I was excited to be asked to participate in the 5th Annual DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) “Chairs for Charity” event held on November 7th at Consentino.  The event was sponsored by Chicago Home + Garden Magazine and featured the designs of 15 area design professionals.  The parameters were clear – we were asked to take a vintage chair and rework it as a submission for the event’s silent auction.  My inspiration came from trips to Santa Fe, New Mexico – where my parents live. On my last trip I came across this handsome and very old Mexican Blanket at a local resale shop. In spite of its age, the color and condition were fantastic. The blanket served as the primary upholstery for a circa 1960s Bergere Chair which I came across at a North Shore estate auction. For the piping and trim I used a silk burlap which complemented the geometric pattern in the blanket beautifully. The deep honey color of the wood strongly framed the piece – reminding me of the waxed wooden vigas seen in and around New Mexico.  At the end of the night my chair sold (woo hoo), the perfect finale for an inspiring and affirming night.