015: subtle shifts: embracing change, renewal & growth
Change as a Constant • Designer Spotlights • Music That Unfolds Over Time • Books to Grow With • Spaces That Evolve With Us
As March arrives, subtle transformations begin to unfold, light returns softly, buds peek through thawing earth, and something quietly shifts within us. It’s a season of renewal, an invitation to embrace the gentle yet powerful energy of change. This month, we pause to explore how small adjustments in our daily lives can foster meaningful growth, deeper connections, and fresh perspectives. Through mindful practices, intentional design, thoughtful exploration, and creative expression—including a playful nod to nostalgic simplicity inspired by Windows 95—we gently remind ourselves to honor the past, savor the present, and remain hopeful about the future. Because no matter how challenging the world is right now, we believe there's always room for joy, playfulness, and optimism as we navigate transitions, nurturing new opportunities within and around us.
Change as a Constant: Why It Matters
Change isn’t always easy. It asks us to let go of what’s familiar and step into the unknown. Yet, in those shifts lie the seeds of new ideas, habits, and ways of being. The natural world models this for us—trees shed leaves to make way for new growth, rivers reshape their paths over time, and seasons cycle without hesitation.
Embracing change means leaning into discomfort, knowing it often brings clarity and resilience. It’s the quiet realization that staying still isn’t the same as being grounded. Change reminds us that growth doesn’t always look like a leap—it can be slow, steady, and just as transformative.
It’s worth reflecting on how small shifts in our daily lives can open doors to new perspectives. While change can feel overwhelming, approaching it as a gradual process often makes it more approachable. It’s in the everyday moments—a subtle shift in routine, a decision to try something new—where meaningful transformation takes root. Rearranging a space, letting go of what no longer serves you, or taking a different path on your daily walk can be enough. These small acts remind us that change doesn’t have to be dramatic to be impactful. Sometimes, it’s the steady accumulation of little adjustments that lead to the biggest shifts.
Spaces That Evolve With Us
The spaces we inhabit play a role in how we navigate change. Sometimes, adjusting our surroundings can mirror internal shifts—rearranging a room, bringing in new textures, or simply letting more light in.
Globally, similar ideas take shape. In Japan, the concept of wabi-sabi celebrates impermanence and the beauty of the imperfect, while Scandinavian design often emphasizes functionality that adapts to different needs over time. These approaches remind us that spaces aren’t static—they can shift with us, offering comfort and inspiration as we navigate transitions.
Simple ways to reflect change in your space:
Swap out heavy winter textiles for lighter fabrics.
Rearrange furniture to invite fresh perspectives.
Add greenery that thrives in early spring light.
Open windows on warmer days to refresh the air and energy.
Designer Spotlights:
Change and growth are often reflected in the work of designers who use their craft to explore transformation, nature, and everyday rituals. This month, we’re highlighting two new creators whose work embodies these themes:
Kristina Dam Studio:
Based in Copenhagen, Kristina Dam Studio creates sculptural furniture and objects rooted in minimalism and functionality. Drawing inspiration from architecture and natural materials, the studio’s designs explore how form and function evolve together. Each piece invites thoughtful interaction, encouraging users to slow down and appreciate the details in everyday objects. Their work embodies the idea that simplicity can be dynamic and transformative.
Yuko Nishikawa:
A Brooklyn-based artist and designer, Yuko Nishikawa creates whimsical, colorful sculptures and lighting pieces that explore movement, light, and texture. Her work, often made from repurposed materials, plays with the concept of change—transforming overlooked objects into joyful, vibrant forms. Nishikawa’s pieces remind us that embracing play and curiosity can lead to unexpected beauty and new ways of seeing the world.
These designers show that growth isn’t just about seeking the new—it’s about reimagining what’s already around us, inviting us to interact more intentionally with the objects and spaces that shape our daily lives.
A playful tribute, and a note from hinter
Yes we know. At the core, hinter might appear simply as a hotel brand, a short-term rental, or "that beautiful Airbnb in the woods." But we'd like to think we're more than that.
We're culture. We collaborate with architects, carpenters, painters, furniture makers, photographers, and visionaries—people who inspire us, and hopefully, inspire you. We care about design, about the planet, about creating spaces that not only look beautiful but reconnect you to nature and yourself.
We’re always looking forward, designing experiences meant to last, to age gracefully, just like the trees surrounding our spaces. But we also deeply appreciate the past. Simpler times, slower rhythms, and moments when life felt a bit less noisy.
We remember being kids in the '90s, waiting anxiously as our computers booted up, the unforgettable Windows startup sound playing softly through crackly speakers. Hours spent on pixelated adventures, Solitaire victories, and feeling the excitement of exploring digital worlds that felt vast yet charmingly simple. This era reminds us of innocence, curiosity, and endless possibilities.
As a playful tribute to these memories, we've created something special—a nostalgic homage to Windows 95. It only works on desktop because, back then, there were no smartphones; the internet was a place you visited, not a place you carried.
It's our gentle way of saying: remember the past, embrace the present, and stay hopeful for the future.
Explore our playful tribute:
(And yes, we hid a secret easter egg. The first person to find it wins a complimentary night at any hinter space. Happy exploring!)
Books to Grow With:
Books have a way of guiding us through personal seasons of change. This month’s selections focus on growth, mindfulness, and nourishment—both of the mind and body.
"101 Mindfulness Practices to Ease Anxiety: Restore Your Mental Wellness with Breathwork, Guided Meditation, Mindful Movement & More" by Ashton August: Written by wellness expert and YouAligned founder Ashton August, this book offers accessible tools to help ease anxiety and cultivate mindfulness. With practical exercises ranging from breathwork to guided meditations, it encourages readers to find calm and presence amidst life’s changes.
"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer: A beautiful exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world, Kimmerer’s essays highlight how nature embraces cycles of change with grace and purpose.
"Cook Like a Homesteader: A Collection of Delicious, Nourishing From-Scratch Recipes" by Mel Matthews: Homesteading expert and creator of The Homestead Farm, Mel Matthews shares comforting recipes that emphasize from-scratch cooking and seasonal ingredients. More than a cookbook, it’s an invitation to slow down and connect with food in a way that nurtures both body and spirit.
"The Art of Possibility" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander: This book offers practical ways to reframe challenges and approach life with a growth mindset, making it easier to see change as an opportunity rather than a hurdle.
As we move through this season of subtle shifts, these books invite you to pause, reflect, and embrace the slower pace that growth often requires.
The Sound of Shifts
Music often marks transitions—whether it’s a song that carries you through a tough season or a melody that inspires new beginnings. This month, we highlight Hania Rani, a Polish pianist and composer whose work captures the delicate balance between movement and stillness. Her compositions are layered yet minimal, creating soundscapes that invite introspection and calm.
Albums like Esja and Home explore themes of change through fluid piano arrangements and subtle electronic textures. Rani’s music doesn’t rush; it unfolds gently, mirroring the slow pace that growth often requires. Her work reminds us that there’s beauty in taking things slowly, letting each note—or each moment—settle in fully.
Closing Thought
Change doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes, it’s the subtle things—a new habit, a different perspective, or the first bloom pushing through cold soil. This month, take a moment to notice where change is already happening around you. What’s shifting? What’s asking to be let go? And what new growth might be ready to take root?
We invite you to try something small: rearrange a space in your home, explore a new trail, or start a daily pause—even if it’s just five minutes. Change, after all, is about the quiet choices that add up to something new.
The future is bright.
Any thoughts provoked? Ideas sparked? Any corners of the internet worth sharing? Join the conversation and drop a comment below.
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