OmniBride™ & TWC: New Beginnings & Fond Farewells

The Wedding Chat has been a labor of love and a launching pad to something new and exciting for the entire online wedding community. You see we discovered a black hole…

As bloggers in the wedding industry we adore the vast blogosphere but, for a while, have felt such a deep void when attempting to research and find great content. Oh, we know it’s out there. In fact we take pride in the topics we’ve covered. But think about it-when you try to find something it’s often a time-consuming, hit-or-miss experience. There is so much valuable information out there and searching is like drifting aimlessly out in space.

Well, our frustration turned into opportunity. We connected with some tech virtuosos to help us create OmniBride, the first search-find-share destination solely for the wedding industry.

Our mission was to bring the entire online wedding community together so none of us has to wander aimlessly through the Internet to find great ideas, inspirations and resources.

We are just beginning to officially launch OmniBride and say a fond farewell to The Wedding Chat. We are sad for TWC to end as it has been steadily growing in popularity but feel our mission to bring together the entire online wedding community is the best use of our energies. We felt it even more when blogger Kelly Gribben, Keg Design, landed on us while she was randomly checking her site meter…”I discovered OmniBride as a referring site and one that is solely devoted to wedding-related things. What a cool concept! It’s definitely something the online wedding community can use.” We hope you think so too!

For brides: You’ll find that OmniBride is the most comprehensive destination for researching and planning your wedding.

For bloggers: Your voices will be heard by an exponentially greater audience. If the community loves your content, your stats will grow—and so will your fan base.

For industry: You have the opportunity to find out what the online wedding community is saying (or not saying) about your goods and services. You can engage in the community dialogues.

For journalists: This is your tool for researching and uncovering the latest buzz and resources.

You have the power to rate the value of a search result by either “loving” or “trashing” it so, unlike a general search engine, the community determines what rises to the top. So participate often and let your voice be heard throughout the wedding universe!

But there’s more to OmniBride—check out our feeds for the daily news and the most current wedding-related contests and giveaways. And if it’s being talked about—we’ll find it!

You may have noticed that this is a BETA version of OmniBride. This means that Version 1 is ready for take-off. But our vision doesn’t end here—count on an explosion of features and functions in the near future. For now, enjoy your exploration…and let us know about your experiences of finding it in the wedding cosmos.

Nesting Newbies™, for a Home Tweet Home™

Welcome to NESTING NEWBIES, the show that shows you how to have a home tweet home. Whether you’re a newlywed, newly out on your own, or have never had a clue!

Learn to prepare recipes such as Italian Sausage Ragu, Risotto Dungeness Crabcakes, or to even set a Mediterranean Seaside Table. Below, you can catch a glimpse of what you will see when you head over to nestingnewbies.com.

To make a show like Nesting Newbies, it takes an incredibly talented team! I feel very lucky to be working with such high-caliber professionals and product sponsors who collaborate to bring you each and every “Newbisode”.

While you are over there make sure to add Nesting Newbies to your feed, as we will be introducing new and exciting features soon! Enjoy the show! -Chef Lea McIntosh

We’ve Got You Covered!

Check out new ways to beautify your walls, windows and furnishings.

Elegant & Refined. Farrow & Ball introduces The Lotus Papers their first collection of block printed wallpapers in an artisanal lotus flower design reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts movement. All wallpapers are zero VOC and printed on FSC approved paper. They come in 30 sumptuous colors in two pattern sizes.

Reinvent Your Environment. A fresh take on the common shade comes from OrangePiel, a Sausalito based company. Their inventive shades are affordable (as low as $75) and completely custom up to 16 ft. wide and 50 ft. long. Designs come from their artist gallery, your favorite photograph or own original art. They’re a perfect application for any space in the home or corporate environment.  Check out the possibilities on their web site or call the helpful McCool’s (father or son) at 415.869.8824.

Graphic Expressionism. More art!  More individuality!  Creative design studio, ROLLOUT, delivers both with their custom wallpapers. You can design your own, let them create something innovative for you, or choose from a diverse community of artists’ designs. Prices range from $8 to $10 a square foot plus any applicable design fees.

“Bikes” from ROLLOUT’s Artistic Series

Rollout custom paper by Anita Modha and Jonathan Nodrick

Eco-Linen. The Q Collection introduces Espalier, a hand-printed, 100% Belgian linen ground with heavy metal-free pigments. Available in Bluet, Anjou and Lychee colorways.

Harmonious Hues. Christopher Peacock presents Collection No. 1, a line of ninety luscious paint colors both highly durable and environmentally responsible. The perfect shades await you at the Christopher Peacock showrooms across the country.

Have a Seat

Do you have or are you marrying into a big family?  Do you have lots of friends? Do you like to entertain? If you are wondering where you are going to fit everyone when it’s your turn in the holiday rotation or the next pot luck get-together then look no further than stackable and folding chairs.  Forget mom’s old card table chairs she got from the Spiegel catalog…today there are so many stylish and affordable alternatives.  Buy as many as you can afford and add to the stack until you have as many as you’ll ever possibly need.  Instead of hiding them in the attic, consider stacking them in a corner, lining them in soldier-like formation along a wall or hanging them on pegs Shaker style – they’ll work as functional art to be pulled into service the next time the party’s at your place. – JM

Here are some of my favorite picks:

Raul Barbieri designed the retro Olivia Chair to be durable and comfortable…not to mention chic!  It comes in so many fab colors so you can stick with your basic black, punch it up with one of the brights, or choose a mix for a sense of fun.  $204 each.

Favola has a trademark keyhole opening – love that! –  and is formed of laminated beech and chrome steel.  $149 each.

The Victoria Ghost Chair, designed by iconic Philippe Stark in 2005, is elegant, modern and can be used both indoors and out.  It can be stacked up to seven chairs high.  Because of their transparency, they don’t take up too much visual space and they work in either modern or traditional settings.  $330 each.

If that’s a bit steep for your budget, here’s another acrylic choice in the Reena folding chair. $150 for two.

The bamboo folding chair from Ballard Designs can seat a crowd in style.  $99 for a set of two.

The St. Germain folding chair was inspired by an original found in a Paris shop – tres jolie!  $129 each.

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Jodi Murphy
Jodi Murphy is a contributing writer for Gentry Magazine and Gentry Design writing the At Home Column, Kitchen and Bath Department and feature Interior Design stories.  She has contributed to California Home and Design, San Francisco Design Center’s 3D, and Ranch & Coast magazines. She has developed campaigns and marketing programs for clients in a variety of industries including interior design, fitness and high-tech.  Her latest ad(venture) is Nesting Newbies, a McIntosh & Murphy ReelCre8tive Production.  This is a first in a series of new products in partnership with Lea McIntosh.

Merging His & Hers into a Happy Home

Katherine Phelps, owner of  VKOOS DESIGN, is an interior designer with a zest for life that translates into the happy spaces she creates for her clients. She also married Josh only a few years ago, so I asked her for some insights into the sometimes tricky task of merging his and hers, especially when HIS includes some “interesting” things. Let me share her thoughts…

JM: When my husband and I bought our first home and he pulled out his head candle with an arrow through the head, I didn’t know what to do! How do I not hurt his feelings, yet keep that thing out of my house?

Katherine: Josh didn’t have much, but for some of his weirder accessories, I suggested that we both put our personal favorites into our private office space where we would be able to enjoy them most…and others wouldn’t see as often.

JM: That’s what I ended up doing! And then a few years later, when we made room for our first baby, the head candle was donated – a safety issue with a new baby, you know. Can you share a few more tips that might help with the process?

Katherine: If there is an item you can’t agree on, then you have to compromise. A good way to approach this is to have the piece refinished, or reupholstered, or have the picture turned into a black-and-white, or turn that weird accessory into a lamp or repurposed into a funky vase. Think outside the box.

Let him know it is okay to be eclectic. Some men get the idea that everything has to match in style and color. Also, I find that letting him make the big picture design decisions, like picking out all of the architectural features of the room – crown molding style, hardware on the doors, etc – he won’t be as interested in the rest of the details.

One of the special things that you can do for your spouse during this sometimes difficult design time is gather up all of HIS favorite family and youth photos, enlarge them, frame them, and give them as a gift to your spouse. Tell him that these will be given a place of honor in the house, like the entry hall or stairway wall.

As much as our homes are our sanctuaries away from the rest of the world, you both need to be happy with your mutual spaces. Compromise. And remember that all of these things can always be changed or replaced, but your friendship and love is what will fill your home with the most happiness and beauty.

Built in close up (below): Katherine and her husband, Josh, live in a Cape Cod cottage-style home, so she tried to stay true to that architecture. This close-up shows two built-in bookcases flanking their red brick fireplace. She has mixed their items together in an artful display. The two birds, bronze horse, and dog plate are Katherine’s; the antique Cow bell from Switzerland is Josh’s; and the books are theirs.

Chairs close-up (below): The second picture shows a small area in their living room. The two chairs were chosen by the couple. “I had picked out all of the furniture pieces and custom fabrics and then made a presentation to Josh. He liked all of the fabrics that I had chosen for our sofa and two chairs. I let him choose the leather for our oversized ottoman in the middle of the room. Also, the reading light was Josh’s, so I incorporated that in between the two sitting chairs.” The paint color in the background is Wedgewood gray, an historical color from Benjamin Moore. They both love it.

Well said. Katherine’s favorite sources for inspiration and resources are Domino Magazine and The Nest.  If you live in the Bay Area, you might want to hire her to help you and your spouse find a merged sense of style.   She breathes new life and personality into every space she encounters. – JM

Learn more about Katherine Phelps and her company VKOOS DESIGN at www.VkoosDesign.com

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Jodi Murphy
Jodi Murphy is a contributing writer for Gentry Magazine and Gentry Design writing the At Home Column, Kitchen and Bath Department and feature Interior Design stories.

Mass Market Luxury – Create a Reading Nook

Good design…once reserved for the élite has now become available to the rest of us thanks to HGTV and mass retailers, such as Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Target. The furnishings I longed for, but couldn’t afford, are now being interpreted in more pleasing price points. Granted, the quality isn’t as good, but most last long enough until you are ready for a new look.  If you are newly married and in your first home, these couture design/budget priced furnishings are the best way to begin decorating your new spaces.  It’s your chance to choose a design direction and live with your style choices while you grow and change together in your marriage.  As you learn what works best for your family, you can upgrade and invest in custom pieces.  The trick to mass market design is to choose pieces from several companies, so you’ll achieve a more personal look.  If you buy everything from one place, you’ll find that you feel like you’re living in a catalog.

Here are some things I’d purchase to create a READING NOOK:

I’d start with the Hennessy Chair from Crate and Barrel (www.crateandbarrel.com) in Topaz – It has great lines and would fit into both a traditional and modern space.

I’d already have the Dramatic Damask Rug from Shades of Light (www.shadesoflight.com)  on the floor, so I could nestle the chair in a corner on the rug.

Then I’d get the Modern Floor Lantern from West Elm (www.westelm.com)  – it looks like it would shine the light on just the right spot, and it’s so sleek and stylish!

I’d add some bling using the Metallic Chinese Garden Stool in silver from Wisteria (www.wisteria.com) as the side table.

Finally, I’d bring in a punch of color in a pillow. These are fun, chic options:

Ballard Designs  (www.ballarddesigns.com)  – Coral Needlepoint pillow in Coral

Bliss Living Home  (www.blisslivinghome.com) - Dahlia Pillow

Williams Sonoma Home  (www.wshome.com)  – Pineapple Silk Twill Pillow
The Pineapple is the symbol of welcome!

Modern Dose  (www.moderndose.com)  – Queen Pillow

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Jodi Murphy
Jodi Murphy is a contributing writer for Gentry Magazine and Gentry Design (www.gentrymagazine.com) writing the At Home Column, Kitchen and Bath Department and feature Interior Design stories.