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JULY 2025 860.613.6290 WWW.ROBERTCWHITE.COM ‘Let’s Do Something, Even if It’s Wrong’ SUMMER WORK, SWEAT, AND A FEW CROOKED NAILS SHAPED MY DOER MINDSET
My wife recently pointed out that this summer will likely be the last one that we don’t have a kid doing a “summer job” for a very long time. Evelyn is 15 now, and the “working age” in Connecticut is 16. That got me thinking about summer jobs I did when I was younger. For me, that doesn’t trigger thoughts of name tags, uniforms, or minimum wage checks. Instead, I think of the hot sun beating down on rooftops, the weight of 2-by-4s on my shoulder, and the sharp buzz of a table saw in the driveway.
For several summers during high school and early college, I worked side-by-side with my dad, a middle school woodshop teacher by trade and a skilled carpenter by passion. My dad had a side hustle long before side hustles were cool. He owned a few rental properties, baled and sold hay, and took on carpentry projects to supplement his teacher’s income. And, every summer, I became his helper. Sometimes, it was installing siding on a multifamily home he owned in Hartford. Other times, it was building a deck or a small addition with a friend of his, Patrick, another teacher who turned into a construction pro when the school year ended. I wasn’t a master craftsman — far from it. I didn’t know how to install hardwood floors or measure roof pitch angles, but I was there. I ran to get tools. I fetched lumber. I “hupped” bundles of shingles up ladders. I held things in place and cleaned up the job site. And most importantly, I learned. I learned what it meant to work hard — not in the motivational poster sense, but in the sweaty, hands-blistered, shoulders-sore-at-the- end-of-the-day sense. I learned how buildings came together, step by step. I learned to listen, to observe, and to anticipate .
My dad had a way of communicating expectations without sugar-coating them. If he said, “Working with you is like working by myself,” that wasn’t a compliment — it was a challenge. It meant I needed to be more proactive. If I wanted to be truly helpful, I had two choices: know how to do the task (install that hardwood floor), or be observant enough to predict what was coming next. Did he just finish cutting? Then grab the broom. Is the next board already measured? Start lining it up. Being useful meant being in tune. And when we didn’t know the next step — or found ourselves paralyzed by indecision — my dad had another gem: “Let’s do something, even if it’s wrong.” It was his battle cry against overthinking. Better to move forward, fix the mistake, and learn than to sit frozen by analysis. That line has echoed in my head for years, in moments both big and small. It reminds me a lot of our value: We are Doers. “We know that while ideas are important, they are worthless without execution … We focus on results, not just tasks or responsibilities.” That’s not just a business mindset — it’s a way of showing up in the world. Whether you’re hanging siding
Luke and Dad, My Original Boss
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Step into a home where calm meets class; open spaces, quiet elegance, and thoughtful design turn everyday living into a curated experience. Luxury minimalism matches the sleek restraint of minimalism with the richness of high-end materials, creating a calming and refined home. Quality Over Quantity In luxury minimalism, you choose every piece with care. Rather than filling a space with decorations or duplicate furniture, the goal is to curate, not accumulate. This means selecting fewer items but ensuring each is well-crafted, functional, and built to last. When designed with intention, a single, perfectly upholstered armchair can say more than an entire matching set. WHY WE SHOULD CURATE, NOT ACCUMULATE Luxury Minimalism for the Modern Home
STICK WITH IT! Your No-Stress Guide to Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Thanks to peel-and-stick wallpaper, adding a splash of personality to your walls has never been easier. But while the promise of a mess-free application sounds perfect, missteps can quickly turn your DIY into a “Why-Did-I-Try?” moment. Whether accenting one wall or transforming an entire room, these expert tips will help you decorate with professional skill without the stress. Measure With Care Before buying impulsively, carefully measure your wall space and determine how many panels you’ll need. Be sure to order slightly more than you think you’ll use — running out of material mid- project is one of the most common (and frustrating) DIY missteps. Prep Your Wall Start with a clean surface. Use a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt, or oils from the wall and allow it to dry completely. A clean surface helps the wallpaper adhere properly and prevents premature lifting. Gather the Right Tools Gather your gear: a measuring tape, a level, a smoothing tool, a utility knife with a fresh blade, a pencil, and a step ladder. These trusty tools will help you line things up, cut like a pro, and avoid mid-project meltdowns. Create a Guide Line Measure the width of your wallpaper panel and mark it on the wall with a pencil. Use a level to draw a vertical line from the ceiling to the baseboard. This guide will keep your first panel perfectly straight, critical for seamlessly applying the rest of your wallpaper! Match Patterns Carefully For a cohesive look, match the pattern of each new panel with the one before it. Slightly overlap the edges and use the smoothing tool to eliminate bubbles and create a seamless appearance. Ask for Help Although peel-and-stick wallpaper is designed for DIY use, having an extra set of hands can make a major difference. A second person can hold the panel in place while you smooth and trim, ensuring a faster and more accurate application. With the right tools and patience, peel-and-stick wallpaper can be a simple way to transform your space. Take your time, follow these steps, and admire the fresh new look you’ve created!
Timeless Materials Luxury minimalists gravitate toward
natural, enduring elements like warm wood, cool stone, and tranquil bamboo. These elements age beautifully and add character over time, grounding your space in authenticity and durability. The blend of raw and refined textures creates depth without being overwhelming.
A Neutral Palette Color plays a subtle but essential role in this aesthetic. Soft neutrals like cream, taupe, charcoal, and muted grays form the foundation of most luxury minimalist spaces. These hues soothe the mind and allow your eyes to rest, setting a peaceful tone throughout your home. Accents in metallic finishes or rich earth tones can add contrast and sophistication. Purposeful Design and Layout Every object has a role, and every room serves a purpose. Clean lines, open floor plans, and thoughtfully placed furniture help create visual clarity and functional flow. Instead of crowding a space with décor, luxury minimalism encourages breathing room in a space dedicated to your lifestyle. Sustainability With Style This lifestyle also embraces conscious living. By investing in a few high-quality pieces, you create less waste. Luxury minimalism is rooted in sustainability for the environment and for your peace of mind. Overall, luxury minimalism invites you to slow down, declutter with purpose, and surround yourself with beauty that endures. It’s about living intentionally with less noise, more clarity, and a quiet kind of sophistication that never goes out of style.
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Whenever you hear a friend or family member say they’re going to take a road trip to visit some of America’s most beautiful national parks, they usually plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Yosemite. These national parks consistently attract millions of visitors every year, but they’re far from the only must-see national parks in the country. There are 429 protected national sites within the U.S., and 63 of those have obtained the official “national park” designation in their names. (The other labels are battlefields, historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, etc.) If you want to experience the beauty of America without the crowds, consider visiting these destinations during your next vacation! Channel Islands National Park, California Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America, the Channel Islands are a unique area of the coast of Southern California. While visiting, you can expect to see seals, island foxes, and over 2,000 other plant and animal species, with 145 found nowhere else on Earth. You can reach the mainland visitor center in Ventura by car, DITCH THE TOURIST TRAPS 3 National Parks That Are Worth the Detour
but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats. Make reservations in advance. Cuyahoga National Park, Ohio If you want a unique experience, visit Cuyahoga National Park. Like many other national parks, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and photography while exploring the park’s 33,000 acres. You can admire many of the 1,000 species of plants and animals throughout your exploration, but if you want to get the full experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota Exploring a cave might not be your first thought when considering national parks, but Wind Cave is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and has many unique features, such as frostwork, cave popcorn, and boxwork, creating unique sights with every step. Once you head back outside, a beautiful mixed-grass prairie, home to bison, prairie dogs, and more, will greet you.
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
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Inspired by CooktopCove.com
in Hartford or tackling your latest Q3 initiative, being a Doer means taking initiative, staying engaged, and making things happen. Yes, of course, in property management, you need to get it right. That’s a given. But just as importantly, you need it done. Action and execution matter more than flash and ideas. I remember those summers very fondly. They taught me how to show up, how to contribute, and how to keep moving — even when the next step wasn’t perfectly clear. So, this July, as we navigate our own projects and plans, let’s channel a little of that summer-job energy. Let’s do something — even if it’s wrong.
Ingredients
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Juice of 1 lemon
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
P.S. Another oft-spoken line from my father was “Tomorrow never comes.” Another call to action … Now!
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INSIDE
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‘Let’s Do Something, Even if It’s Wrong’
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With Luxury Minimalism, Live Well With Less
Secrets to a Wallpaper Transformation
3
The Parks You’ve Never Heard Of (But Need to Visit)
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
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Fruits and Veggies That Reach New Heights
Vine and Dandy HELP YOUR VERTICAL GARDEN SOAR
Vertical gardening is all about going up, not out — a space- saving, eye-catching way to grow your favorite fruits and veggies. It looks great, makes harvesting easier, and keeps your produce clean and happy. Lucky for you, vertical gardening can produce a variety of tasty harvests!
Tomatoes With a bit of support from a trellis, these juicy beauties will grow tall and proud. Pick the indeterminate varieties and enjoy a tomato parade all season long.
Cucumbers Grow them up a trellis, and you’ll get straight, crisp, dirt-free cukes — perfect for salads or pickles and easy to pluck without scavenging in the dirt.
Squash Lighter varieties like zucchini or acorn squash climb exceptionally well! Just give these squash a little extra support and watch them rise.
Melons Believe it or not, melons can go
Big Ideas for Small Outdoor Spaces
vertical! All they need is a strong trellis and a fruit hammock (yes, that’s a thing).
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