This is project #43, the George W. Bush redo, a cheap way for me to work in that I just finished reading An American Wife, a veiled fictional bio of Laura Bush. In it, the author projects the Bush family’s consensus on George’s intelligence: dim. Was it as true as his mother’s overbearing personality or Laura’s passive innocence?  It’s worth a read for a different viewpoint on the last eight years.

This week’s candidate is this cane back arm chair. North on Sheridan Road in Wilmette, someone put it out on the curb, full of hope that a pure and saintly soul would take it in.  I drove past it last Sunday, stopped and became the easy mark.

The caning on the chair back needs some attention, which my resident expert assures me will be a repair, not a replacement.  I believe him, so will concentrate on cleaning the frame and fluffing up the cushion with a modern print.  That’s what’s in store for this week’s project.

Anybody have a favorite source for interesting, indie fabric in Chicago? I thought I’d check out the designers featured at The Needle Shop in Wicker Park. This is also a good excuse to stop in to the India Sari Palace on Devon. Though I’ve never been, it’s time to satisfy my curiosity.

When you have a minute, head on over to read a time-saving lesson on stripping furniture at Back Garage. Katherine Raz’s dad sets us straight on which strippers to use where and how.