Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Lifestyle Research Center	Dec. 31, 2011 Lifestyle Research Center	Dec. 31, 2010 Lifestyle Research Center	Dec. 31, 2009 MS Partnership	Dec. 31, 2012 Martha Stewart	Dec. 31, 2009 Martha Stewart	Dec. 31, 2012 Alexis Stewart	Dec. 31, 2011 Alexis Stewart	Dec. 31, 2010 Alexis Stewart	Dec. 31, 2012 Martha Stewart and Charles Koppleman Family Members	Dec. 31, 2011 Martha Stewart and Charles Koppleman Family Members	Dec. 31, 2012 JCP	Dec. 31, 2011 JCP
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Talent compensation								$ 2.0
Annual fee			2.0
Approved and documented household expenses			0.1
Reimbursements for approved and documented household expenses			0.03	0.10
Reimbursements for business activities			0.03		0.10
Reimbursements for insurance policy premiums						0.3
Target bonus							1.0
Maximum annual bonus percentage							150.00%
Expenses from related parties									0.03	0.30	0.40	0.40	0.70
Charitable contributions to related parties	0.03	0.02
Investment in company's outstanding common stock														16.40%	16.60%
Revenue from related parties														8.1
Receivables from related parties														$ 0.7