Summer Light, Studio Shifts & Gentle Inspiration

Here in Toronto, the air is heavy with the kind of heat that makes everything slow down — and rightly so. July asks us to soften our pace. It’s not the month for pushing, but for pausing. For letting days unfold rather than rush by.

I’ve recently returned from two weeks away — a stretch of time that felt like a deep exhale. We travelled from late June through to early July, visiting Stockholm, Helsinki, and Edinburgh — three cities that have always fed my creative spirit. It was a mix of familiar and new places and fresh perspective, all threaded together by cool air, soft light, and the kind of beauty that doesn’t demand your attention but lingers quietly in your mind.

Stockholm was a return visit, and with good reason. We stayed again at Ett Hem, a hotel I love for how seamlessly it merges elegance and ease. It’s a space that nourishes — not just visually, but energetically. Everything, from the way the rooms are composed to the conversations around the communal tables for dining, feels quietly intentional. You leave feeling restored in the way only the best design — and hospitality — can offer.

A stay at a beautiful space like Ett Hem really nourishes my design sensibilities and heightens all the touch points we strive to deliver in our everyday. Staying in good places for me equates being on a design intensive. I watch how people move and react to the space, what works and how people simply behave when they are immersed in beauty. 

In Helsinki, I found myself drawn to the quiet confidence of the design culture there. It’s not fussy. It’s not trying to be something it’s not. It’s functional, tactile, often humble — but layered with deep consideration. There’s a design intelligence in Finland that I find inspiring and beautifully grounding. 

I loved the cities culture and their strive for equality in EVERYTHING! Their library etiquette is something I have never experienced before – if you need something you can probably get it from the library – from sheet music to power tools to renting a studio to recording a podcast or a song or playing X-box with your kids. It’s all there and all available with your library card – no extra fees! Oh and they have cafes and comfortable chairs so you can hang out and simply be. 

Their sauna culture was something I took great advantage of and went to the sauna every day we were there. It makes you feel so good. 

And then there’s Edinburgh, which always feels like a coming home. It’s hard to explain the comfort of a place where the buildings, the weather, and simply the air feel familiar in your bones. We walked the old streets and took in the layered greys of stone and sky — a palette that speaks to me year after year. We climbed Arthur’s Seat with our niece and nephew and dined on fish and chips afterwards! 

We walked for miles everyday, took in as much of the city as we had time for and relished seeing our loved ones. 

All the places we traveled to were on the water and that just feels good to me. Maybe its because I’m a fire sign – but water really soothes me, just having it in my sight line for two weeks was a treat. 

Studio Shifts

Back in the studio, we’re in full swing — projects are moving ahead at pace, samples are arriving daily, and the ideas are flowing. 

While the creative output hasn’t slowed, we’ve made a small seasonal shift in how we work: an early start and an early Friday finish, giving us all a little more time to soak up the summer sun. With the team rotating through their well-earned holidays from now through the end of the summer season, there’s a wonderful rhythm taking shape — one that balances productivity with presence with everyone covering for those away, in the knowledge that their time is coming too. 

We have two photo shoots scheduled which I’m very excited about – its all in the planning with these things, oh and the weather behaving. Last July we shot on the day that had the torrential once in a decade rainfall. It was pitch black outside till about noon. So hopefully there won’t be a repeat of that! 

We’re also preparing for a transition within the team. 

Our wonderful Monique is going on maternity leave in early August, and while we’ll miss her dearly, we’re so happy for her and all that’s ahead in this next chapter. 

It’s a reminder that growth takes many forms — and not all of them happen on paper or in plans.

Hello August

As we look toward the second half of the year, I’m excited for what’s ahead — from project completions to fresh beginnings, and everything in between. 

Autumn will bring with it not only new design chapters here at home, but also inspiration abroad. I’m currently planning design trips to London and Madrid, two cities I love for their depth, contrast, and creative pulse. There’s something invigorating about walking into a new season with both intention and curiosity — and I can’t wait to share more along the way.

I look forward to connecting with you on our socials, in person or in the journal next month, thank you, as always, for reading.

Warmly, Gillian

Credits, images, musings and some more contents of my head.

Trio of header images from left to right 1. a Marimekko fashion image from Vogue, 2 Svenskt Tenn fabrics galore and 3 a photo by me of a Georgian townhome in Edinburgh. Image 4 is also by me taken in Svenskt Tenn. 5. A quiet corner from Ett Hem. 6. The staircase in the Oodi library in Helsinki. This features artwork consisting of 381 painted words that were suggested by the public through the library’s website. Everyone was invited to propose who deserved to have the library dedicated to them.  7. Edinburgh rooftop view. 8. flowers from Ett Hem. 9. Me by Virginia Macdonald.

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