I am tickled by the seven deadly sins in plate format. What a funny use of these grandma-style floral antiques! The set of 7 plates was for sale on Etsy, but alas it has sold. I guess the 7 virtues will have to do.

Thanks to sfgirlbybay for sharing!

Hudson’s Bay Company point blankets are a common feature in many Canadian households. My own family had one that was older than me! I’ve noticed them on a few interior design blogs lately, so I thought I’d find out a bit more about them.

In fact, these classic yet cozy blankets were used as currency in the beaver pelt trade that first drew Europeans to the area that came to be known as Canada. Says the CBC: “First given to Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples in exchange for beaver pelts in 1780, the HBC point blanket has since been used in everything from fashion to bedding to canoe repair.” 

They’re called “point blankets” because of the French term “empointer,” which means “to make threaded stitches on cloth.”

And finally, the most “famous” HBC point blanket – the one with the gren, red and yellow stripes – was introduced in 1800.

Photo credits: Scout & Catalogue, Marion House Book (x2), Design Sponge (x2)

Castle is an Australian brand created by Rachel Castle that makes the loveliest handmade linens and artwork. Most recently they’ve teamed up with another company, Gorman, to launch a clothing line inpsired by the Castle aesthetic. The products are total eye candy, don’t you think?

Photos from Castle’s website and Facebook page, clothing shot from Ish and Chi blog.

A little preview of items that will be hitting IKEA stores in Canada in mid-August. I love the vintage look of these items, especially the picture frames!