Category Archives: Inspiration

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
~ Anais Nin

The Weld House: Fast and Furious furniture…

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Table in transformation...

This gallery contains 11 photos.

An update on the 2nd Floor lounge. We’ve put the petal to the metal, and it pretty much rocks. But first a quote, “It takes 8,460 bolts to assemble an automobile, and one nut to scatter it all over the … Continue reading →

Loving another creature is fishy…

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Some of the consultation Gadora’s colleagues have offered: I’m sorry about your cat, the best thing to do is get another one. The answer is unequivocally NO. I survived seventeen years of fuzzy love, hair on my clothes, and worries about weekends away and the rest of the responsibilities that came along with being a responsible pet owner.

But I have joked. I’ve had to. “There’s a strict no replacement policy. Maybe I’ll get a fish.” In reality I’m not angling to snare a fish. I eat them. I’m certainly not looking to love anything else right now. In Vegas Harley had a nest on the ottoman—just a pink wet nose  away from the fish tank. They were African Cichlids, and when we treated them to feeder fish, Harley thoroughly enjoyed his front-row seat. This one’s for you Pooh! Gadora has rounded-up a few clever fishy abodes.

A simple, repurposed round light-bulb tank for a lone little Beta fish by StarRedesigns on Etsy might make for a really happy fish.

Repurposed Light-buld by StarRedesigns.

Unica recently posted a fishcondo by Teddy Luong, with modern ABS shell. And, they’re easy to stack if you want a school.

Fish condo by Teddy Luong.

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Anatomic appointments…

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Roller Derby (and the occasional yoga before that) has been quietly transforming my wee little vessel. Hot and healthy bodies are all the rage. Recently Gadora stumbled across a few images of figure-shaped furniture and home accessories. Long ago, I’d entertained thoughts of constructing a jewelry box in the shape of a torso. Nipples for drawer-pulls. A shiny jeweled-navel. It never happened. Other bonafide designers have created furniture using beautiful bodies as inspiration.

Peter Rolfe’s “Gen III” birch plywood figure doubles as a jewelry chest. He’s channeled my subconscious—really—and with decidedly more genius. His “current work is heavily influenced by nature, using shapes that we all recognize but would not be traditionally thought of as furniture forms.” Look.

Peter Rolfe's "Gen III"

Peter Rolfe's "Gen III" close-up

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Some things are better in pairs…

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Some things flourish with a mate. A great lounger and its perfect ottoman. Donny and Marie. Roller Derby and protective gear. Home-furnishings sometimes warrant a coupling of similar items and prove some things are better in pairs. Two candelabras on a well-set table. Or, a pair of lamps flanking a well-made bed. Matchy-matchy is sometimes nice.

And while Gadora is refurbishing a twosome of 3-drawer bed tables, at an admittedly snail-like pace, I’ve been obsessed with homely combos and dig these Mid-Mod speckled-ceramic lamp bases (shade not included) from Etsy Seller: FabulousMess.

60s Mid-Mod Lamps

A pair of Vintage Mid Century Modern bookshelf speakers. “Each speaker measures 13 1/2″ tall and 10″ in diameter,” adds Etsy Seller Modnique, and “have been tested and work great.” Not at all sure how the “bookshelf” comes into play, but here you are.

Modnique's speaker tables...

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Juggling the junk we call life…

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NPR wrote a story about the additional 9+ million people who are currently underemployed. That’d be me. As a contract writer who didn’t pay into unemployment benefits, my “situation” has not been counted into the government’s numbers of those looking for work. I count, dammit. Admittedly “Gadora Wilder“ first came alive as a result of the “restructuring” of my last good gig, and now I find myself grateful. I am juggling. Looking for work. Sometimes I cry. I celebrate little victories. And work to market myself. Still without a full-time gig, opportunities are presenting themselves and Gadora is poised to take full, and appreciated, advantage of them all.

After organizing a very immediate To-Do list last night, Gadora googled “Circus 2010″ and Anthropologie’s latest catalog queued up. I’m juggling schedules, projects, friends, skating and The Squeeze. I’m quite inspired by it all. 2010 I’VE GOT YOUR NUMBER. And yes, you will be mine.

Anthropologie's Circus

An admission: instead of the ultra chic Anthro girl—clad in dainty dresses and über chic shoes—Gadora often feels a lil like this frizzy-headed girl masquerading in elf slippers (yes, I do own a felted pair with an up-turned toe).

Circus Girl

Circus Girl by Monjojo

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Repurposed piano bench…

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Post yoga Monday night, Gadora sifted through a nearby Goodwill for a few items on her list: the right woven basket for that still-in-progress egg-carton tentacle light, a suitable coffee table for a “crackle finish” commission, and anything that “wanted” refashioning. Soaked in sweat, I decided to come back Tuesday for a closer look.

The next evening, clean and clear-headed, Gadora returned for a pair of simple copper planters which read “Made in Turkey” underneath. I wanted the pine coffee table that could pass for an exact match to the one I’d refashioned last spring. Once there, only the planters remained. Noticeably upset, a worker approached and asked if he could help. Not unless you can locate that coffee table, no.

Piano bench ~ BEFORE

Piano bench ~ BEFORE

He disappeared for a moment, and returned with this here piano bench. Hmmmm, not on my list. But with the deal we struck it was practically free, so Gadora now has a lightweight piano bench to refurbish.

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Slipper chairs for the boudoir…

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My BFF recently added a simply lovely four-poster bed from Four Hands in her master suite. There’s ample space for a seating area in her expansive room, Gadora proposes, and inquired, “How do you feel about slipper chairs?” She likes. Scoured the internets yesterday looking for both inspiration, and an affordable option, so I might present several for The BFF to consider…

Suzie Page on Apartment Therapy

Suzie Page on Apartment Therapy

Late yesterday Apartment Therapy posted a house tour by Austin’s own Adrienne Breaux and it is LOVELY. While the wall color is stunning, it is the pairing of the room’s two feminine chairs that caught my eye. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a slipper chair as “an armless upholstered chair with short legs. Originally used in the bedroom, slipper chairs are now used as accent seating in living rooms, family rooms and even offices.”

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