano book I have read (even though he literally wrote the book on dollar store decor… it’s called Dollar Store Decor, and I’ve had it on my to-read list forever.) I can’t believe I waited so long to check Mark’s books out! Big Ass Book of Home Decor could easily have been named “Big Ass Book of Dollar Store Decor.” This book was written for US, people!

If you love Dollar Store Crafts, then you will love this book. So many of our favorite dollar store materials are included, and some new-to-DSC materials from the hardware store, like rebar tie wire (which features prominently in several projects). Mark’s projects are mostly big and impactful, with lots of large-scale craft projects like chairs, mirrors, and other must-have home accents. His style is cheap and cheeky, with lots of exuberant color and a dash of kitsch.

I paged through the book and cracked up at Mark’s funny commentary and stories, and I felt like Mark and I were cute from the same cheap crafty cloth. His cloth is a lot funnier, though! Great creative minds think alike and it’s really cool to discover that I’m on a similar track to someone as creative as Mark.

If you’ve been waiting for me write a book, just go pick up Big Ass Book of Home Decor and cross out Mark’s name and write mine in.

Pulp Fiction Book by Mark Montano

Oh, and Mark has JUST released a new book called Pulp Fiction

Favorite Big Ass Projects

Twisted Lycra Lamp Sculpture

Lucite Plate-Holder Chandelier

Padded Frame Headboard

Block-Printed Suzani Blanket

Mod Office Folder Art

Spin Art

Striped Butterfly Chair

Resources

Mark Montano’s Blog
Buy at Amazon: The Big-Ass Book of Home Decor: More than 100 Inventive Projects for Cool Homes like Yours
Big Ass Project at Mark’s Blog: HP Lovecraft Chandelier
Big Ass Project at Mark’s Blog: Paint Chip Art
Big Ass Project at Mark’s Blog: Colorific Tea Set
Review of this book by Amy at Mod Podge Rocks

d: Links to buy books are amazon affiliate links & this book was given to me free by Mark Montano with no strings attached. Review was my idea, and all opinions are mine.

Tags: big ass, book review, Decor, dollar store crafts, mark montano

Heather

Heather Mann is chief editor of Dollar Store Crafts, and specializes in transforming inexpensive materials into stylish and simple craft projects. She has appeared on the Martha Stewart Show, in Reader’s Digest and the New York Times. DSC has been recognized as named one of Babble.com’s Top 10 Best Overall Craft Blogs (2011 & 2012) and Apartment Therapy’s 10 Crafty Blogs We Love (2010). Her work has been viewed by millions on the cover of FamilyFun magazine and on top websites such as RealSimple, Huffington Post, ABCNews.com, and others.

7 Comments

Mark Montano

February 12, 2011 at 2:02 pm

You’re just awesome! Thank you so much for your wonderful review. You’re right BTW, we were separated at birth.
Big hugs,
Mark
theresa

February 12, 2011 at 11:36 pm

I love his work. I just read the home decor book borrowed from the local library . I also read his big ass book of crafts, great stuff.
Sheryl

February 13, 2011 at 6:36 am

I want this book so bad. I have asked for it for my birthday. I have his big ass book of crafts and I love it! Now I will have to ask for his pulp fiction book too. :0)
Michelle L.

February 13, 2011 at 11:58 pm

That looks amazing – have seen a few of those projects individually, but it’s so much more impressive seeing them all collected. He’s kinda brilliant, no?
Kelly H

February 14, 2011 at 9:10 am

I have both of his “Big-Ass” books and love, love, love them! So inspiring. Even my husband, who admits he doesn’t have a crafty bone in his body, loves the domino covered parsons table and wants to try it. It’s on my of things to do. :)

Thanks for the heads up on his new book. I’ll have to check it out!