We got this question recently from a reader:

Hi ladies –

I have a chair and a loveseat that desperately need re-upholstering. I can do the work myself, but I’m looking for a good, Chicago-area foam source. (I also might replace my couch cushions if I can find someone decent.) I’m at a complete loss. I know you can buy foam at fabric stores, but I’m looking for a source that can provide industrial sizes and custom cuts. A bonus if it’s someone who does “green” foam, whatever that material is….

– Becky

So — anyone know where Becky can score some foam?

A while ago I purchased a vintage sheepskin rug for my living room. (You can see it on our Apartment Therapy tour. It really ties the room together, no?)

The problem is, my dog loves to camp out on it all day. She favors the sheepskin to her own comfortable, cozy dog bed. (My cats, however, avoid it like it’s a carcass. I guess it is.) So after about eight months of wear, the rug is looking a little dirty.

I regularly shake it out outside, use carpet deodorizer and baking soda on it, and occassional “comb” it with a fine tooth brush in order ot make it new. But I don’t want to shampoo or wash it unless I know it won’t ruin it. I’d almost rather take it to a dry cleaner than do it myself — but do dry cleaners do that kind of thing?

Can anyone suggest cleaning solutions for a sheepskin rug? Help!

Guys, who else is in love with the hanging spice rack in Don Draper’s new digs? (Click here for an interesting article about the set.) I tried to find it on Etsy, 1st Dibs, eBay, etc. and only found one rack that sort of looks like the one in Draper’s swank kitchen. Any of y’all out there have any info on this spice rack? Share your knowledge in the comments!

Oh pets. Usually hairy, sometimes fragrant cats and dogs that make upholstered furniture a chore to keep clean. What happens when you have to ditch their beloved perch of choice because the thing just can not be saved? Well, based on what happened last night when I had to get rid of my Midge’s favorite chair… they get kind of moody.

No more funny floral chair, Midge Pie. It just got too gross. I guess I have to get a regular dog bed or something? I had been making due with the tiny floral chair (as well as various hides) for her because she liked it, but a chair is obviously not that easy to keep clean — she broke the steamer, you guys. Do any of you have suggestions for easy to clean pet beds that don’t look like pet beds? or giant bean bags?

Inherited stuff you don’t know what to do with? Photo courtesy elliesnap.

If you’re a vintage dealer you probably get this question pretty regularly from people:

My family has been clearing out my grandparents’ home and we’ve found some items that we think we might be able to sell (I am holding on to some sentimental pieces, but really, it’s too much for me to keep it all).

I’m just not sure where to go to get a fair price on these items. I am not expecting to get a lot of money at all, but I’m just completely ignorant of the process. If there is anyone that you know of who might want to take a look at these things?

I would say I’m asked some variation of this question twice a week. What do I do with this thing I don’t know the value of, but think might be worth something? It’s a weird situation to be stuck in, inheriting things that seem to have a value (especially since every time you turn on the TV someone is cashing in their object inheritance for a fortune), but having no idea where to turn next.

Here’s the advice I usually give people.