A Day in the Studio: Creating During the Lightest Months

There’s a quiet kind of magic that fills the studio during the lightest months of the year. In our small cottage studio, nestled in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside, the long summer days bring a different kind of energy—a creative, peaceful flow that mirrors the natural world just outside the door.

Our studio is tucked in a corner of an 18th-century cottage, where the low light filters in through small windows, casting a soft glow over everything. The old beams of the house have stories of their own, and as the sun moves through the sky, we can’t help but feel grateful for the subtle beauty of this space. From here, we watch as the garden thrives, the paddock stretches out beyond, and the allotment offers up its bounty.

But it’s not just the views that make the studio feel special—there’s a sense of calm in the air that seeps into everything we do. Today, I’d love to share what a typical day in the studio looks like during these light-filled months, with a glimpse of the rhythm that guides our days of creating, designing, and connecting with nature.

The Morning: Soft Light and Inspiration

The day begins early here, as the sun gently rises over the garden and filters through the low windows. The light is soft and golden, casting long shadows and creating a stillness that makes it easy to ease into the day.

As I sit at my desk, the light shifts, filling the room with a peaceful energy. Louis, our dog, is lounging lazily on the cool, rustic paving of the garden, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun. It’s these quiet moments with him—when everything feels just a little slower—that often spark the best ideas.

Through the window, I can see the garden in full bloom, with the allotment in the distance showing off its early summer crops. The view is full of inspiration—the delicate petals of flowers, the movement of leaves in the breeze, and the deep green of the paddock beyond. These moments feel like the perfect start to any creative process.

I’ll usually begin by sketching or jotting down ideas for our seasonal candle collections. The natural world outside the window often sparks the direction for our scents—like the delicate sweetness of garden blooms or the grounding, earthy smells of the turned soil. There’s an organic flow to how the scents come together, inspired by what we see and feel around us.

Midday: Focus and Flow

By mid-morning, the day is fully awake. The light has grown brighter, and the studio hums with activity. There’s a sense of flow in the air as we move from one project to the next— packaging, or prepping for seasonal releases. Each task feels deeply connected to the land around us.

Louis has long since moved to the garden, where he sprawls under the shade of a tree, content in his own world. There’s a calmness in the space—one that encourages concentration, yet doesn’t feel rushed. The summer months feel abundant with ideas, but also with room for pauses, for moments of reflection, and for time spent connecting with the garden.

On days like today, we’re likely pouring candles for our upcoming restocks, where the natural surroundings guide every decision. The process is slow and deliberate—just like the seasons themselves. The scent blending, the pouring, the labelling—it all happens in a rhythm that feels attuned to the energy of the land. In the background, you can often hear the rustle of the leaves outside or the soft chirping of birds—nature’s soundtrack as we work.

Afternoon: A Walk, A Pause, and A Little Refreshment

By afternoon, the light shifts once again, and it’s time for a small pause. The cottage itself remains cool and calm, despite the heat outside, and there’s always time for a short walk around the garden. Louis often joins me for these brief wanderings—he’s always up for a stretch in the sun or an adventurous romp around the paddock.

The allotment is a peaceful retreat, where I often spend a few minutes checking on the herbs and vegetables that are thriving in the rich soil. Whether it’s picking a few sprigs of rosemary or lavender or simply marvelling at how everything seems to grow so effortlessly in the summer, these moments ground me. Nature’s abundance fills the space around us and fuels our creativity.

Afternoons are often spent finalizing details for upcoming projects—whether it’s designing packaging for a new collection or planning photoshoots that capture the essence of the season. The light streaming through the windows gives everything a soft glow, making it the perfect time to work on visuals or refine details.

The Evening: Soft Glow and Reflection

As the sun begins to set, the light in the studio takes on a different quality. The beams in the cottage cast long shadows, and there’s a quiet, golden glow that fills the room. This is the time when the studio feels at its most intimate—when everything slows down and comes together.

I often take a few moments to sit and reflect on the day. The rhythm of the light, the garden, and the peaceful pace of the cottage encourage a sense of mindfulness. The evening light invites ideas to settle, like the warmth of a candle’s glow as it burns steadily into the night.

Before closing up for the evening, I’ll often light one of our candles and take a moment to enjoy the fruits of our labour. The scent fills the space, creating a calm, restful atmosphere—a reflection of the day’s work and the connection we feel to the land around us.

Creating during the lightest months feels like a privilege. The countryside offers so much inspiration—through its soft light, the wildness of the garden, and the sense of peace that fills our small cottage studio. Every day is a reminder of the beauty of working at a slower pace, rooted in nature, and surrounded by the quiet rhythms of the season.

As the days grow longer and the garden blooms with the fullness of summer, we’re grateful to be here, creating, designing, and finding joy in the simple moments. The connection between the land, the light, and our work in the studio is what keeps us grounded, and it’s what allows us to create with intention and love.

Thank you for being part of our journey and for allowing us to share this space with you. We hope you find moments of peace and inspiration in your own surroundings, just as we do every day here.