July 2025 | Issue 6 | Freedom
The Edit
Freedom. Freedom + independence may be buzz words for this time of year but we wanted to look at those words through a different lens than what we are used to. How can we feel free in our day to day lives? Free from being the victim of our own patterns, free from social pressures and influence, free to make our own choices and free to build + express our own identities. Though this can be overwhelming to think about and it may seem easier to follow how others say we should live, this is what makes us human. Without our autonomy, we are no different than machines and having control over our lives allows us to live our best life possible. Even when we are in unfortunate circumstances, we have the power to decide how we will let those circumstances affect us and how we will navigate forward.
Design Inspiration
Design Tip 1:
For a soothing sea salt blue, we love Lookout Point - 1646 - by Sherwin Williams. This color was made with a clear blue sky in mind + gives a clean feel to any space. With its gentle blue hue, you can use it to add color to an entire room or even just on a ceiling, trim or door to add a subtle uniqueness to any room or outdoor area.
Design Tip 2:
This is the perfect time of year to explore coastal interior design ideas. We recently worked on a beach home project and loved pulling inspiration from such a dreamy environment. When experimenting with the coastal aesthetic, think of the colors that are easy to find by the sea, like calming blues + grays, crisp whites and sandy neutrals. Add texture with natural materials like wood + linen. Make it your own - lean into a classic, clean feel or make it vintage using nautical artwork and accessories.
Tunes in the Office
Mind
The mind is our most powerful tool, yet most of us are raised without learning how to operate this miraculous tool in a way that best serves us. As a result we can easily become enslaved by boundaries we’ve created ourselves - by our own patterns of thought + emotional reactions. Freedom of the mind means to become aware of your mental activity so that you can become a conscious response to life, rather than a compulsive reaction to it.
Practicing some form of meditation is key to breaking these compulsive patterns of thought, but you can also work on creating freedom in the mind everyday in small ways. For example, you could consider whether you’re operating with a “growth mindset” or a “fixed mindset.” This concept, brought to light by American psychologist Carol Dweck, demonstrates how successful people believe their capabilities are not fixed but developed. That is as opposed to those with a fixed mindset who think their abilities + skills are something they’re born with and therefore, cannot be learned or changed. Which mindset you choose has a tremendous consequence on your life. It is the difference between feeling like you are in control of your life or believing you are always a victim of your circumstances.
Currently Reading
It’s pretty obvious that this month’s book club pick is perfect for this time of year!
In this summer romance novel, Alice returns to Barry’s Bay, a lake community in Ontario where her grandmother resides, but more importantly, it is where she experienced one magical summer when she was 17. Except this time, she’s all grown up and so is Charlie Florek. What awaits her upon this return?
If you love it, check out more stories on the lake like, “Every Summer After,” “Meet Me at the Lake” + “This Summer Will Be Different.”
Good Eats
We love this festive take on the classic charcuterie board perfect for your Independence day barbecue! This recipe showcases watermelon, strawberries + blueberries all in peak season during July. Use this recipe as inspiration to satisfy both healthy and savory cravings alike.
